Biography
My Music and Me
In the beginning, I didn't know what life held for me; but, I did know that I loved music and people. So, a little about my journey and how I came to know that music would be my life:
My first encounter with music, as a professional, was as a rapper. As MC Gold, I rapped, “I Be Dog Gone”, a Miami Bass Tune, which I released (under my own label, Champion Records, Inc.), in the early 90’s. Though my career as a rapper was brief, I really enjoyed it. I performed in clubs and on Black Gold, a local TV show in Jackson, Mississippi, hosted by Lee King.
In 1993, I was introduced to traditional Blues, while living in Miami. I began programming and writing raps to Blues samples. I entered the McDonald's Music Festival and was runner-up, rapping the Blues. The producer of the event, Milana Beamon, asked me to enter the following year and sing the Blues. I began to buy and listen to traditional Blues artists, like Sony Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf and many others. I went to Tobacco Road, the oldest club in Miami. I sang at the Monday Night Blues Jam, which was hosted by the legendary band, Iko, Iko. The bandleader, Graham Drout, played a big part in my understanding of the timing of singing the Blues.
At the 1994 McDonald's Music Festival, I sang the Blues, backed by Iko, Iko. In front of a crowd of 10,000 people, I won first place, singing, “You Dawn Right I Got the Blues,” a Buddy Guy song. I then realized, that in addition to singing, I wanted to play an instrument. I bought my first harmonica, at ABE Music, in North Miami. I began practicing blowing the harp and sleeping with Sonny Boy Williamson CDs playing all night long. Once I asked a local harp player to teach me some licks on the harp. He told me that not everyone who owned a harp could play one. So, I went to work, learning to play the harmonica on my own.
In 1994, I went to work for FJH Music, a music publishing company in Fort Lauderdale. On weekends, I went to various Blues events. In 1996, I was in Memphis, at the WC Handy Blues Awards and had the chance to play on The Blues Cruise. I was on deck while Charlie Musselwhite played on the real stage. I played the harmonica and sang, backed by Hawkeye Herman on acoustic guitar. We watched as we attracted a crowd from the Musselwhite show.
In 1998, I recorded my first blues CD, entitled, “Goin' Back Home” (on my own label, Grady Shady Music, Inc.), which received great reviews. Shortly after the release of my CD, I signed my first recording deal with Shanachie Entertainment. They put me in touch with producer and songwriter, Dennis Walker (producer of Robert Cray and others). I flew out to Los Angeles, where we recorded, “Payin’ For My Sins.”
I began touring in 1999 and enjoyed meeting all kinds of people, many of whom became friends and fans of my music. In 2000 and 2001, I toured with Johnny Winters, a great person and musician. In 2001, Shanachie released my third album, “Two Days Short of a Week”, which was very well received.
In 2002, I took a break and relocated back to Canton, Mississippi, where I was born and raised. I went back to school and studied music at Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi, while playing locally with Eddie Cotton. I then decided to revive my career.
I put my band together, “The Grady Champion Revue” and began playing locally to great success. When it was time to record my first live CD and DVD, I decided there was no better place than back home in Mississippi, at the 930 Blues Café.
And here it is!
Grady Champion! July 7, 2007, live at The 930 Blues Café, in front of a sold out crowd.
Instrumentation
Lead Singer, Harmonica/Acoustic Guitar: Grady Champion
Background Singer, Keyboards: Chancelor Cain
Background Singer, Bass Guitar: Marquis Champion
Drums: Xavres Good
Guitar: Jarekus Singeton
Sax:
Discography
1998 Grady Shady Music,Inc., Goin Back Home
1999 Shanachie Ent. Release, Payin for My Sins
2001 Shanachie Ent. Release, 2 Days Short of a Week
2008 Release Date February 12, Back in Mississippi Live at the 930 Blues Cafe