Biography
Grady Champion is a modern Mississippi blues singer, harmonica player, guitarist, songwriter, and producer, known for blending down‑home Delta tradition with soul, gospel, and hints of hip‑hop. Born October 10, 1969, he grew up on a farm in Canton, Mississippi, in a large, religious family as the youngest of his father’s 28 children, discovering his voice in the church choir at age eight.[1][3] As a teenager he moved with his family to Miami, Florida, briefly attending high school there before returning to Mississippi to graduate; at 18 he went back to Florida and entered the music business behind the scenes as a promoter for the rap label Sun Town Records, soon launching a short career as rapper MC Gold before realizing his natural affinity for the blues.[1]
In his early 20s Champion deepened his understanding of the business side of music while working about five years for FJH Music under Frank J. Hackinson, former president of Columbia Pictures, an experience he later credited with teaching him how to build a sustainable career.[1] After taking up harmonica in the mid‑1990s, he self‑released his debut blues album "Goin’ Back Home" in 1998 and was quickly signed by Shanachie Records, which issued "Payin’ for My Sins" (1999) and "2 Days Short of a Week" (2001), records that announced him as a rising contemporary blues voice.[1][2] His songwriting gained national recognition when "Trust Yourself," co‑written with Kevin Bowe, appeared on Etta James’s Grammy‑winning album "Let’s Roll" (Best Contemporary Blues Album) and on her Blues Music Award–winning Soul/Blues Album of the Year in 2003–2004.[1] Champion continued releasing albums on his own GSM/Grady Shady imprints—including "Back in Mississippi: Live at the 930 Blues Café" (2008), "Dreamin’" (2011), and "Tough Times Don’t Last" (2013)—and in 2010 he won the International Blues Challenge, expanding his touring across the U.S., Canada, and Europe and securing slots at major events such as the Chicago Blues Festival, Legendary Blues Cruise, and Portland Waterfront Blues Festival.[1][4]
By the mid‑2010s Champion had become one of the key figures carrying forward authentic Mississippi and soul‑blues. In 2013 he signed with Jackson‑based Malaco Records and released "Bootleg Whiskey" (2014), followed by "One of a Kind" in 2016, his tenth album overall and a statement of his distinctive mix of gritty storytelling, socially conscious lyrics, and crowd‑pleasing showmanship.[1][4][6] Critics and fans have compared his harmonica style and vocal delivery to classic artists like Sonny Boy Williamson, yet he stands out for folding hip‑hop cadences and modern R&B grooves into a traditional framework.[1][3][5] Performing roughly 180 shows a year at one point, Champion built a reputation as a dynamic entertainer whose cross‑over appeal links predominantly white traditional‑blues audiences and predominantly Black soul‑blues fans, helping to keep Mississippi blues vibrant for a new generation.[1][4][6]
Fun Facts
- Champion grew up as the youngest of his father’s 28 children on a farm in Canton, Mississippi, and first sang publicly in the church choir at just eight years old.[1]
- Before becoming known as a bluesman, he worked as a rap promoter in Florida and briefly recorded as a rapper under the name MC Gold, later folding hip‑hop elements into his blues.[1]
- His songwriting reached a global audience when Etta James recorded "Trust Yourself," a song he co‑wrote with Kevin Bowe; the album it appeared on won both a Grammy Award and a Blues Music Award.[1]
- In 2010 he won the prestigious International Blues Challenge, a turning point that led to expanded touring across the U.S., Canada, and Europe and solidified his reputation as a leading contemporary Mississippi blues artist.[1][4]
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Frank J. Hackinson - Music‑business mentor while Champion worked at FJH Music, where he learned the "ins and outs" of the industry and how to develop his career. (Business work at FJH Music (not specific recordings)) [circa early–mid 1990s (about five years starting when Champion was around 24)]
- Etta James - Major artistic inspiration and validator of his songwriting; her recording of his co‑written song "Trust Yourself" boosted his profile in the contemporary blues world. (Etta James – "Let’s Roll" (includes "Trust Yourself")) [Song released 2003; awards 2003–2004]
- Sonny Boy Williamson (comparison/influence) - Champion’s singing and harmonica playing have been compared to Sonny Boy Williamson, indicating a strong stylistic influence from the classic Delta and post‑war blues tradition. (General stylistic influence on harmonica tone, phrasing, and vocal approach) [Influence noted in profiles from the 2000s onward]
Key Collaborators
- Kevin Bowe - Songwriting collaborator; co‑wrote "Trust Yourself," which became a Grammy‑ and Blues Music Award–recognized track when recorded by Etta James. (Song: "Trust Yourself" (appearing on Etta James – "Let’s Roll")) [Early 2000s (song released 2003)]
- Malaco Records production team - Studio and label collaborators shaping his Malaco‑era sound on modern Mississippi and soul‑blues releases. (Albums: "Bootleg Whiskey" (2014), "One of a Kind" (2016)) [2013–2016 and onward]
- Shanachie Records staff and session musicians - Early‑career label and studio collaborators who helped craft his breakthrough electric and soul‑blues recordings. (Albums: "Payin’ for My Sins" (1999), "2 Days Short of a Week" (2001)) [Late 1990s–early 2000s]
Artists Influenced
- Younger Mississippi and soul‑blues performers (various) - Champion is frequently cited as a modern torch‑bearer for Mississippi blues whose blend of traditional harp, soul vocals, and contemporary influences has provided a model for emerging regional artists, especially after his International Blues Challenge win. (Influence reflected in regional live circuits and contemporary Mississippi blues recordings (no specific artists definitively documented in sources).) [2010s onward]
Connection Network
External Links
Heard on WWOZ
Grady Champion has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 24, 2025 | 14:21 | Blues On Christmasfrom Back In Mississippi LIVE | Sittin' at the Crossroadw/ Big D |