Grady Champion
“Mississippi’s Champion Of The Blues”
When discussing the Blues Grady Champion’s story carries an air of familiarity. Born the youngest of 28 children, growing up on a farm in Canton Mississippi, and joining the church choir at the tender age of 8. All leading to an expected progression of Champion taking his natural talent and honing his skills for a life in the Blues. But it takes an abrupt detour in that Champion’s first love and subsequent endeavours were focused on Rap.
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In fact it wasn’t until Champion hit his early 20’s, and spurred by disenchantment of the whole Rap scene, that he turned his attention to Blues. That led to Grady purchasing his first harmonica; and after countless gigs, 6 CD’s, and various awards and nominations there’s been no looking back for the singer / harp player / guitar player / songwriter.
Champion can best be described as a rough and tough shouter laying down a wide range of authentic and soulful Blues in the traditional style. Even his new songs are in the old school mode. But that’s not to vilify his artistry because regardless of style Champion has shown an abundance of talent and commitment that have not gone unnoticed.
Champion had been working the Blues circuit, (primarily in Mississippi and Florida), for close to 20 years when he won the 2010 International Blues Challenge in Memphis. That achievement brought him immediate recognition coupled with higher profile gigs including major festival dates in Canada and the U.S.
The high point of his recorded work to date is the 2013 Release Tough Times Don’t Last that garnered Champion 2 Blues Music Award nominations: “Best Soul / Blues Album” and “Song Of The Year” for “Thank You For Giving Me The Blues”.
The above accomplishments certainly carry a lot of weight but Champion isn’t about to sit on his laurels. He continues to tour relentlessly and writes constantly, ensuring that there are going to be more interesting chapters in the Grady Champion story.
