Steppin’ In: A Tribute to ZZ Hill will be released by Malaco Records be on April 26, 2019.

Mississippi-based, award-winning artist, Grady Champion, has been captivating audiences for over two decades. Champion has been the winner of prestigious Grammy and Blues Music Awards as well as the recipient of the 26th International Blues Challenge.

Born October 10, 1969 on a farm in Canton, Mississippi. The youngest of his father’s 28 children, Grady joined his church choir at the age of eight. Hi first professional foray into entertainment was as a promoter for the rap label Sun Town Records. By the early 90s he embarked on a brief career as a rapper, performing under the moniker MC Gold. However, he soon discovered that he had a natural talent for the blues, and he incorporated hip-hop into blues music. After learning to play the harmonica, Grady released his first album, the self- released Goin’ Back Home (1998.) He was quickly scooped up by Shanachie Records, with whom he released Payin’ for My Sins (1999), and 2 Days Short of a Week (2001). In 2003, Champion and Kevin Bowe co-write “Trust Yourself” which was included on Etta James’ album Let’s Roll (2003) and winner of a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album in addition to a Blues Music Award as the Soul/Blues Album of 2004.