Grady (band)
Encyclopedia
Grady is a cowboy metal band based in Austin, Texas
.
(now known as "Grady" Johnson), Canadian bass guitarist "Big" Ben Richardson, and Chris Layton on drums. Prior to Grady, Johnson was the frontman for Big Sugar
, Layton was the drummer for Stevie Ray Vaughan
's Double Trouble rhythm section, and Richardson was with The Phantoms in Toronto.
Grady often plays at The Continental Club, and did an eight stop Canadian tour in March 2005, and appeared at the University of Regina
to play a free show in September 2005. This was followed up by a full-length album called Y.U. So Shady?. After the issue of a second album, A Cup of Cold Poison, Grady made two extensive tours in Canada early in 2008.
The band caught the attention of Jello Biafra
of The Dead Kennedys who released Y.U. So Shady? in America.
Chris Layton was replaced on drums by Billy Maddox in early 2006. Billy Maddox is also a veteran of the music scene, having played with Alien Love Child and The Eric Johnson Band
.
In 2006, Grady shot a video for “Woman Got My Devil” which was played in Canada on MuchMoreMusic
. Produced by Michael Maxxis and directed by David Hogan, the video features Witchbaby from A&E
's Rollergirls
, as well as a number of other Rollergirls in supporting roles. It was shot in Luck, Texas, an 1800s Western town owned by Willie Nelson
.
In 2007, Grady released their second album, entitled A Cup of Cold Poison, which was recorded at Willie Nelson's Pedernales Studio. The album features appearances by Willie Nelson, Alejandro Escovedo
and Ron Hynes
. The band released a single for "You’re What’s Happening Baby".
In September 2007 drummer Billy Maddox left Grady due to a pre-existing health condition. The band began touring again in November 2007 with a new drummer, Nina "The Queena" Singh of Austin based band Kitty Gordon
.
Grady's next full-length album, Good As Dead, was released in Canada on C12 Records in 2009. The album contains a cover version of The Tragically Hip
's "Boots or Hearts", which Gordie Johnson described as "volatile", as well as the eponymous "Good as Dead", penned by Johnson. The record showcases the "Cowboy Metal" sound and features backup vocals by drummer Nina Singh.
In April 2010, Gordie Johnson made his directorial debut when he wrote and directed the video for "If I Was King" on location in Texas. It is dedicated to Johnson's life-long friend, comedian Eric Tunney.
Grady released the live DVD/CD during the "Calling All My Demons" tour in Fall 2010. Footage for the DVD was requested by Gordie Johnson from all in attendance at Grady's October 2009 show at the Pyramid Cabaret in Winnipeg
, Manitoba.
In August 2011 drummer Nina "The Queena" Singh left Grady to join Court Yard Hounds
. Drummer Trinidad Leal from Dixie Witch
has been working with the band since.
While considered an "American" band by location of establishment, most members of Grady are Canadian.
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
.
History
Grady originally consisted of Canadian vocalist and guitarist Gordie JohnsonGordie Johnson
Gordie Johnson is a Canadian musician, best known as the front man for the reggae-rock band Big Sugar, and later southern rock band Grady.-Biography:...
(now known as "Grady" Johnson), Canadian bass guitarist "Big" Ben Richardson, and Chris Layton on drums. Prior to Grady, Johnson was the frontman for Big Sugar
Big Sugar
Big Sugar is a Canadian blues-rock band, they were active from 1991 to 2004 and again since April 2010. The band has sold more than half a million albums in Canada.-History:...
, Layton was the drummer for Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stephen Ray "Stevie Ray" Vaughan was an American electric blues guitarist and singer. He was the younger brother of Jimmie Vaughan and frontman for Double Trouble, a band that included bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton. Born in Dallas, Vaughan moved to Austin at the age of 17 and...
's Double Trouble rhythm section, and Richardson was with The Phantoms in Toronto.
Grady often plays at The Continental Club, and did an eight stop Canadian tour in March 2005, and appeared at the University of Regina
University of Regina
The University of Regina is a public research university located in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Founded in 1911 as a private denominational high school of the Methodist Church of Canada, it began an association with the University of Saskatchewan as a junior college in 1925, and was disaffiliated...
to play a free show in September 2005. This was followed up by a full-length album called Y.U. So Shady?. After the issue of a second album, A Cup of Cold Poison, Grady made two extensive tours in Canada early in 2008.
The band caught the attention of Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra
Jello Biafra is an American musician, spoken word artist and leading figure of the Green Party of the United States. Biafra first gained attention as the lead singer and songwriter for San Francisco punk rock band Dead Kennedys...
of The Dead Kennedys who released Y.U. So Shady? in America.
Chris Layton was replaced on drums by Billy Maddox in early 2006. Billy Maddox is also a veteran of the music scene, having played with Alien Love Child and The Eric Johnson Band
Eric Johnson
Eric Johnson is an American guitarist. Though he is best known for his success in the instrumental rock format, Johnson regularly incorporates jazz, fusion, gospel and country and western music into his recordings...
.
In 2006, Grady shot a video for “Woman Got My Devil” which was played in Canada on MuchMoreMusic
MuchMoreMusic
MuchMore is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media, based at 299 Queen Street West in Toronto, Ontario....
. Produced by Michael Maxxis and directed by David Hogan, the video features Witchbaby from A&E
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
's Rollergirls
Rollergirls
Rollergirls is a 2006 A&E Network reality show examining the personalities, antics and motivations of the women involved with the Austin, Texas Lonestar Rollergirls roller derby league. According to their website, the league was founded in 2001 and is run as a "skater-owned and operated" company...
, as well as a number of other Rollergirls in supporting roles. It was shot in Luck, Texas, an 1800s Western town owned by Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized...
.
In 2007, Grady released their second album, entitled A Cup of Cold Poison, which was recorded at Willie Nelson's Pedernales Studio. The album features appearances by Willie Nelson, Alejandro Escovedo
Alejandro Escovedo
Alejandro Escovedo is an American singer-songwriter.-Biography:The son of Mexican immigrants to Texas, Escovedo is from a family that boasts several professional musicians, including brothers Coke Escovedo and Pete Escovedo, and Sheila E...
and Ron Hynes
Ron Hynes
Ron Hynes is a popular folk singer-songwriter from Newfoundland. He is especially known for his composition "Sonny's Dream," which has been recorded worldwide by many artists and was named the 41st greatest Canadian song of all time on the 2005 CBC Radio One series 50 Tracks: The Canadian...
. The band released a single for "You’re What’s Happening Baby".
In September 2007 drummer Billy Maddox left Grady due to a pre-existing health condition. The band began touring again in November 2007 with a new drummer, Nina "The Queena" Singh of Austin based band Kitty Gordon
Kitty Gordon
Kitty Gordon was an actress both on stage and in silent film.Her first professional stage appearance was at the Princes Theatre in Bristol in 1901 in the touring production of San Toy....
.
Grady's next full-length album, Good As Dead, was released in Canada on C12 Records in 2009. The album contains a cover version of The Tragically Hip
The Tragically Hip
The Tragically Hip, often referred to simply as The Hip, is a Canadian rock band from Kingston, Ontario, consisting of Gordon Downie , Paul Langlois , Rob Baker , Gord Sinclair and Johnny Fay . Since their formation in 1983 they have released 12 studio albums, two live albums, and 46 singles...
's "Boots or Hearts", which Gordie Johnson described as "volatile", as well as the eponymous "Good as Dead", penned by Johnson. The record showcases the "Cowboy Metal" sound and features backup vocals by drummer Nina Singh.
In April 2010, Gordie Johnson made his directorial debut when he wrote and directed the video for "If I Was King" on location in Texas. It is dedicated to Johnson's life-long friend, comedian Eric Tunney.
Grady released the live DVD/CD during the "Calling All My Demons" tour in Fall 2010. Footage for the DVD was requested by Gordie Johnson from all in attendance at Grady's October 2009 show at the Pyramid Cabaret in Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, Manitoba.
In August 2011 drummer Nina "The Queena" Singh left Grady to join Court Yard Hounds
Court Yard Hounds
Court Yard Hounds is an American country music and folk duo founded by sisters Martie Maguire and Emily Robison. They, along with Natalie Maines, make up the Dixie Chicks, which went on hiatus in 2008. Maguire and Robison became eager to record again in 2009, but Maines said she didn't feel...
. Drummer Trinidad Leal from Dixie Witch
Dixie Witch
Dixie Witch is a Texas based hard rock power trio formed by guitarist Clayton Mills, drummer/vocalist Trinidad Leal, and bassist/vocalist Curt Christensen in the fall of 1999. The band quickly gained popularity throughout Texas though successful regional touring and released their self-produced...
has been working with the band since.
While considered an "American" band by location of establishment, most members of Grady are Canadian.