Grady (band)

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Grady
Gordie and Big Ben of Grady performing live in 2006
Background information
Origin	Austin, Texas, United States
Genre(s)	Hard rock, Southern rock, Texas blues
Years active	2003–present
Label(s)	Universal Music, Voices of Wonder, Textone
Associated acts	Big Sugar Double Trouble
Website	www.shadygrady.net
Members
Gordie Johnson Ben Richardson Nina Singh
Former members
Chris Layton Billy Maddox

Grady is a blues-rock band from Austin, Texas.

[edit] History

Grady originally consisted of vocalist and guitarist Gordie Johnson (now known as "Grady" Johnson), bass guitarist Ben Richardson, and Chris Layton on drums. Prior to Grady, Johnson was the frontman for Big Sugar, Chris Layton was the drummer for Stevie Ray Vaughan's Double Trouble rhythm section, and Ben was with The Phantoms in Toronto.

Grady usually plays at The Continental Club, but 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 issu of a second album, Cup of Cold Poison, Grady made two extensive tours in Canada early in 2008.

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with Alien Love Child and The Eric Johnson Band.When Billy had some health problems, he resigned from the band, and has been replaced by Austin-based Vancouver-raised drummer Nina Singh.

In 2006, Grady shot a video for “Woman Got My Devil” which is currently on light rotation 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.

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 Singh of Austin based band Kitty Gordon. They also made-up the dates that had to be dropped due to Maddox's illness.

The band released a single for "You’re What’s Happening Baby", and the video for the song was shot by award-winning director Stephen Scott.