Houston Rhythm and Blues Bands

An early merger of the country music of Hank Williams and the gospel of the Soul Stirrers gave us the R&B of Ray Charles, which in turn spawned the 50’s R&B of James Brown and Sam Cooke, the 60’s soul of Wilson Pickett and Aretha Franklin, and the late 60’s funk of Sly & the Family Stone. The 70’s brought in the funk of George Clinton,the soul of the Spinners and the Commodores, the disco of Chic and Sister Sledge. This gave way in the 80’s to the dance music of Michael Jackson and the Gap Band, the 90’s dance music of Janet Jackson and Boys 2 Men, and the hip hop of the new millenium.

14 Karat Gold

Bayou Funk Experiment

Grady Gaines & the Texas Upsetters >

Hotwax

Jimmy Dotson

Ken Mondshine & Brotherhood

Yvonne Washington & the Mix

Grady Gaines & the Texas Upsetters

Grady was saxophonist and bandleader for Peacock Records’ Don Robey when he met Little Richard and became leader of the Upsetters. They recorded many classics like "Long Tall Sally", and "Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On," and when Richard (temporarily) retired, Grady was hired by Sam Cooke to lead his band. After Cooke’s death, Grady continued to play all the great houses like The Apollo and the Palladium, backing up Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Bo Diddley, Etta James, Jackie Wilson and many, many others. When Grady came off the road, he returned to Houston for some years, but the force of disco in the 80’s moved Grady to tour Europe, and to play festivals. Starting again in the early 90’s, Grady re-formed the Upsetters, and has been playing private parties, clubs, and festivals ever since. His music is authentic, soulful and represents the best music from 6 decades - Grady is the real deal.