Quick Facts
Biography
Stann Champion (born May 16, 1952) is an American born guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer. His songs are being digitally distributed internationally by VP Records.
Early life
Champion was born in Pittsburgh, PA. He attended Chicago Public School and Chicago Art Institute Junior School. While attending college and working in the advertising field, he performed and promoted street concerts, plus performed for clients of the ad agency he worked for. Offers to participate in more musical projects were forthcoming and this prompted him to start his own publishing company.
Career
Before graduating from Chicago’s Columbia College, Champion went to work at a couple of Michigan Ave ad agencies in the day and playing music at night. He was approached by a songwriter from the island of St Kitts to record at Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Studio in Kingston, Jamaica. With Gypsi in 1982, he recorded his first release titled “The Girls” for Obvio Records at Paul Serrano Studios in Chicago. Gypsi-Fari also won the first awards from the Chicago Music Awards in 1982.
After leaving Gypsi in 1982, Champion returned to the private sector and was recruited for a band to back Jamaican singer/songwriter Carlean Davis for her North American tour. Her EP release featured two songs written by Champion, and was reviewed in the “College Musical Journal” (CMJ). Soon after college stations nationwide were requesting promo copies for programming.
Champion chose to form his own group and established Roots Rock Society (RRS). With RRS, members could come and go, but the project would remain intact. With RRS, Champion created his “Tropical Roots” sound with the release of “Again”, a four-song EP co-produced by David Axelbaum who worked with (Bob Seeger, Peter Frampton, Johnny Winters and Koko Taylor) that reached over 250 radio stations worldwide.
Stann Champion Radio Show
- WNUR Chicago's Sound Experiment 89.3 FM
- Stann Champion Show - Mondays 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (Central)
Discography
- Gypsi-Fari - Hail Jah '45 (1981 Sonic Sounds)
- Stann Champion Roots Rock Society 'Cassette (1987 RRS International)
- Bass Mint Sessions 'Cassette (1991 RRS International)
- Again 'Compact Disk (1994 RRS International)
- Riddim to Riddim 'Compact Disk (2007 RRS International)
- La Familia 'Compact Disk (2010 RRS International)
- Cost of Living 'Compact Disk (2013 RRS International)
- TimeBless 'Compact Disk (2015 RRS International)
- Paradise Love 'Compact Disk (2016 VP Records)
- See Me 'Compact Disk (2016 VP Records)
Awards and nominations
- 1980 “Playing for Peace Award” Kingston Jamaica
- 1982 “Best Band”, Gypsi- Fari Chicago Music Awards (CMA)
- 1984 “Best New Band” , Safari CMA
- 1985 “Best Band”, Safari CMA
- 1989 “Most Versatile Band”, Roots Rock Society (RRS)
- 1990 RRS Received Certificate of “Special Recognition” from Lucent Technologies
- 1993 RRS nominated “Best Roots and Reggae”, Illinois Entertainer
- 1994 “Best Gospel/Spiritual Entertainer”, RRS CMA
- 1995 “Best Gospel Entertainer”, RRS CMA
- 1996 “Best Band”, RRS CMA
- 1997 “Most Versatile Band”, RRS CMA
- 2002 “Producers Award” for Stann Champion CMA
- 2002 “Best Reggae Album/CD” for “Riddim to Riddim” CMA
- 2007 RRS awarded “Best Entertainer” by CMA
- 2008 RRS awarded “Best Entertainer” by CMA
- 2015 Awarded Certificate of Appreciation for Community Leadership by Chatham Avalon Park Community Council
- 2016 Awarded “Gresham 6 Award” for community service by 6th District
- 2016 Awarded “Lifetime Achievement Award” for over 35 years serving both Entertainment and communities