Chad Gray

Chad Gray (born October 16, 1971) is an American singer and songwriter who is the lead vocalist and co-founder of heavy metal band Hellyeah, as well as the lead vocalist for heavy metal band Mudvayne.

Chad Gray
Gray performing with Hellyeah in 2014
Background information
Also known as
  • Kud
  • Chüd
  • Helvis
Born (1971-10-16) October 16, 1971
Latham, Illinois, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active1996–present
Labels
  • Epic
  • No Name
  • Bullygoat
Associated acts
Websitehellyeahband.com

Career

Mudvayne
Gray performing with Mudvayne

Gray quit his factory job that paid $40,000 a year to move to Peoria, Illinois and formed Mudvayne.[1]

He wrote Mudvayne's "Death Blooms" about his grandmother's disease.[2]

Gray has made several guest appearances with other bands, including on the songs "Monsters" by V Shape Mind,[3] "Falling Backwards" by Bloodsimple[4] and "Miracle" by Nonpoint.[5]

Gray has made an appearance during Mitch Lucker's Memorial Show and sang "Fuck Everything" by Suicide Silence.[6]

Hellyeah

Gray became friends with Nothingface guitarist Tom Maxwell, and they talked about the possibility of forming a supergroup.[7] The following year, Nothingface toured with Mudvayne and talks to form the supergroup continued, although were constantly put on hold due to scheduling conflicts. At this time, Gray and Maxwell had brainstormed five band names.[8]

Gray with Hellyeah in 2008

Mudvayne guitarist Greg Tribbett approached Maxwell "out of the blue" and wanted to join the band. Nothingface drummer Tommy Sickles originally helmed the drum kit for the band's demo, however, things did not work out and the search for a new drummer began.[9] The band knew former Pantera and Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul, and tried to persuade him to join the band as their drummer. Originally, Paul was not sure if he would return to music after the death of his brother, Dimebag Darrell and an 18-month hiatus: "It was one of those things that I didn't think I'd be a part of this ever again without him, and after about a year and a half had gone by, these guys called me up, Chad [Gray] and Tom [Maxwell], they were like, 'We're thinking about putting this band together, would you be into it?' First couple of times, I told them, 'No, I don't think I'm ready to do this yet.' And they just were real persistent, they kept calling me. And one night, I had been drinking some red wine and listening to some KISS on 12" vinyl record and I said, 'You know what, lets take a shot at this, lets see what happens.'"[10]

The band's persistence paid off and Paul joined the project. Paul commented about joining the project: "Everybody had their head in the right place and that let's-tear-the-world-a-new-ass attitude".[11]

Personal life

Gray previously married Kelli Olson in 2005. He is currently married to Shannon Gunz as of 2020,[12] a radio host for several Sirius XM channels including Turbo, Octane and Ozzy's Boneyard.

Discography

Mudvayne
Main article: Mudvayne discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

EPs

  • Kill, I Oughtta (1997) (re-released in 2001 as The Beginning of All Things to End)
  • Live Bootleg (2003)

Hellyeah
Main article: Hellyeah discography

References
  1. "CHAD GRAY on Switching Back And Forth Between MUDVAYNE And HELLYEAH". Blabbermouth.net. December 6, 2007. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  2. "10 Things You Didn't Know About Chad Gray". Loudwire. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
  3. Cul-De-Sac, Republic Records / Universal Records, 2000, retrieved 2018-04-11
  4. Bloodsimple, A Cruel World, retrieved 2018-04-11
  5. "Nonpoint, 'Miracle' — Song Premiere". Noisecreep. Retrieved 2018-04-11.
  6. Ending is the Beginning -The Mitch Lucker Memorial Show, Century Media, 2014-02-18, retrieved 2018-04-11
  7. "Hellyeah - Hellyeah". Allmusic.
  8. "Mudvayne 'On Hiatus' For At Least Two More Years". Blabbermouth.net. November 21, 2011. Archived from the original on January 23, 2012. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  9. Jon Wiederhorn, "Hellyeah: Night Riders", Revolver, March 2007, p. 60-64 (link to Revolver back issues Archived September 28, 2007, at the Wayback Machine)
  10. Williams, Jenna (May 16, 2011). "The Scream Queen Interviews Vinnie Paul of HELLYEAH and Pantera!". TheScreamQueen.com. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  11. Florino, Rick (2007-05-04). "Hellyeah – interview with Vinnie Paul – May 2007". maximumink.com. Archived from the original on 2007-11-06. Retrieved 2007-11-16.
  12. Chad Gray Shannon Gunz (@graygunz). "Instagram post from November 6, 2020". instagram.com. Retrieved 2020-11-26.
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