Chad Gray, born on October 16, 1971, in Decatur, Illinois, is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lead vocalist for the heavy metal bands Mudvayne and Hellyeah. Throughout his time with heavy metal bands like Mudvayne and Hellyeah, the singer released a total of 11 studio albums.
Having a love for music from an early age, Chad Gray used that fascination to nurture a promising career in music. Not bad for a kid from a small Illinois town who once worked at a tire factory. While Chad Gray is often surrounded by thousands when on stage with Mudvayne or Hellyeah, he's often performing for more people than the population of his tiny hometown. Gray originally grew up in Latham, Illinois.
Early Life and Influences
Chad Gray was born to Dan and Mitzi Davis in Decatur, Illinois. Taking fans on a trip into the past, Gray detailed how his mother helped support his love for bands like The Eagles and Led Zeppelin. “My mom had me when she was 17 years old. So, I would cruise the strip with my mom and her friends, and fucking Peter Frampton and The Ealges and [Led] Zeppelin, that was what was on the radio.” He added, “So I grew up in a very musical household, because my mom was still young and it was basically the classic rock era in real time."
Although spending days listening to iconic music with his mother, nothing moved Gray like Mötley Crüe. “I’m telling you f**king what - nothing touched me like, man, the first [time I heard MÖTLEY CRÜE’s ‘Live Wire’].” Appearing on The Jesea Lee Show, Gray juggled numerous questions about his time in the music industry. But one question that stuck out was about the music that changed him. The musician didn’t hesitate, answering, “My first, my cutting-teeth metal record - it’s so weird even say the band name now considering what’s going on with that band - MÖTLEY CRÜE ‘Too Fast For Love’.”
The Formation of Mudvayne
Before pursuing music full-time, Gray worked at a factory job in Florida, earning $40,000 annually. Gray quit his factory job that paid $40,000 a year to move to Peoria, Illinois and formed Mudvayne. Mudvayne’s debut album, L.D. 50, released in 2000, achieved unexpected success, selling over half a million copies within a year. The band's first album, L.D. 50, earned gold certification.
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Hellyeah: A Supergroup
In 2006, Gray co-founded the heavy metal supergroup Hellyeah, further showcasing his versatility as a vocalist. Gray became friends with Nothingface guitarist Tom Maxwell, and they talked about the possibility of forming a supergroup. The following year, Nothingface toured with Mudvayne and talks to form the supergroup continued, although they were constantly put on hold due to scheduling conflicts.
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. The band knew former Pantera and Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul, and tried to persuade him to join the band as their drummer. The band's persistence paid off and Paul joined the project.
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." Gray spent a decade and a half fronting HELLYEAH, which released its sixth studio album, "Welcome Home", in September 2019 via Eleven Seven Music.
Personal Life and Sobriety
Chad Gray is married to Shannon Gunz, a radio host known for her work with SiriusXM’s Octane, Turbo, and Ozzy’s Boneyard channels. Gray was previously married to Kelli Olson in 2005. Last summer, MUDVAYNE frontman Chad Gray celebrated two years since he quit drinking. The 52-year-old musician, who was born in Illinois but currently resides in Las Vegas with his wife Shannon Gunz, a radio host for several SiriusXM channels, opened up about his battle with the bottle in a new interview with the "Scandalous" podcast.
He said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I really don't talk about it, and I really haven't talked about it - this would be the first time I talked about it - but I quit drinking two years and 10 months ago. This probably will be the most vocal I've been about it, in this podcast or whatever. I'd mentioned it, but I haven't really talked about it."
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Chad added: "But that was my whole thing. So all through my 20s and shit. And then I get in a band and then we start touring and that fucking lifestyle. And I just embraced the fuck out of it - drink, drink, drink, drink, drink as much as I could drink, some drugs. But it just continued to grow and grow and grow and grow and grow. There are different relationships that I had or whatever that were just fucking blown up. I'm quite sure that my drinking had something to do with it. It might not have been the full-blown reason, but it was definitely in the ballpark. It was definitely something that added to it."
Musical Style and Legacy
MUDVAYNE formed in 1996 and has sold over six million records worldwide, earning gold certification for three albums ("L.D. 50", "The End Of All Things To Come", "Lost And Found"). The band is known for its sonic experimentation, innovative album art, face and body paint, masks and uniforms. MUDVAYNE is Gray, Greg Tribbett (guitar, backing vocals),Matthew McDonough (drums, synthesizer) and Ryan Martinie (bass).
Throughout his career, Gray has participated in various charitable events and initiatives, using his platform to support causes close to his heart. Whether it has been fronting Mudvayne and Hellyeah or working behind the scenes, Gray has kept a full schedule within the music industry. This wealth primarily stems from his successful music career, including album sales, touring, and merchandise.
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