Candi Staton

Early Life and Career Born in Hanceville, Alabama, Candi Staton moved to Nashville, Tennessee, at around 11 or 12 years old with her sister Maggie to attend school. At Jewell Christian Academy, her vocal talents were quickly recognized, leading to the formation of the Jewell Gospel Trio with her sister and Naomi Harrison. The trio toured the gospel circuit in the 1950s, performing with notable figures like the Soul Stirrers, C. L. Franklin, and Mahalia Jackson, and recorded for labels such as Nashboro, Apollo, and Savoy Records. Solo Career In 1968, introduced by Clarence Carter to Rick Hall, Staton began her solo career at FAME Studios, becoming known as the "First Lady of Southern Soul" for her hits "Stand by Your Man" and "In the Ghetto". She appeared on Soul Train in 1972 and shifted to disco in 1976 with hits like "Young Hearts Run Free", which topped the US R&B charts and reached No. 2 in the UK. Other UK hits included "Nights on Broadway" and "Honest I Do Love You". Transition to Gospel and Later Career In 1982, Staton returned to gospel music, founding Beracah Ministries in Atlanta with her husband. She recorded twelve gospel albums, two earning Grammy nominations. Staton’s 1991 collaboration with The Source on "You Got the Love" returned her to the UK charts. Subsequent albums include *Here's a Blessing* (2000), *His Hands* (2006), and *Who's Hurting Now?* (2009). She reunited with Rick Hall for the 2014 album *Life Happens*. Her 30th album, *Unstoppable* (2018), received praise for its retro psychedelic R&B style.