Champ Hood

Champ Hood came to prominence in the early 70s with Uncle Walt's Band, fondly known as "The Bluegrass Beatles." When Walter Hyatt and David Ball went solo, Champ went group, and he became a great sideman and a wonderful bandleader. Leading the Threadgill's Troubadours Champ presented many of Austin's best musicians to happy people eating good food, and he took his own turns at the microphone as well. The two Threadgill's Supper Sessions albums were the only real Champ Hood records until now, but there are lots of Champ's recordings to savor. He was an extraordinary session man on over 50 albums, ranging from one track to being a band member on all the tracks. Champ's live performances were cherished by people who loved him not just for his playing, but for the man he was. He played his Tuesday gig with Toni Price right up until the end, and his chair is now part of the Continental Club's shrine that includes Mambo's Washboard and Shoeshine Charlie's chair. His son Warren Hood will carry Champ's legacy and his fiddle into the future.