Candi Staton
March 13, 1940
2014 Inductee

A native of Hanceville, AL., Candi Staton has received Grammy nominations in both Rhythm and Blues and Gospel categories during her illustrious career. She began traveling with the Jewell Gospel Trio at age 13.

Her secular career began in Muscle Shoals where she recorded classic rhythm and blues hits such as "Stand By Your Man", and "I'd Rather Be An Old Man's Sweetheart (Than A Young Man's Fool)" for Capitol Records under the direction of Rick Hall at FAME Recording Studios.

Moving on to other labels, Miss Staton recorded the million sellers "Young Hearts Run Free" and "Disco Hit Victim". She has shared the stage with artists such as Mac Davis, Al Green, Bobby Womack, Freda Payne, Ashford and Simpson, B.B. King, Boz Scaggs, Little Richard, The Commodores, Johnny Mathis and Donny Hathaway.

In 1979, Miss Staton was a special guest of President Jimmy Carter during the Black Music Association Dinner on the White House lawn, along with Andrae Crouch, Joe Williams and Chuck Berry.

In 1980, she began her move into gospel music, and has since created her own label and established a long running television series, "New Direction", on the Trinity Broadcasting Network.