WHFR’s Lady Champagne wins Detroit Music Award

Singer Lady Champagne, who is also a radio host/DJ for WHFR – HFC’s independent radio station – knew she was nominated for the Detroit Music Award for Outstanding Blues Artist for her song “You Don’t Know What Love Is” this spring.

She just didn’t expect to win.

“I was surprised and happy and very honored,” said Champagne, who has worked for WHFR for two years, hosting “The Best of the Blues” on Tuesdays from 5-7:00 p.m.

She continued: “I love working with the public, whether it’s singing or DJing. A friend recommended that I try my hand at DJing. So far, it’s worked out very well.”

WHFR General Manager Susan McGraw agreed.

“Lady Champagne has been a wonderful addition to our WHFR family,” said McGraw. “She possesses smooth creativity, both on the air and off. She is talented and humble, a class act all the way around.”

Singing alongside Motown greats

Music has always been an important part of Champagne’s education and life. Born Elaine Page in Louisiana, Champagne began singing at a very young age, inspired by her mother, who was always singing. When she was 12, she performed in talent shows, along with the school glee club and church choir.

At age 14, Champagne and her family moved to the west side of Detroit, where she attended and graduated from Northwestern High School. She went to some of the most popular blues clubs and night clubs in Detroit, including The 20 Grand, Ethel’s Lounge, Henry's Palace, and the Phelps Lounge “to see and hear what the blues was really talking about.”

Throughout it all, Champagne kept singing and kept studying the craft. She found herself sharing the stage with renowned blues musicians Johnnie Taylor, Bobby Blue Bland, Tyrone Davis, as well as the legendary B.B. King and Motown legend Martha Reeves.

“Thanks to one of my family members, I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to meet and share the stage with some great artists,” said Champagne. “Singing with them, especially B.B. King and Martha Reeves, were some of the high points in my life.”

Champagne joined New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit where the late, great Aretha Franklin attended and her father, Rev. C.L. Franklin, was the pastor. She sang in the choir of New Bethel.

“Blues, gospel, and R&B have also been a part of my singing career,” she said. “Combining my love for gospel and blues has awarded me the rich and soulful sound I call my own.”

Champagne provided background vocals for the late Rev. Ortheia Barnes-Kennerly, a jazz singer who opened for Motown legend Stevie Wonder and later entered the ministry. Champagne also opened up for Joe Sample, one of the founding members of the Jazz Crusaders, at Detroit Music Hall.

She appeared in the music video “You Been Cheating on Me” by L.J. Reynolds of the Dramatics. She also sang alongside Dennis Coffey of the Funk Brothers.

Awards and accolades

In 2010, 2013, and 2014, Champagne was nominated for Best Blues Singer from the Detroit Black Music Awards Association. In late 2012, she received the Happy to Have the Blues Award, sponsored through Big City Blues Magazine.

In 2014 Champagne was inducted into the Detroit Blues Hall of Fame for Best Blues Artist. Later that year, Champagne was named Best Blues Singer of the Year by the Detroit Black Music Awards Association, which granted her a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015. In late 2017, she won the MVMA Midwest Video Music Award for Best Blues Performance.

Champagne is also a producer, event planner, and band leader. She is the lead singer of the group called Champagne and the Motor City Blues Crew Band. This is a 5-piece music ensemble with Paul Stewart on bass, Larry Turner on guitar, Rick Jones on keyboards, and Iva Rice on drums. Their latest CD is called “You Don't Know What Love Is.”

“It’s a great CD with a lot of great musicians to spice up the flavor,” she said.

Her band has been seen in numerous night clubs, restaurants, and events all over the Metro Detroit area, including Station 885, Andiamo’s, Rockefeller's, Memphis Smoke, U Detroit Cafe, Rosie O'Grady's, Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, Cobo Hall, the Ritz Carlton, the Greenfield Village Ball Room, the Pontiac Dream Cruise and Classic Cars Festival, and many others.

“I am a member of the Detroit Blues Society, where blues lovers keep the blues alive,” said Champagne. “I can't say enough about all the musicians and singers that I had the pleasure of performing with and venues I've had the pleasure of performing in.”