GRAYSON HUGH

Shortly after the release of my major label debut album "Blind To Reason" in September of 1988, film director Nancy Savoca called RCA Records with a request. She wanted to know if I would consider recording the soul classic "How Bout Us" to be featured in a film she was just about to release called "True Love". It starred Anabella Sciorra, in her debut role, and Ron Eldard and was the story of a young Italian-American couple from the Bronx, a neighborhood Ms. Savoca knew intimately, having grown up there.

She said it was important to have a 70s soul hit playing in a love scene because that's the music this couple knew and loved. She thought of "How Bout Us" by the band Champaign. Having heard my album, she thought my voice would fit perfectly, as she told me later.

My producers and I thought a duet with a well known female soul singer would be a great approach for this song. When they asked me who I'd like to sing it with, I though of Betty Wright, having always loved her hit "Clean Up Woman" from 1972.

We contacted Ms. White and she agreed to record it, flying up to New York from her home in Miami. The resulting single became a major hit on R & B radio in 1990. As a result of its popularity, "How Bout Us" was added to additional pressings of "Blind To Reason". RCA wanted to do a music video and suggested New Orleans-based Jim Gabour. In April of 1990, during a month long break from touring, I flew to New Orleans. The video was filmed in one unbroken steadicam shot and its distinctive style earned it a nomination for Best R & B Music Video at the 1990 New York International Film Festival where Jim Gabour was also a Grand Award/Gold Medal winner.

Years later, I had a very pleasant phone conversation with Dana Walden, who wrote "How Bout Us". I told him how much I always enjoyed the song, its chords and lyrics. He thanked me and told me how much he liked my version with Betty Wright.

Speaking of her, I was deeply saddened to hear of her passing on May 10, 2020. I had recently had a long talk with her on the phone, where she told me "Grayson, I am glad you're still alive. I thought the music business was gonna eat you up." I thanked her, adding that I was too stubborn for anything other than to just keep on keepin' on.

May may God be good to her soul, and bless her family and all her fans who loved her powerful, eloquent soulful voice.