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The welcome sign entering the great state of Mississippi proudly reads “Birthplace of America’s Music.” And that music is the blues. Evolving from the sad songs of African American slaves, the blues birthed all other popular genres from R&B and rap to pop and country. 

    American music is still kept alive through the music of modern-day bluesmen like Ra’Shad The Blues Kid. Groomed in the same breeding grounds in The Mississippi PineBelt that produced musical greats such as Sam Myers, The Nelson Brothers, and  opera star Leontyne Price, his music is seeped in the down home soul that has been an inspiration to many. The Mississippi Blues Trail marks these historic greats with a Blues Trail Marker in the artists’ HomeTown of Laurel, MS!

   Ra’Shad The Blues Kid is quickly adding his name to the long list of celebrities who came before him. His catalog that is sure to captivate include his rendition of “Ain't No Sunshine” and “Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin”. A few of his singles include  “Singing The Blues”, “Juke”, “Bad Feeling”, and “Good Time”. These are just a few that wont quickly fade from your memory. His memorizing licks and soul-stirring melodies will have you wishing you had found him sooner. His music is truly a testament to his love of the Blues. 

   Born Larry Ra’Shad Lavar McGill and raised in the sleepy town of Laurel, young Ra’Shad was recognized as a unique individual at an early age. In church, he first discovered a love of music from watching the guitarist and keyboard players command the congregation with their every note. The church guitarist, Billy Evans, would allow him to sit with him as he played, and the youngster soaked up each lesson like a sponge. he formed his own group called The Groove Band at the age of 23. They gained regional attention performing live shows and working their way up the ladder through the Southern soul and Blues circuit. 

   Ra’Shad was mastering his craft and growing with his band, he was also growing as an artist. Working with artists such as Krishunda Echols, LaMorris Williams, Napoleon Demps, Kenne Wayne, J-Wonn, Jimmy “Duck”Holmes and Mr. Sipp, he slowly constructed his own musical style. 

He has pushed the music envelope further by participating in jam sessions with Pine Belt area blues legends Tommie “T-Bone” Pruitt and the late Mr. L.C. Ulmer. It was during these sessions with Ulmer that he adopted the name “Blues Kid.”  Under their tutelage, he was forged into the talented singer/ songwriter/ guitarist that he is today. Ra’Shad’s mesmerizing music is an eclectic mix that incorporates today’s contemporary Soul with gusty blues music. Since he stepped on the scene, Ra’Shad has released 3 albums and a number of Singles. His craft is one that is ever growing and evolving each and every day. 

   His most recent release includes single “Work It Out”. This song was written, recorded, and released from Ra’Shad’s own record label Side2Side Inc. This track features a modern day style of Rhythm and Blues with a story line many can relate to. His last albums: Southern Side of Soul and Bluz Me capture every essence of what Ra’Shad is.  Both being excellent listening sets, they are sure to wow the Blues world. Ra’Shad is an artist who remains humble and kind while keeping the blues tradition alive.

n 2019 and 2020, Ra’Shad had the opportunity to travel  internationally and performed at The Delemont Blues Festival in Delemont, Switzerland. While there he was also able to meet with various other blues lovers alike.

   Over the last few years he has transitioned from a primarily Southern Soul artist to a more Traditional Blues genre of music and it surely has not gone unnoticed. In May 2022, Ra’Shad was  featured in the Living Blues Magazine. 

In April 2023, Ra’Shad was recognized by the International Blues Hall of Fame Organization as a “Great Blues Artist” and was inducted into the Alabama Blues Hall of Fame. Later that same year in August 2023, he was recognized by the Jus Blues Music Awards as the recipient of the “Tribute to B.B. King Blues Award”. Also, Ra’Shad was nominated by The SSC Marketing Group for “The Traditional Blues Artist of the Year”. Ra’Shad was also nominated by the Jackson Music Awards  for “National Blues Artist of the Year ”. This was a great honor bestowed upon him and he is committed to keeping the Blues alive and thriving. In January 2024, Ra’Shad was presented with an Honorary Membership Ring  to the GroundZero Blues Club.