Brad's Bio

From the tender age of four years old Brad Henderson knew his calling in life. It was at this young age that he began singing, it was 2 years later he received his first guitar.By the age of ten, Brad was bringing his guitar to school and wowing his classmates with his even then prodigious skills."I was good enough then to play guitar in the local high school jazz band and when I was 14, I transferred schools so I could do just that.It was at Lafayette High School, where Brad grew musically,putting in two years in their jazz band.His stint upon graduation earned him the national Louis Armstrong award for best jazz soloist.Before even completing High School, Brad studied at Berklee college of music earning honors in summer study.Upon completion of high school Brad did a year of study at Shenandoah Conservatory making the Dean's list."Though it seems I was the perfect student my playing was pretty wild at the time", says Brad.

After a year at Shenandoah,Brad transferred to James Madison U. where he formed his own band and appeared on the campus album."Something inside me was telling me to go to Los Angeles...the guitar scene was hot it was 1986 and L.A. seemed to be the place to go".That summer Brad worked as a guitarist for Anheuser Busch.Then headed out to L.A. 

"I was 19 years old and I packed up all the guitar gear I had and drove my pick up truck 3000 miles from Va. to L.A.I really had no idea of what I was getting into but I knew I was a good player".Brad moved into an apartment in Hollywood and began his study at M.I..Brad practiced over 10 hours a day and earned a performance at the graduating ceremonies.After graduating the young guitarist began doing sessions and film work.Providing music for the film "Street Asylum" as well as many others."What I really wanted to do was play in a Rock band, but I was looking for something a lttle different.Brad found what he was looking for when he auditioned for the band "Shock".Sporting a three piece horn section, "Shock" was something new on the hard rock scene."It was cool playing with that band because I got to combine my love of funk, with the volume of rock."Shock" headlined and showcased all the major venues of Southern California...it was singer and name conflicts which eventually ended the band.

Out of the ashes "Boy Elroy" was formed."I have never been one to quit anything once I start so we elected to put something new together"."Boy Elroy" kept the three piece horn section for their first "Roxy" show and got rave reviews."It was tough keeping everyone together, and eventually the horns left, freeing up the rest of the band to explore other options."Boy Elroy" went on to combine hip hop,jazz,and rap influences into the standard rock 4 piece.Problems with singers once again caused the bands demise."It was next to impossible to find the perfect singer and man that is so important".

After "Boy Elroy" Brad began singing himself and fronting the band, the band did some recording for Scott Gordon at I.R.S. and Ryan Greene at E.M.I. even recording two videos..."Still I could tell the scene was dying out in L.A. and it was time for a career move!"

Nashville,Tn was the home of Brad's long time friends the Wooten Brothers(Victor Wooten and Roy Wooten are known for their work with Bela Fleck)so he decided to check it out.The Wooten Brothers were succesfull playing their funk and rock music in a town best known for country and Brad moved in picking up work with the Wooten Brothers.He also gained experience with the country band "ThunderHeart".It was through playing with Steve Miller keyboardist, Joe Wooten,that Brad was offered the Crystal Taliefero guitar slot."Crystal is absolutely the best singer I have ever heard or worked with, she is simply incredible!""Crystal has worked with Springsteen and Billy Joel just to name a few, and it shows in how well she can work a stage,she has got it down cold!"  

Extrmely busy in 98, Brad has been featured on 2 CD's and countless live performances. Brad can currently be heard on the new album by Rio Star Artist, Shanda Brash. Brad helped write and produce the album as well, and it shows his versatility on the many twists and turns the album makes. Brad is also featured on Kevin O'Donnell's CD "It's A Process". Brad spent part of the summer on tour with MCA artist Chely Wright and can now be heard playing in Nashville with Xplosive Joseph Wooten and The Hands of Soul.

99 continues to be a break out year for "Bad" Brad. First he begins work on the Rapnexx project creating his alter ego, Ma$ta BaTe$ and also becomes actively involved in the promotion of mp3 music. Stay tuned for more developments and the release of the Rapnexx debut "Deliverance".