I want to move to Nashville and eventually make people happy by playing my music on a worldwide stage .
Realizing the voice he has , which fits well with his favorite genres , classic country and Southern rock , Grayson is becoming comfortable behind the microphone at the ront of the stage . His pre-teen voice also is changing , taking on a deeper , smoother , wiser-beyond-years sound .
“ He could carry a tune , but now he is really learning because we ’ ve put him out there and we make him do it repetitious ,” Phillip said . “ His voice is growing , and he ’ s getting a lot more control . He ’ s really learned to use his voice a lot better the older he gets .”
Grayson has performed at First Saturday at the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience and Third Thursday downtown . He has sung at charity fundraisers , beauty reviews and holiday bazaars . For the past three years , he has been in the lineup at the Threefoot Festival , and he sung at Meridian Day at the Neshoba County Fair in 2022 . Also that year , he was a Top 5 finalist in the youth division of the Jimmie Rodgers Festival Singer / Songwriter Contest .
He and some other young artists , including Aiden Williamson , Ford Scharmen and Matthew Rhoden , have found welcoming audiences at Mia ’ s Cafe , Brickhaus or Aie ’ s Taste of Thai , where Grayson now plays on Thursday nights .
One of his biggest crowds to play was earlier this month at the Bud N ’ Boilin ’ crawfish cookoff at Singing Brakeman Park .
Grayson Culpepper performs at Aie ’ s Taste of Thai on a recent Thursday night . e band , The Dukes of Country
I want to move to Nashville and eventually make people happy by playing my music on a worldwide stage .
- Grayson Culpepper
“ I am opening for the Dukes of Country band ,” he said a few days before the event . “ I ’ m really excited . I love the Dukes of Country since I first saw them . They are really cool guys , really nice people .”
Phillip said he ’ s been surprised , yet proud , of how at ease Grayson is on stage , especially since he started performing around age 11 .
“ He can get on stage and where most people would just crumble , I mean , this weekend he is probably going to play in front of 2,000 people . That isn ’ t bothering him a bit and that ’ s something not a lot of people can do ,” Phillip said . “ A lot of people can play the guitar and a lot of people can sing , but when you get up there by yourself and do it … that takes courage .”
Grayson said his dad and mom , Casey Culpepper , have both been very encouraging of his musical aspirations , as well as his uncle Bryan Culpepper , who formerly played in the band Pearl River . He also said several local musicians have not only been big influences but also have taken the time to share stories and give him advice , including Lach Thornton , Scott McQuaig , Britt Gully , Daniel Houze , Alana Sparrow Broughton and Timmy Segars .
Segars , he said , was the first one to call him onto the stage to play in front of an audience .
Grayson balances his music with his studies at West Lauderdale Middle School , where he is finishing up eighth grade . He is in the process of recording his first extended play recording , or EP , in the Governor ’ s Recording Studio at The MAX . Grayson ’ s EP will feature two original songs , called “ Faith to Fly ” and “ In My Bible ,” along with a few cover songs . McQuaig and Gully , both Meridian country music legends , have assisted the teen by providing guitar tracking .
Casey said Grayson has loved being in the recording studio at The MAX and collaborating with other musicians .
“ This has been a great experience for him . We are looking forward to the finished product ,” she said . “ We know it ’ s going to turn out great .”
Grayson said his dream is to eventually get to Nashville , Tennessee , and launch a career in the music industry .
“ I want to move to Nashville and eventually make people happy by playing my music on a worldwide stage ,” he said , “ but most of all , give all glory to God , because I also want to be able to tell people that I have been playing in churches since I was a little kid .” M
34 • MERIDIAN LIFE