Q with Tom Power At 85, Candi Staton is living her best life
Feb 26, 2026
Candi Staton, veteran American singer known for gospel, soul and disco hits like Young Hearts Run Free, reflects on a seven-decade career. She talks about returning to gospel with a Grammy-nominated album. Conversations cover touring during segregation, turning personal pain into music, and late-life revival and resilience.
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Surprising Grammy Call Over Tea
- Candi Staton learned of her Grammy nomination while sitting at home having tea and nearly dropped the cup when her publicist called.
- She credited longtime publicist Bill Carpenter for refusing to give up and pushing her to keep making the album until she got a Grammy nomination.
Harmonies Learned From A Static Radio
- As a child in Alabama, Candi and her sister learned harmonies from a static-filled radio and practised singing late into the night.
- Those early listening sessions taught them to harmonize by ear and seeded Candi's lifelong gift and drive to sing gospel and soul.
From Church Contest To The Jewel Gospel Trio
- Bishop Jewel discovered Candi and her sister after they performed at a church contest and arranged for their schooling and professional grooming.
- They formed the Jewel Gospel Trio, recorded eight records, and began touring despite segregation and sleeping under oak trees between shows.