BIO
Born in Memphis, TN in 1984, GRAMMY Award winner, Ceron Mays is known for his astounding vocals and phenomenal talent on the guitar and bass. Ceron began his music career when he was 16 years old when he was offered the opportunity to play lead guitar for his God Father Darron Jones and the group Direction. After playing for the group for a year, Darron Jones was tragically murdered. This devastation caused Ceron to put down his guitar and join the Army. Ceron did not pick his guitar up or sing for 5 years following the incident.
Ceron served 5 years in the military immediately following the tragedy and during that time fought in Operation Iraqi Freedom. His service was cut short after being hit with an IED while on patrol. Upon returning, Ceron got a job working as a mechanic. Even though Ceron was making the money he needed to provide for his 2 children and wife at the time, he still felt the calling to pick his guitar back up and practice music.
Later the company closed and Ceron was without a job. At that moment, Ceron chose to follow his calling and practice his music again. Ceron began playing for the Billboard charting group Silk and traveled the world touring with them. Ceron has played on Anthony David’s 2016 project The Powerful Now and produced many records with Nashville GRAMMY winner, Shannon Sanders. Recently, he received a GRAMMY award as a guitarist for the "Best Roots Gospel Album," by the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Ceron has also collaborated with many well known local artists in Nashville, TN.
Ceron’s ‘aha’ moment when he knew he was an artist happened after he was playing for another artist in a duet gig one night a week in Downtown Nashville. The lead singer discontinued performing at the venue and this left Ceron with a decision to either continue performing at the same venue alone or completely stop playing. Ceron decided to give the solo gig a try. This was the best decision Ceron could have made for himself and his career.
By taking this opportunity, he now performs 2 nights a week at Doc Holliday’s in Downtown Nashville. People describe Ceron’s style as a mixture of Prince’s guitar style, R. Kelly’s vocals, and Marvin Gaye’s soul vibe. He has also been described as an “Authentic Storyteller”. Ceron states that his influences was Quartet music because he loved the way the guitar sounded in the songs. Ceron is a family man and happily married with five children.