Austin-based vocalist Malford Milligan commands attention through a commanding, gravel-edged delivery and magnetic live performances that have invited parallels to soul legends Otis Redding and Al Green. Born March 29, 1959, in Taylor, Texas, to Frank and Mary Milligan, the albino Black performer encountered compounded prejudice amid the nation’s entrenched racial tensions. After abandoning sociology studies at Texas Tech University, he relocated to Austin in 1981 hoping to resume academic pursuits at the University of Texas, yet his trajectory shifted sharply toward music once he began performing at the weekly Monday-night blues sessions held at Antoine’s. His evident gift quickly led him to front the local alternative outfit the Stick People.
In 1994 Milligan joined forces with David Holt, David Grissom, and the Double Trouble rhythm section—bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton—to create the Texas supergroup Storyville. The ensemble issued three widely praised albums from 1994 to 1999 yet failed to achieve national breakthrough and dissolved following its final release. Milligan subsequently became a sought-after session vocalist, contributing to recordings and tours alongside Hal Ketchum, Marcia Ball, Alejandro Escovedo, Sue Foley, Eric Johnson, Chris Smither, and additional artists. He also issued two private benefit collections, The Gospel According to Austin and The Gospel According to Austin, Vol. 2, venturing briefly beyond his customary secular repertoire. Between 2001 and 2003 he led the high-octane Boneshakers before establishing the Malford Milligan Band, which delivered the 2006 Varese Sarabande album Rides Again....
