From Pilsen to Primetime: Chicago's Wally Lockard III Launches New TV Series with Bulls Legend Horace Grant

More than two decades after building a recording studio above his family's auto repair shop in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, Chicago native Wally Lockard III is producing one of the biggest projects of his career. The founder of Urban Grind TV is executive producer and co-host of Legends in Session with Horace Grant, a new television series featuring the Chicago Bulls icon and four-time NBA champion.

The inaugural season, which recently wrapped filming in Chicago, will offer fans an unprecedented, up-close look at the careers and legacies of some of the most iconic figures in sports and culture.

For Lockard, the project is the latest chapter in a journey defined by perseverance.

After graduating from high school at 17, Lockard enlisted in the U.S. Army at 18. He returned to Chicago three years later after sustaining service-related injuries, including PTSD, traumatic brain injuries and severe migraines, while also facing the responsibility of supporting a young family.

Determined to create a new path, he transformed the upstairs of his family's auto repair shop into a recording studio in 2002. The space came with constant challenges. Passing trains routinely interrupted recording sessions, the sounds of mechanics echoed from below, plumbing issues were common, and overloaded electrical circuits frequently shut down production.

Despite the obstacles, Lockard often worked 18- to 20-hour days, teaching himself music production, audio engineering, artist management, marketing and distribution while building a business from the ground up.

That work laid the foundation for Urban Grind TV, which was launched in 2009 with a simple format highlighting one independent artist, one comedian, and one local restaurant.

Today, Urban Grind TV has evolved into a 30-time award-winning cable television and internationally syndicated media brand based in Chicago, covering music, sports, entertainment, and culture while providing a platform for both emerging and established talent.

That same commitment to authentic storytelling is now at the heart of Lockard's work on Legends in Session with Horace Grant. Featuring legendary guests, powerful storytelling, and behind-the-scenes moments, the show offers an inside look at the defining moments, personal journeys, and lasting legacies that shaped their careers.

The debut season is set to feature an all-star lineup of Grant’s closest friends, fiercest rivals, and most respected teammates and coaches—including Phil Jackson, Charles Oakley, Vernon Maxwell, Robert Horry, Bill Cartwright, Kendall Gill, Harvey Grant, and Toni Kukoc, and the late Stacey King. These guests have won a combined 29 NBA championships.

Expanding beyond basketball, the show will also welcome former White Sox left fielder Ron Kittle and World Series champion and MVP Jose Rijo.

Here’s the first look trailer: Legends in Session with Horace Grant — Official Trailer

Lockard said the series reflects the same mission that has guided Urban Grind TV since its earliest days in Pilsen.

"This project represents everything Urban Grind TV stands for—creating meaningful conversations and telling stories that deserve to be heard," Lockard said. "To partner with Horace Grant and bring together so many legendary athletes and champions for one series is something I'm incredibly proud of. We're not just talking about unforgettable moments in sports history; we're preserving them through honest, engaging conversations that fans will remember for years to come."

Now in post-production, the first season of Legends in Session with Horace Grant will debut by the end of the year.

For more information, visit legendsinsession.com and follow the show on Instagram @legendsinsession for the latest updates, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, and upcoming announcements.