Patty Griffin

The youngest of seven children, Patty Griffin grew up hearing her mother sing while doing housework and her grandmother's family sing on the front porch at night. In addition to listening intently to the Beatles, Griffin was fascinated by the music of Bruce Springsteen and Rickie Lee Jones. Although she acquired a $50 guitar and began writing songs at the age of 16, Griffin gave little thought to a career as a musician. After living in Florida for nearly two years, she moved to Boston and married, and while her husband encouraged her to perform, she spent most of her time waitressing. However, upon her divorce in 1992, Griffin found herself on her own and began to perform in Boston-area coffeehouses. She quickly attracted attention to her well-crafted songs and gutsy vocals. Griffin's sixth full-length outing, the gospel-infused Downtown Church, a collection of traditional and gospel materiel, was recorded in Nashville's Downtown Presbyterian Church, and arrived in January 2010. She wrote two selections for the album as well. That same year she appeared on Robert Plant's Band of Joy recording and tour. ~ Craig Harris

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