Tuesday, September 4, 2007 12:25 AM CDT
Consider Andy Griggs 'new and improved'
By LISA BARTELT, Staff Writer
lbartelt@jg-tc.com
ARCOLA — Consider him new and improved.
With three albums under his belt, Andy Griggs is no stranger to the country music scene, but that doesn’t mean fans have heard it all before.
When he performs this weekend at the Broomcorn Festival in Arcola, he’ll have new songs, a new album and a new record label behind him.
“I’m very excited about this project,” Griggs said. “Because this is me. This is the real me. I’m anxious to see what people think of it.”
Broomcorn festival visitors will have two chances to check out the new material: Griggs performs at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday on the Oak Street stage. Admission is free.
After recording his first three albums with RCA Nashville, Griggs decided to make a change in 2005 and signed with Montage Music Group.
“I wanted to sign with someone this time who was going to let me record the music I wanted to make,” he said. “Making the change to Montage gave me the freedom to have more control over my music.”
Griggs grew up in Louisiana and started playing country and gospel when he was 18.
“I love country music,” he said, “but I still love gospel and bluegrass.”
His varied musical background brings a unique sound to his music, he said.
“I have my own kind of style,” he said.
He counts Waylon Jennings and Hank Williams among his influences, but he doesn’t model his music after them.
“There’ll never be boys like them,” he said. “I’m just a fan.”
Griggs’ songs also reflect a variety of life’s issues.
“It all depends on what I’m doing at a certain moment,” he said. “That’s what I love about country music. You can apply it to your life more than any other style (of music).”
The first single from his new album, “What If It’s Me,” tells the story of a man who realizes why his relationships keep failing.
The album also features a cautionary tale called “All About The Money” and a fun Elvis-esque tune called “You Can’t Drive My Cadillac.”
Griggs said he’s proud of all the songs he’s written, but if he had to choose one to single out, he’d pick “If Heaven.”
“It’s the heart and soul of what I’ve done,” he said.
Other songs Griggs is known for include “I’ll Go Crazy,” “She’s More,” and “You Won’t Ever Be Lonely.”
Griggs said playing and singing country music is exactly what he wanted to do with his life. Still, it’s different from what he thought it would be.
“It’s never what you expect,” he said. “The good is even better and the bad is even worse. It’s awful lonely on the road, and the stress keeps you awake at night.”
In the midst of that, Griggs and his band still bring an atmosphere of fun to their shows.
“We love what we do and do what we love,” Griggs said. “I guess I can say that’s what I love most about music: being out in front of crowds singing for them. If that’s not your biggest reward as a singer, I think you’re in the wrong business.”
Contact Lisa Bartelt at lbartelt@jg-tc.com or 238-6858.
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