Uncle Dave Griffin
Writer of Songs
Planter of Seeds
Teller of Tales
​
His songs travel smoothly across the genres of Americana
Blues - Country - Folk - Roots Rock
Born into an Air Force family, he traveled extensively as a child - Tripoli, Libya - Albany, Georgia - Tampa, Florida
finally returning home to Waycross, Georgia, where as a three-year old he listened to his daddy's records.
Hank Williams, Sr. - Johnny Cash - Webb Pierce - Red Foley - Ernest Tubb - Marty Robbins - Johnny Horton
​
Growing up in the 50s-60s-70s, his musical interests were as varied as the songs and groups that spanned the decades.
Elvis - Nat King Cole - Del Shannon - The Beach Boys - The Beatles - CSNY - The Eagles - Gram Parsons
​
He remained an avid listener of music until '71, when he picked up the bass guitar and learned Jimi Hendrix's Hey Joe.
​
He wrote his first song in '73...about a woman, no less.
In '74, he and childhood friend, Billy Ray Herrin, formed Sweetbriar, the first country-rock band in Waycross.
Since that time, he has spent his life playing music in many bands while constantly honing his songwriting skills.
In 1989, he and Billy Ray co-wrote seven songs that were published by the late, great Bill Lowery in Atlanta, Georgia.
​
In '98, he started a backyard tribute in honor of Gram Parsons that has since grown into a large outdoor gathering called the Annual Gram Parsons Guitar Pull and Tribute Festival, featuring headliners like
Leon Russell - Jim Lauderdale - Dr. Ralph Stanley - Charlie Louvin - Marty Stuart - Ian Dunlop - to name a few.
​
In January 2015, he was the opening act for Leon Russell during a six-night run through Georgia and Florida.
​
In July 2016, he launched a weekly online blog - Tail of the Weak - a series of personal insights and musical memories.
His first book - Tails of the Weak: From Doghill to Tripoli and Back - released in December 2018.
​
He continues to perform throughout the southeast - playing bars, festivals, listening rooms, and songwriting circles.
​
"I'm digging in darkness where light never shines - Beggin' forgiveness from loves left behind
Like a coal miner I'm searchin' to find - The pieces of my peace of mind"
Song in the Vein by Uncle Dave Griffin
​