Country singer Andy Griggs has gone through many changes during the past two years. The Louisiana native went through a divorce, replaced his studio producer and management team, and made some personnel changes in his band. He says his latest CD represents "a new chapter" in his life and career.
Andy Griggs' new CD, This I Gotta See, became his second release to debut in the Top 10 on Billboard's Country Albums chart. The collection was produced by Randy Scruggs, son of bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs. Andy felt the Grammy-winning songwriter and producer was the best person to bring out the wide variety of musical influences from his Louisiana roots. They include everything from rock, blues and gospel to Country and bluegrass. He says, "Randy is one of the few who can make an artistic record that's also a radio record." Andy Griggs moved to Nashville in 1995. Three years later, he recorded his first album, You Don't Have To Be Lonely. It sold more than 500,000 copies, and included three Top 10 singles. Most of his radio hits have been ballads, but Andy's equally comfortable singing uptempo songs like the new track he co-wrote, "Hillbilly Band."
Andy sings from experience in "Hillbilly Band." Tall, blonde and handsome, he attracts thousands of screaming female fans to his live shows.
Andy's favorite song on This I Gotta See is "If Heaven," written by Nashville songwriter Gretchen Peters. He calls the hopeful song "the center point of the album." Andy says, "Lyrically, I think it speaks to all of us, especially me. I've had a lot of losses in my life." His father died of cancer when Andy was only 10, and eight years later, his 22-year-old brother Mason suffered a fatal heart attack. It was Mason who inspired Andy to turn his focus from playing football to a career in music.
Andy's list of most memorable career moments includes hearing his song on the radio for the first time, singing a duet with Waylon Jennings, and his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. He's scheduled to perform on the Opry stage again in mid-October. In the meantime, Andy's on tour throughout the U.S. to promote his new album.