Andy Griggs

By Marjie McGraw

Jul 31 2000

Music has been the defining power in Andy Griggs's life since he was a child. He weathered the death of his father with an old Merle Haggard album, sought solace by learning guitar when his older brother died, and transformed his love for his wife into song with his debut chart-topper, "You Won't Ever Be Lonely," one of 1999's 10 most-played songs on radio. He encored with "Crazy," and his latest number one, "She's More."

In 1991, Griggs signed on as lead vocalist in his brother's old band, picked up a few road gigs with famed gospel duo Jerry & Tammy Sullivan, and met his soulmate, Stephanie Sullivan. Stephanie's belief in Andy's talent was so fierce that, after a four-day honeymoon, the two moved to Nashville, sans job and place to stay.

Determined to "touch someone the way Merle Haggard touched me," Griggs first signed with manager/producer J. Gary Smith, then joined forces with renowned producer David Malloy, and began singing demos. A few months later, he inked a recording contract with RCA Records.

He tried his hand at songwriting when he was unable to find tunes that fit his unique singing style. He co-wrote four songs on his certified-gold debut album, You Won't Ever Be Lonely, and is currently penning most of the songs for his sophomore CD. Although he's working at his craft, he doesn't ever want to sit down and crank out a formula song. "I don't know where the inspiration comes from - God, a dream, or even an elderly couple talking behind me at a restaurant - but I've got to have it."