Patty Griffin

Patty Griffin is an American singer, songwriter and musician from Old Town, Maine. Born Patricia Jean Griffin in 1964, she works across folk, country, contemporary folk, folk pop, alternative rock and singer-songwriter styles, with her best-known work centred on stripped-down songwriting. She also appears as a member of Band of Joy and records for ATO Records.

Early career and first releases

After a short marriage that ends in 1992, Griffin begins playing in Boston coffee houses and is signed by A&M Records after the label hears her demo tape. Her debut album, Living With Ghosts, consists of demos featuring only Griffin and her guitar and receives strong critical attention. Her second album, Flaming Red, moves towards a fuller band sound.

Albums, awards and recognition

Griffin’s unreleased Silver Bell album is not issued by her label, and her recording contract is ended soon afterwards. Some of its songs are later re-recorded for other albums. After she moves to ATO Records, she releases 1000 Kisses and Impossible Dream, both of which receive Grammy nominations, followed by the live album A Kiss in Time. In 2007, she receives the Americana Music Association’s Artist of the Year award, and Children Running Through wins Best Album. In 2011, Downtown Church wins the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Gospel Album. Her album American Kid is also part of her recorded output.

Songwriting and collaborations

Griffin writes songs including “Long Ride Home”, “Top of the World”, “Tony”, “Forgiveness”, “Chief” and “Mad Mission”. Her songs are covered by Emmylou Harris, Ellis Paul, Rory Block, the Dixie Chicks, Bette Midler, The Wreckers, Solomon Burke and Kelly Clarkson, which brings her work to wider folk, pop and country audiences. After collaborating with Mavis Staples on a track for a compilation album, she agrees to record a gospel album on the condition that Buddy Miller produces it.

Downtown Church and later work

Downtown Church is recorded at the Downtown Presbyterian Church in Nashville and includes performances by Buddy and Julie Miller, Shawn Colvin and Emmylou Harris, alongside songs by Hank Williams, Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton and “All Creatures of Our God and King”, credited to St. Francis of Assisi. Griffin also features on Robert Plant’s solo album Band of Joy.