When Griffin House left Springfield, Ohio for college, he shocked his family by turning down a sports scholarship to focus on music. The talented high school athlete took his $100 guitar and taught himself how to play and write songs. Over ten years later, House has definitely learned how to play and write a song.
After graduating, House moved to Nashville and independently released his first album, “Upland” (2003). His music attracted national attention, leading House to sign with Vancouver-based Nettwerk, and he released “Lost and Found” in 2004. In August that year, CBS “Sunday Morning” Music Journalist Bill Flanagan raved about the album.
“I was knocked out,” recalls Flanagan. Several self-released albums followed – most on Griffin’s Evening Records. He’s toured extensively, opening for artists like Ron Sexsmith, Patti Scialfa, Josh Ritter, John Mellencamp, Mat Kearney, and the Cranberries.
In 2007, House put out “Flying Upside Down,” produced by Jeff Trott. and featuring Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench. The release elevated him to headliner status, and garnered commercial and critical acclaim with its intelligent, heart-felt lyrics and melodies in songs such as “The Guy Who Says Goodbye to You Is Out of His Mind” and “Better Than Love.”
House followed with 2010’s “Learner” and 2013’s “Balls,” and his song “The Way I Was Made” from “Lost and Found” was featured in ESPN’s Fan Hall of Fame commercial. Late in 2014, House released “Songs for a Prisoner,” a five-song EP recorded live inside a Tennessee.
“I had no illusions that my performance would be anything like Johnny Cash’s “Live at Folsom Prison,” said House. “It turned out I was wrong. They were hopping and hollering and singing along and really seemed to be enjoying themselves. I’m glad we recorded it.”
House also completed a series of theater shows in the past few years, including “The Cash Legacy: A Musical Tribute to the Man in Black,” and contributed to the Jackson Browne tribute album “Looking Into You” with his amazing cover of Barricades of Heaven.
While on the road, Griffin also took time to record his next studio album. “So On and So Forth” is a collection of original tunes that should appeal to old and new fans alike, including the beautiful “Paris Calling – Sweet Sensation,” an ode to the city of lights pre-released in December 2015 after the Paris terrorist attacks.
Griffen House will take the stage at New Hope Winery on Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 and available online. New Hope Winery is located at 6123 Lower York Road (Route 202) just outside of New Hope.
Leave a Comment