Steve Griggs Band Interview by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show

Steve Griggs Band Interview by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show

Lamitschka:  Music has many new fans throughout
Europe who may be hearing about you for the first time. How would you describe
yourself and the music you play to someone who has never seen or heard you?

Answer:  original lyrics describing both good and
hard times of my life set to traditional country and Americana music with a
flavor of Merle Haggard

Lamitschka:  How was the last year for you? What were
your highlights?

Answer:  great year… a whirlwind year topped off by
being awarded album of the year from the Academy of Western Artists in the pure
country category

Lamitschka:  What is your latest CD and how’s it
doing?

Answer:  Fort Worth to Bakersfield… Great .. Album of
the year

Lamitschka:  How did you choose the title for the
CD?  Is there a story behind the name?

Answer:  it was named in rememberance of playing my
music from Fort Worth, TX to
Bakersfield, CA and the influences those cities had on my life and music.

Lamitschka:  Do you write the songs yourself? If not,
how do you go about finding the songs for your CD?

Answer:  I write all my own songs.

Lamitschka:  Please tell us about the songs on your
album (influences, etc).

Answer:  My songs are the stories of my life. For instance,
“Daddy Liked Lefty, Haggard and Jones” is about how my father liked
those singers. Dad was a cattle rancher. When he was in his pickup out in the
pastures and would hear those guys come on the Radio, he would turn it up loud.
My song, “Somewhere in Old Mexico” is about when I was in Mexico on
the lamb from Federal authorities. They were wishing to arrest me back in the
states for drug importation. Most of my songs were written while serving 21
years in Federal prison. My song “You’ll Never See Me Cryin” is about
while I was in prison my daughter had a birthday. I called her on the prison
phone and wished her happy birthday. As I hung up the phone to return to my
cell I was crying. But she never saw that. My song, “Prison Blues” is
about just that – serving time in prison. My song, “Blinding Lights”
is about when I got out of prison I had nothing. My ex-wife would not let me
come stay at her house and ended up doing a lot of walking – sometimes at night
and the cars lights were very bright after just spending 21 years in
prison.

Lamitschka:  What is the difference between your last
CD and your current one?

Answer:  My new album currently in production, is an
extension of the last… more stories of my life, it’s titled “Moving
Forward”, as we all keep moving forward in our lives. The title track of
the same name is dedicated to the military veterans. My father was a veteran of
WWII and my two older brothers are disabled veterans of Vietnam.

Lamitschka:  Your current single is being played by
radio. What do you feel is special about this song that makes people want to
hear it?

Answer:  It is dedicated to all veterans. But it can
apply to all of us Moving Forward with our lives

Lamitschka:  What will your next single be?

Answer:  My next single will be “Daddy wore a
John B. Stetson Hat”.

Lamitschka:  What kind of songs do you like to record
the most?

Answer:  I like to sing songs that mean something to
those listening… something people can relate to, may it be good times or hard
times … to spark a memory and hopefully bring a smile to my fans.

Lamitschka:  You did a duet with Leon Rausch – singer
with Bob Wills and the Texas Palyboys. How did that happen to come about ?

Answer:  Leon was in the studio recording a new
album, he was finished and heard me singing. He contacted us and asked if I’d
do a song with him on his album. There were several others doing duets on the
ablum – Rodney Crowell, Paulette Carlson, etc. As it ended up, I was honored to
record the title track with Leon.

Lamitschka:  What is your favorite song among all the
songs you have recorded and what’s the story behind it?

Answer:  You’ll Never See Me Cryin’ … I was in prison
and my daughter was having her 11th birthday party, I called from prison and
wished her happy birthday. That song has so much special meaning to me.

Lamitschka:  How much creative control do you have
over your music?

Answer:  I have complete control… I’ve recorded
albums in Nashville, Tennessee and Los Angelos, California… I would not allow
either to be released because they wanted to change my music.

Lamitschka:  Do you have any interesting stories
about how fans have been affected by your music?

Answer: Of course, a lot of fans relate to my prison
stories. My background of being raised in the country and all of those
experiences relate to a lot of people.

Lamitschka:  Who inspires you musically and how deep
do your musical roots run?

Answer:  Im inspired by a lot of musicians. Merle
Haggard, Lefty Frizzell, Johnny Paycheck, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, etc.
I began playing guitar and singing at about 11 years old. We were country
people. Sunday dinners often included other family and freinds coming over.
After dinner, we would often sit around the living room and sing and play
music. Other family and friends would play guitar, fiddle, mom played piano,
dad played guitar.

Lamitschka:  What do you think about today’s music
scene versus its post and where do you see it going in the future?

Answer: I like some of today’s music. Ist a natural
evolution of all genres of music. Country music specifically has changed quite
a bit. But I believe there is a movement back to the traditional country music.
I think music will continue to evolve and fuse new styles.

Lamitschka:  What do you think about today’s music
industry?

Answer: It has changed a lot since CD’s and physical
music is almost extinct. It keeps artists on their toes to keep up with all the
digital changes. I think it is a good industry if one takes the time to study
how to affectively reach the fans and interact in the digital world.

Lamitschka:  If you had the chance to change
something about the music industry, what would it be?

Answer: I would develope workshops to educate the new
people to the industry.

Lamitschka:  As an artist, you so many tasks such as
recording, touring, interviews. What do you like best, what’s your favorite
activity?

Answer:  I like performing best.

Lamitschka:  Are you doing anything to take music
beyond its current borders or are you happy where it is?

Answer: I’m presenting my music as it was for me
growing up. Basic, genuine, songs and music about people lives.

Lamitschka:  What inspired you to become an artist?

Answer: The appreciation people gave when I played.

Lamitschka:  What inspired you to become a
songwriter?

Answer:  I wanted to tell my stories in songs.

Lamitschka:  What drives you?

Answer: My work ethic comes from my family. My Dad
always worked hard and I think thats where my drive comes from.

Lamitschka:  What’s unique about you that will
differentiate you from other artists?

Answer: I’ve lived through some interesting things.
Such as my time on the run from the law; my 21 years in prison; my country
background, etc. I have lived through all the events I sing about.

Lamitschka:  What moments in your career stand out in
your memory as highlights and achievements which you are proud of?

Answer: On stage with David Frizzell, Rodney Crowell,
Paulette Carlson, Johnny Paycheck, … meeting Johnny Cash Jr. And winning
album of the year at the Academy of Western Artists for “Fort Worth to
Bakersfield”.

Lamitschka:  When you get time off, how do you like
to relax?

Answer:  Fishing or spending time with family

Lamitschka:  What hopes and desires do you have?

Answer: Stay healthy, enjoy fishing and spending time
with my family and continue to perform.

Lamitschka:  What has been the biggest disappointment
in your life?

Answer: Prison and all that entails

Lamitschka:  Many European fans travel to the United
States to attend the several of the music festivals for the opportunity to see
so many of their favorite artists, bands and celebrities. Will you be
participating and how will the fans be able to find you?

Answer: We took some time off to complete this album.
But, they can go to my website – stevegriggsband.com and see all the upcoming
show dates.

Lamitschka:  What can your fans expect to see when
they see you in concert?

Answer: Fun and engaging with the crowd. Some stories
about my life and song and some good music by top notch musicians.

Lamitschka:  When you’re on tour, do you have time to
play tourist?

Answer: Sometimes we have time to go out and see the
sights …

Lamitschka:  What’s the best compliment a fan has
ever given you?

Answer: One fan drove 8 hours to see us recently in
Missouri. To me, that is a great compliment.

Lamitschka:  What message would you like to send your
European fans?

Answer:  We’re planning on coming to Europe next
year. I hope to see you all at my shows

Lamitschka:  How do you feel about being winning the
Album of the year?  What has it done for your career?

Answer: It has introduced me to a lot of people in
the business and gave me credibility.

Lamitschka:  Fans are always hungry for good road
stories. Do you have one you can share with us (come on don’t be shy)?

Answer: We were playing a show in Las Vegas. I was in
my room watching TV. One of the band members sent a couple hookers to my room.
I’m not into that sort of thing so they ended up watching TV with me for awhile
and left. Oh, and the band member still had to pay them!

Lamitschka:  Describe what a perfect day is like for
you.

Answer: Wake up at about 7:00 am. Have coffee and
breakfast. Go to my office for some catch up. Get ready and go play a show here
in Dallas or Fort Worth and be home in my own bed by midnight.

Lamitschka:  Most careers don’t last as long as
yours.  What’s given your career the staying power?

Answer:  I think playing the songs that people can
relate to at all ages means something.

Christian Lamitschka ( Ch.Lamitschka@t-online.de ) for
Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show