Tyler Griffith was born with music in his genes.
His earliest memory was participating in bluegrass jam sessions at a Roachdale community center. He once made a bass out of a log and rubber bands that he’d drag on stage to play with his mother Vicki’s band. By age 5 he was winning talent contests. Asked then what he wanted to do when he grew during an interview with the Hendricks County Flyer, he said, “I want to be a famous musician and buy a big ole bus.”
As far as bluegrass, his favorite musical form, he’s in good company. The Avon High School student plays in the band Penn Central with Lonnie Meeker, the founder of Union Station, mandolin player for Bill Monroe, and a three-time Grammy winner.
Meeker wanted “someone young, who has the drive, talent, and determination to perform” for Penn Central. He found it in Tyler.
“I’ve always loved music,” said Tyler, 16, who also plays trumpet in the Avon High School band. “I’ve always wanted to play and participate in it.”
He got that appreciation from his mother. Vicki, in turn, got it from her father, Victor Beck. She said he was so enthusiastic he built his own guitar. A constant at Jack’s Grand Ole Barn in Groveland near Heritage Lake, Victor started his own band. When the guitarist got hurt, he told Vicki, “Be there, black pants, gold shirt.”
That was enough for Vicki. She took off for Nashville the day after graduating from high school. It was during the ’70s, in the back of the Grand Ole Opry, that Vicki participated in improvised sessions with future luminaries like Jerry Douglas, Marty Stuart, Lester Flatt, Carl Jackson — “everybody who was anybody.”
“The thing I like about bluegrass is everyone involved becomes like a family,” Vicki said.
Tyler is already learning that himself.
Vicki eventually moved back to Indiana and started a family, but returned to music 13 years ago. Though out of the fold for a while, she’s discovered she was never forgotten.
Penn Central was invited to perform at The Society of the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America’s International Band Championship in February in Nashville. Jackson was inducted into the Hall of Greats during the ceremony.
Tyler introduced himself to Jackson during the event. Jackson was impressed enough with Tyler’s skills displayed there (including one all-night jam session) to make the media wait 40 minutes to take photos while he heard his story.
Tyler assumed Jackson didn’t remember his mother. But after the ceremony, the Griffiths saw him with some record company executives at an all-night diner. Tyler walked over to his table to thank him for his time.
“As I was walking away I heard one of the record execs ask him who I was,” Tyler recalled. “He said, ‘Oh that was a kid I met at the awards ceremony. I knew his mom in the ’70s. She was a killer Dobro player.’”
Regarding the SPBGMA, Vicki said, “It’s a true blessing he got to do that. Not many teens do. Here history is repeating itself.”
While Tyler has aspirations of a music career, even having learned the production side of the craft, he’s also being cautious. His goal is to study engineering at Purdue.
“I’ve seen how fickle the music industry can be,” said Tyler, who also plays bass in the country band Open Range and his mother’s act Vicki & Crew. “Lonnie has always stressed the importance of having an education. I’d like to have that and be able to play. My dream is to go to Nashville, but right now I’m just going where the music takes me.”
Vicki, for her part, is happy to pass on what she’s learned.
“Each generation adds its own ideas to the music,” she said. “They have to, or it won’t survive.”
wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
Vicki Griffith and her son Tyler demonstrate their musical abilities during an impromptu jam session. Wade Coggeshall/Flyer photo
-
Through hard work and connections, Tyler Griffith has met many bluegrass greats, including Hall of Famer Carl Jackson. Submitted photo
Love of bluegrass runs in the family
- Local News
-
-
Pence makes first official campaign stop in Plainfield
Mike Pence filed paperwork on Monday to officially run for governor of Indiana. Then the Republican made his first campaign stop here, at The Coachman restaurant.
-
Steuerwald leads effort to bolster human trafficking laws
Rep. Greg Steuerwald (R-Avon) co-sponsored a bill strengthening Indiana's anti-human trafficking laws that Gov. Mitch Daniels signed just in time for the Super Bowl.
-
First Lady kicks off state employee food drive
First Lady Cheri Daniels recently announced the start of the annual Hoosiers Helping Hoosiers state employee food drive. During the month of February, 60 agencies and 261 divisions throughout Indiana state government will coordinate efforts to collect non-perishable items for local food banks and pantries.
-
Shoe recycling event going on this week
The Hendricks County Solid Waste Management District says old shoes that are discarded can spend more than 200 years in a landfill before decomposing, and shoes are in great demand in third world countries.
-
Hanging with Madonna
With hundreds of millions of people throughout the world watching Super Bowl XLVI, Avon made a nice splash.
-
Pizzeria opens in North Salem
As a Tri-West High School graduate, Bob Miller knows western Hendricks County well. It's this community he's most fond of.
-
HCT to have 'Aladdin Jr.' auditions
Hendricks Civic Theatre will have auditions for "Aladdin Jr." 10 a.m. Feb. 11 and 5 p.m. Feb. 12 at Avon Christian Church. Callbacks, if needed, will be 6 p.m. Feb. 13 at the church.
-
Groups encouraged to 'Bend & Snap' their way to 'Legally Blonde'
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre is tickled pink to present its premiere production of the Broadway musical "Legally Blonde," and the theatre is encouraging local groups to get in on the fun - with a chance of winning tickets to the show.
-
Avon company begins franchising
AVON — Beth Thompson has built and grown her business during one of the worst economies in U.S. history. The company has three locations and will soon begin to franchise.
-
ATV safety class part of 4-H enrollment fair
The Hendricks County Fairgrounds will be loaded up with all things 4-H during the enrollment fair this Sunday, and a new, rather large, wrinkle has been added: A full ATV course for usage as part of a safety class dedicated to teaching the do’s and dont’s of the ATV world in light of deadly accidents that have occurred.
- More Local News Headlines
-
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
