ROOTS of Country Music

The Professional Work of Griff, Ray

(born Apr. 22, 1940)

Career Highlights

Barn Dance Affiliate: WWVA Wheeling Jamboree

Film, Night Club, Radio & TV

• Ernest Tubb’s  Midnight Jamboree, 3
• Hee Haw, 4
• Nashville Now, 4
• The Porter Wagoner Show, 4

1-Film, 2-Night Club, 3-Radio, 4-TV 

Billboard Chart Data 

• No. 1 Singles: 0
• Top-20 Singles: 3
• Crossover Singles: 0
• Charted Singles: 24
• Years Active: (1967-1986)

Awards

7 BMI Citations for song writing and publishing
47 ASCAP Achievment Awards for Artistry and Producing
40 ASCAP Achievement Awards for Song Writer and Publisher

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Ray Griff  began songwriting in the early 1960's and had early cuts by Johnny Horton and Jim Reeves. Griff moved to Nashville in 1964 to pursue his music career full-time. His first records as a singer were released in the late 1960's and Griff had his first hit, Patches, a remake of the Clarence Carter soul hit (1970). Griff recorded for the small country label Royal American and later moved on to Dot Records without much success.

Ray's stint at Capitol Records (1975-1979) proved more successful, racking up eight more country top-40 hits. His most successful was If I Let Her Come In (1976), which peaked at No.11.

Griff's success as a songwriter, however, greatly surpassed his chart activity. Ray has composed nearly 700 songs, including the major hits Canadian Pacific (George Hamilton IV) and Who's Gonna Play This Old Piano (Jerry Lee Lewis). Others who have had major hit records with Griff songs include Faron Young, Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton, Bob Luman, Gene Watson, and Johnny Duncan.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Ray Griff Song Catalogue:

1. A Passing Thing - Ray Griff
   After The Laughter - Wayne Newton
2. Baby - Wilma Burgess
3. Better Move It On Home - Parton & Wagoner
4. Between This Time and The Next Time - Gene Watson
5. Canadian Pacific - George Hamilton IV
6. Cup Of Disgrace - Tommy Hunter
7. Getting Back To Norma - Bob Luman
8. Her Body Couldn't Keep You Off My Mind - Gene Watson
9. Hold Me - Slim Whitman
10. If I Let Her Come In -Ray Griff
11. Listen - Wayne Kemp
12. Love Me Back Together - Ferlin Huskey
13. It Couldn't Have Been Any Better - Johnny Duncan
14. Lost In The Shuffle - Stonewall Jackson
15. Piano Man - Ray Griff
16. Show Me Where - Ruby Falls
17. Softly – Hank Locklin
18. Something Special - Mel Tillis
19. Step Aside - Faron Young
20. Sweet Bird Of Youth - Eddy Arnold
21. Sweet Wine - Johnny Carver
22. The Morning After Baby Let Me Down -Ray Griff
23. You Ring My Bell - Ray Griff
24. You're Wearin' Me Down - Kenny Price
25. You're Wonderin' Why - Hank Snow
26. Wave At 'Em Billy Boy - Dave Dudley
27. What A Difference Your Love Would Make - Carl Smith
28. What Can I Say - Arlene Harden
29. Where Love Begins - Gene Watson
30. Who's Gonna Play This Old Piano - Jerry Lee Lewis

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Researched, compiled and written by Richard Bell, Roots of Country Music, Apr. 3, 2010.

Ray Griff