Tail of the Weak is a series of insights and musical memories from the mind of Uncle Dave Griffin, singer/songwriter and founder of the Annual Gram Parsons Guitar Pull and Tribute Festival, from Waycross, Georgia.
To blog or not to blog. That is the question. I questioned my old Doghill buddy, James Cocke, when he posed the question to me back in 2016. I knew I had some things to impart, having lived a nomadic childhood as the son of a 20-year Air Force veteran—with homes in Marietta, Georgia; Waycross, Georgia; Tripoli, Libya; Albany, Georgia; and Tampa, Florida.
Having lived a minstrel's life as a guitar player in many bands starting back in 1974—sharing stages with Dickey Betts, Percy Sledge, and Leon Russell—gave me a wealth of stories to pass on.
Having lived a working man's life with lessons learned in the tobacco fields of South Georgia; as an advertising apprentice at the Waycross Journal-Herald; as an office manager at the local Coca-Cola Bottling Company; and as an employee of the U.S. Postal Service.
Having been raised up by the most-wonderful families and relations a young boy could ever dream of—in the most-idyllic places in time. Having been exposed to the music, movies, and television culture that was as wholesome and innocent as I was in the Fifties and Sixties.
Having been blessed beyond blessings with bright and successful children, stepchildren, and grandchildren gives me even more reason to smile—and to write.
Through these memories, I've recounted my steps. Through past blunders and successes, I have shared my recollections in the hopes that they would stir some emotions—cause a smile to cross a face; a thought to cross a mind; or a tear to cross a cheek in nostalgic happiness.
I've written 158 weekly Tails of the Weak over the past three years—141 have been kindly included in the Waycross Journal-Herald. Through the inspiration and guidance of James Cocke, I had the rare opportunity to publish a portion of my stories in paperback.
So, as I started on July 24, 2016 with something to say—I now find myself closing in on the end of a wonderful ride. I have a few more 'Tails' left in me before I sheath my pen and put my paper away. But, before I do, I’d like to say this.
I'm thankful to my mama and daddy, brother Gary, and sister Deb, who allowed me to drag them into my work. I'm thankful for my wives, sons, and daughter, without whom, I would have nothing to say.
I'm thankful to my buddies growing up on Doghill, who provided me with an ample supply of humorous and heartfelt anecdotes. I'm thankful to all the folks who read my stories regularly and kept me going with kind words and loving support.
Every time I read these, I laugh, I learn and then you bring it home with a gut punch of emotion that makes me wanna cry. —Donald Bulloch, Senoia GA
Thank you, Dave for entertaining us. Your stories are priceless and always brighten my day. —Jake Varn, Sautee GA
Your writing, blog, thoughts or whatever you call them is a bright spot in my day! You ALWAYS bring a smile to this old face! We should all celebrate getting to at least this age—and hopefully many, many more! —Myra Gerbing Royall, Jacksonville FL
I read your posts with a big smile! Thanks again for sharing your life experiences with us. —Jacque Palomaki, Winter Haven FL
Dave Griffin, I just love your blog and you tell the “tails” so well! —Rebecca Alexander, Fernandina Beach FL
Great post! I learn so much from your Tail of the Weak. —Kelly Davis, Blackshear GA
From each soft vowel to every stuttering verb. From each hard consonant to every halting comma. From each paragraph to every period and through every pronoun and past participle in between—I've loved every minute of it. —Uncle Dave
22nd Annual Gram Parsons Guitar Pull and Tribute Festival
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REFERENCES Memories straight from the mind of Uncle Dave Griffin
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