Buddy Griffin, a musical icon that was recognized nationwide, died February 4 at his home in Jane Lew following a long illness. Buddy was the sixth of eight children of Richard and Erma Gibson. Born in 1948 at Richwood, his musical talents showed early. At a young age he fronted his family band, eventually known as the Sunny Valley Boys, at local music venues, schoolhouses, television and radio shows.
In the 1960’s the family moved to Braxton County from Summersville. Buddy graduated from Sutton High School in 1967. He received a teaching degree from Glenville State College in 1971. He taught English and history at the middle school level for a few years before the music world’s calling became undeniable.
That calling led Buddy Griffin throughout the United States playing with some of the top bluegrass entertainers of all time. Over the next four decades Buddy performed in the nation’s top musical venues including an estimated 200 appearances at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.
During his career, he played with the industry’s top performers as his musical talents were illustrated in over 140 album releases.
In 2002 Griffin was given the opportunity to join the fine arts department at his alma mater Glenville State College not just as an instructor, but to establish an educational pathway for college students interested in traditional bluegrass music. He designed and directed the first four-year degree program in bluegrass music in the world. Buddy ran the program that garnered national attention until his retirement in 2011 when he handed over the reins to Dr. Megan McKnight.
While he retired as an educator, he could not get his love for music out of his system. That devotion led him to Gallatin, Tennessee where he performed with the legendary bluegrass stars Jesse McReynolds and Bobby Osborne.
Buddy Griffin earned a host of awards and honors for his vast musical talents and accomplishments. Among them was the 2011 West Virginia Vandalia Award. Glenville State University bestowed an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts Degree on him in 2019. His crowning accolade came in 2023 when he was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame.
In an article published by the Hall of Fame selection committee they wrote: “In over 50 years there is very little that Griffin has not done for bluegrass and old-time music. He has performed on many stages, touring as a sideman with top names; as a session musician he has played on more than 150 recordings; helped with studio production; appeared on many radio and television stations; devised, implemented and oversaw a curriculum for a degree course for bluegrass musicians; and mentored others.
“Induction into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame is clearly a very well-deserved accolade, perhaps even overdue.”
Buddy responded to this honor just like he did the numerous other awards he earned… with humble acknowledge-ment. While all the honors for work in the industry were rewarding to Buddy, he was most proud of the degree program he founded at GSU.
In a tribute published in Bluegrass Today, Dr. Megan McKnight summed up the life and career of Buddy Griffin well. “He treated people with the same sincerity and openheartedness that he had always demonstrated – whether they were family, friends or fans. He was everyone’s best friend… Though he is no longer with us, his spirit lives on in every song we sing and every act of kindness we do in his name.”
The family is currently making plans for a celebration of the life Buddy Griffin to take place later this year.