Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Hear the first episode in our two-part series exploring the music of Shirley Griffith — a Mississippi-born guitarist and singer who brought the sound of Delta blues to Indiana Avenue.
Born in Mississippi, in 1907, Griffith learned guitar as a child and studied with legendary bluesman Tommy Johnson before arriving in Indianapolis on Christmas Day in 1928. In Indianapolis, Griffith became part of the city's thriving blues community, building friendships with Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell while blending their sophisticated Naptown sound with the raw style he brought from Mississippi.
Join host Rodney Stepp as we share rare recordings from one of Naptown’s greatest unsung blues legends, including music from Griffith’s debut 1961 album, Indiana Avenue Blues.
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#LoveWFYI #OnWFYI #WFYIMusic #EchoesOfIndianaAvenue #Indianapolis #IndianaMusicHistory #ShirleyGriffith #DeltaBlues #IndianaBluesMusic #UnsungLegends
Hear the first episode in our two-part series exploring the music of Shirley Griffith — a Mississippi-born guitarist and singer who brought the sound of Delta blues to Indiana Avenue.
Born in Mississippi, in 1907, Griffith learned guitar as a child and studied with legendary bluesman Tommy Johnson before arriving in Indianapolis on Christmas Day in 1928. In Indianapolis, Griffith became part of the city's thriving blues community, building friendships with Leroy Carr and Scrapper Blackwell while blending their sophisticated Naptown sound with the raw style he brought from Mississippi.
Join host Rodney Stepp as we share rare recordings from one of Naptown’s greatest unsung blues legends, including music from Griffith’s debut 1961 album, Indiana Avenue Blues.
FOLLOW WFYI
Instagram: instagram.com/wfyi_indy
TikTok: tiktok.com/@wfyipublicmedia
Facebook: facebook.com/wfyipublicmedia
X: twitter.com/wfyi
The WFYI programs you love are possible thanks to your support. Donate today: wfyi.org/give
#LoveWFYI #OnWFYI #WFYIMusic #EchoesOfIndianaAvenue #Indianapolis #IndianaMusicHistory #ShirleyGriffith #DeltaBlues #IndianaBluesMusic #UnsungLegends
