3 Dec 2016

The Mixtape: Bernie Griffen

From RNZ Music, 5:00 pm on 3 December 2016
Bernie Griffen

Bernie Griffen Photo: Michael Flynn

With a hard-lived history of drug addiction, Bernie Griffen is admired by his friends for his ability to 'turn shit into gold.'

Griffen says "I think I'm an optimist. There's a lot of things that I've survived that other people wouldn't have. I love being alive. Sometimes I'm completely mad, and that gets me into trouble, physically, financially. No one will ever be able to say I didn't have a go at it."

Singer-songwriter, self-proclaimed rascal and longtime NZ folk and country music advocate Bernie Griffen joins Melody Thomas for a candid conversation about recovering from addiction, guided by some of the music that has played alongside him.

Music Details

Artist: The Delmore Brothers
Song: Singing My Troubles Away
Composer: The Delmore Brothers
Album: Volume II - Singing My Troubles Away
Label: Old Homestead Records

Artist: Old School Freight Train
Song: Heart Of Glass
Composer: Stein/Harry
Album: Six Years
Label: RED Distribution

Artist: The Gun Club
Song: House On Highland Avenue
Composer: The Gun Club
Album: Death Party 12"
Label: Chrysalis

Artist: Rolling Stones
Song: Sweet Virginia
Composer: Dylan
Album: Exile On Main St
Label: Virgin

Artist: Johnny Cash
Song: Five Feet High And Rising
Composer: Cash
Album: Five Feet High and Rising
Label: Columbia