It’s summertime, the time of year when outdoor festivities are in full swing and ready to beckon crowds with fun-filled activities. With the Fourth of July right around the corner, local musicians are sure to celebrate the Stars and Stripes with delightful tunes and groovy music. Alpine resident Tom Griffith, a singer-songwriter originally from San Antonio, will be one of those performers at the Fort Davis Coolest Fourth of July celebration on Saturday, July 3, at 2 p.m. at the Jeff Davis County courthouse square.

Griffith, a multi-talented Alpine musician who plays guitar and harmonica and sings at the Holland Hotel in Alpine, is a soloist who has played at Blue Mountain Bistro in Fort Davis, the Starlight Theatre in Terlingua, and the Thirsty Goat Saloon at Lajitas Golf Resort.

For 16 years, Griffith and wife Kathleen, an Alpine artist, have been managing a ranchito near Chinati Hot Springs in southern Presidio County at the foothills of Chinati Mountain, and decided to venture to Alpine, and have lived here for six years.

Kathleen exhibits her artwork in Gallery on the Square, and helps maintain Railroad Park. Griffith writes his own songs and performs covers from famous pop artists like the Beatles, James Taylor, Van Morrison, John Prine, and others from the 1970s and 1980s. Griffith started performing for crowds about 15 years ago, and prior to that had been in bands since his teen years. He even plays a bit of country and western, covering legends Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard.

Griffith’s repertoire includes his personal song collection that he has kept for 20 years. It consists of people, relationships, and characters from around Texas, although he focuses more on the western part of the state and New Mexico.

“I hope people have some connection to either the relationship aspect of the song and or the place, and how it can bring some relevance to their memories. Hopefully, they will relate to it!” said Griffith.

He will continue to play monthly weekend gigs at the Holland Hotel, and would like to return to the Blue Mountain Bistro patio later this summer, after a yearlong absence due to coronavirus concerns. He takes pride in being one of the solo musicians at the Holland, something that he has been doing for four years now.

Griffith is looking forward to getting back on the music bandwagon now that new places are opening up and crowds are gathering for outdoor events. Whether people go out to enjoy a meal and a drink al fresco with their significant other, or just hang out with their friends, there’s no doubt that Griffith will keep them entertained.

“I take requests,“ quipped Griffith. “I may not know the song, but I might know the artist!”