Beth

Beth

Beth Griffith-Manley (American R&B Singer, Songwriter and Actress) “Singing is like breathing to me..... I have to do it !” Equating singing to breathing is completely reasonable, when it’s coming from Beth Griffith-Manley, singer, songwriter, actress and daughter of Johnny Griffith, the legendary and Multi-Grammy® Award-winning pianist/keyboardist. He was an original member of the Funk Brothers, Motown’s in-house studio band that created the famous ‘Motown Sound.’ Beth’s father was one of only a few classically-trained musicians who worked at Motown. The late Johnny Griffith played on hundreds of Motown songs, including top hits such as, "Stop, In The Name Of Love," "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," "I Heard It Through The Grapevine," "What's Going On," "Dancin' In The Streets,” “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch),” "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" and "Shotgun." He also played keys on several non-Motown records, including: "Lonely Teardrops," "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher And Higher," "Have You Seen Her?" and "Cool Jerk." At age 16, he played with blues superstar John Lee Hooker, and as a young man in the 1960s, he toured with Dinah Washington, Aretha Franklin and Sarah Vaughan. Being a young girl in a house filled with such musical brilliance day in and day out, it’s no wonder that Beth’s own musical interests peaked early. At age 5, she began learning how to play the piano alongside her father, and it was evident then, that music was in her DNA. At age 12, her interest in singing sprouted when she joined the choir in junior high school, and it blossomed throughout her high school years. Beth’s teenage vocals were coached and nurtured by Cheryl Valentine at Beaubien Jr. High, then by notable teacher and director, Deirdre Jackson-Thompson at Mumford High School. Jackson-Thompson was also vocal coach and mentor to The Winans family, The Clark Sisters and members of the famous gospel group, Commissioned. Even though her father was an extremely successful musician, and Beth’s natural vocal talents were undeniable, Johnny Griffith encouraged his daughter not to pursue music professionally, because he felt the business was too hurtful and unfair. Both of Beth’s parents were strict when it came work and education, and insisted that she work summer jobs in order to buy what she wanted, and that she earn a

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