78 Photo Essay: Braden Griffith, Nashville Tour Manager

Words by Justin Hunter | Image by Jeremy Abbott and courtesy Braden Griffith

“A man’s gift can open doors; it gives access to great and important people!” – Proverbs 18:16.

 Six years ago, Braden Griffith spent his Friday nights under the lights of Jasper’s Ki-Ro Gambrell Field as a junior in the Walker High School Marching Band. A gifted high school drummer who rotated sitting behind the drumkit on Sunday mornings at Hope House Church, and who was also being mentored by Rascal Flatts’ own Jim Riley, Braden had all of the potential to make a career in the music industry. All he needed was a door opened for him in the music world. 

 The invitation came the second week of his senior year at Walker—a once-in-a-lifetime offer to move to Nashville to go on the road as a full-time drum technician with the Eli Young Band. With his parents’ blessing, Braden, then 17, moved to the Southern metropolis and completed his senior year through Homeland Christian Academy’s virtual studies. 

 “I received my diploma by email while going down the interstate in Nebraska or something,” he says. “I literally graduated on a tour bus.”

 Over the next couple of years, Braden went from setting up the drums for the band to being behind the drumkit for several well-known Nashville recording sensations—artists like Brett Young, Michael Tyler, and LoCash. 

 As a young touring musician, Braden has had the opportunity to travel and see all 50 states and seven different countries. “Over the past couple of years, I’ve been traveling the roads a lot and wanted to be home more,” Braden says. “I’ve transitioned from making my living playing drums and have moved to the management end of things.”

 Fast forward about five years. Now a tour manager for up-and-coming artists, Braden can be found side stage at some of the hottest New Country concerts. His two primary clients are Nashville’s redheaded darling, Caylee Hammack, and the Australian country-pop duo Seaforth. 

 Earlier in 2020, Braden was on tour with Hammack in Berlin, Germany, promoting her debut album If It Wasn’t for You before the pandemic shut it down. He has yet to go back on the road. 

 “What people don’t understand about the concert industry is that all we do is mass gatherings of around 5,000 people or more,” Braden says from his home in Nashville. “We are looking at June of 2021 before we can start work again, so my team and I are sitting here waiting for the green light.”

 On the front end of a blossoming musical career, Braden is looking toward to the future. He aspires to become the next Mary Hilliard Harrington, the President of the Country Music Association, and manager for top Billboard recording talent. His time frame for his ascent into upper musical management is ten years. Braden is confident in his ability, is aware of God’s blessings in his life, and hasn’t forgotten his hometown roots.

 “Jasper is always home. It raised and grew me into the person who I am today. I am who I am because of lessons and people from back home.” he says.

 Braden has set high goals for his future and is enthusiastic about where the next wave of country music will take him. As he signs off, he mentions an important Zoom call he has to get to: late night host Stephen Colbert is requesting an appearance from Miss Hammock.  78