As you have no doubt already heard, Andy Griffith passed away this past Tuesday, July 3rd at the age of 86 at his home in Dare County, North Carolina. Most people know Andy from one of the most popular television programs in history, The Andy Griffith Show, which ran from 1960-1968, and the show's theme song is still today one of the most whistled tunes in the world!
But in addition to being an actor and producer, Andy Griffith was also a Southern Gospel songwriter and singer. In fact, Andy won a GRAMMY award for Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album in 1997 for his project, "I Love to Tell the Story - 25 Timeless Hymns". In 1999, Griffith was inducted into the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame with fellow artists Lulu Roman, Barbara Mandrell and others.
He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bush on November 9, 2005, and inducted in to the Christian Music Hall Of Fame in 2007.
