Biography
Debra Griner’s passion for music was sparked in her early childhood in Bergen County, New Jersey. Her father, a municipal worker, was an avid record collector, who sang and played guitar, banjo and accordion. His musical tastes ranged from country greats like Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and Hank Williams to folk icon Pete Seeger, folk-rock pioneers The Byrds, and Broadway star Julie Andrews. “Our house was alive with music,” she recalls. “It was either spinning on the stereo or my father was taking center stage in our living room. We’d sing, bang a tambourine or blow on a harmonica just to be part of it. He showed me a few chords when I was about 12 years old, and I’ve been playing them ever since!”
Her most formative influence came during her teenage years when she discovered Joni Mitchell. “I wore out that Joni Mitchell Made Easy for Guitar book trying to play the songs I listened to constantly. I wanted to paint pictures with words the way she did and sing them over those gorgeous chord voicings.”
While music was her foundation, Debra also had a passion for acting and it was the call of the theatre that brought her to NYC in her early twenties. At the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, she immersed herself in singing, dancing, and acting, later performing in Off-Broadway productions and cabaret venues such as Don’t Tell Mama and Danny’s Skylight Room. Inspired by her work in educational theatre, she welcomed the opportunity to teach—a role that kept her connected to both music and young audiences, until Nashville called her to the next chapter of her musical journey.
In late 2022, Debra followed her heart to Music City to focus fully on performing and songwriting. She has been warmly embraced by respected writers such as Country Music Hall of Fame member, Rory Bourke (The Most Beautiful Girl) and Buddy Mondlock (The Kid), along with Grammy winners Steve Leslie (Brand New Strings) and Don Henry and Jon Vezner (Where’ve You Been?). Henry and Vezner also contributed backup vocals, while Leslie co-produced her most recent project, A Place to Start.
Her path has led her from the stage at ROMP Bluegrass Festival in Owensboro, KY, performing with American Flyer, to touring Holland with Bianca Bob and Flystrip, later releasing her debut singer-songwriter album, Bound to Rise, at the iconic Bitter End in New York City.
Debra’s music has reached audiences through numerous performances and interviews, including appearances on the Equestrian Legacy Radio Network’s Live: From Nashville, Kim Wood’s Hang On to Your Daydreams podcast, WMOT’s Finally Friday showcase, and WDVX Knoxville’s Blue Plate Special.
Debra’s work has drawn critical praise. Folk legend Tom Paxton described it as, “What a smile sounds like,” while Relix magazine noted that A Place to Start “only reinforces Paxton’s words.” Americana Highways added, “Debra Griner’s lilting vocal dazzles like musical watercolors with the country-inflected voice of a calico angel. She digs into the past for her influences yet comes up musically fresh each time.
Now based in Nashville, she is surrounded by world-class musicians and inspiring songwriters, finding herself at home in a community that continues to fuel her passion for music.