Teenage musician expelled by her Christian high school for absurd reason reveals how she had the last laugh
A teenage singer-songwriter who was expelled from her Christian school for performing at venues that serve alcohol claims the decision has only propelled her career further.
Bailey Griggs, 17, who performs under the name Bailey Marie, was told via email that she could not return to Cramerton Christian Academy in Gaston County, North Carolina for her senior year.
The decision was due to her taking gigs at local venues that serve alcohol, violating school policies.
But the teen has turned the setback into an opportunity as she landed a spot at a major music festival alongside country music stars.
'This opportunity is beyond what I imagined,' she told WTSP. 'I deeply appreciate the community for spreading my story! I truly believe in the saying, 'When one door closes, another opens.'
A teenage singer-songwriter who was expelled from her Christian school for performing at venues that serve alcohol has taken revenge on her old teachers
The teen is turning the setback into an opportunity as she landed a spot at a major music festival alongside country music stars
The school informed her that she couldn't return for her senior year because the aspiring musician had been taking gigs at local venues that serve alcohol, violating school policies
'My mom showed me an email from the school, saying they don't want me to come back there because I perform in venues that serve alcohol,' Griggs told WCNC Charlotte..
'Being unable to return to school, especially for my senior year, was shocking. I performed at any venue I could to connect with fans and pursue my dreams.'
She has been added to the lineup of the Field & Stream Music Fest in Winnsboro, South Carolina, where she'll share the stage with country music superstars Eric Church and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Griggs expressed confusion about her school's policy that led to her expulsion.
'You can go to a restaurant, they serve alcohol, Griggs said. 'You can go to an Olive Garden. It's the most innocent restaurant, but they serve alcohol. If you're going to kick me out, might as well kick the whole school out.'
'This is the one thing that's very normal for me,' Griggs said. 'I was on the cheer team, that was super important to me, and that's what I was looking forward to in the next year.'
Bob Durkin, the festival's producer, told WCNC Charlotte that they were moved by Griggs' story.
'I think people should be rewarded for that, and they should talk about how strong and kind of independent it is for such a young person at that age to take it upon themselves to get in front of all those people,' Durkin said.
After just a few years performing in North Carolina, Baily was discovered by Dolly Parton's producer Kent Wells
She has been added to the lineup of the Field & Stream Music Fest in Winnsboro, South Carolina, where she'll share the stage with country music superstars Eric Church and Lynyrd Skynyrd
'I think she should be supported for that. So you know, we want to be able to help and help make that happen for her.'
Durkin said the aspiring singer should just enjoy her moment.
'Soak it in, she's going to be playing with some really big names,' Durkin said. 'Take it all in, you know, take some chances, let people know what she can do and, and just really have fun with it.'
Griggs said at the end of the day, she came out on top.
'It really tears you down, but at the end, when you are overcoming it, you realize it's beautiful it happened,' Griggs said. 'You will come out on top.'
