Andy Griffith

He was America's favorite Sheriff, a father every kid would want, a trusted friend, and a beloved singer and storyteller. Since 1960, Andy Griffith had been winning us over with his easy-going charm, his down-home humor, and his common sense approach to life.

Griffith was born in 1926 in a little town called Mount Airy in North Carolina. Mount Airy was always believed to be the inspiration for the fictional town of Mayberry from Andy's most well-known television show, The Andy Giffith Show, as well as Mayberry RFD. But then, that was Andy -- even a fictional representation was a close reflection of the man himself. Fans watched week after week Sheriff Andy Taylor deliver peace and justice with a firm, but patient hand. He was the straight man to Don Knotts' bumbling Barney Fife...and that was on purpose. Griffith himself tells how very early in the process of developing the show it made more sense to play Andy Taylor more level-headed to Knotts' comedic genius. Andy would go on to star in other shows like Matlock as well as take his turn at dramatic movie and TV roles.

But Griffith wasn't just an actor or comedian -- having great success in both areas -- but also had a deep love for music. That love stemmed from his childhood and being raised Baptist. One of his mentors, a local minister in him hometown, taught him to sing and even play the trombone. Andy graduated from UNC in Chapel Hill with a music degree in 1949 and from there he began writing and recording. One of his most famous non-musical recordings was of his story titled What it Was, Was Football, which landed him in the top 10 on the charts in 1954. During his run on TV, he recorded an album of upbeat country and gospel tunes, but Andy kept on singing and recording and even recorded some of his most successful albums filled with Christian hymns in the last two decades. Through his music, he inspired many and continued to bring a smile to the faces of his innumerable fans.

Andy Griffith's legacy will live on because of his passion for laughter and music...and because he shared those passions with all of us. From Mayberry to Matlock to movies and music, Andy Griffith left the world with a flood of memories as he passed away at age 86 on July 3rd, 2012 at his home in North Carolina.