GASTONIA, N.C. — A Gaston County teenager was told she couldn't return for her final year at Cramerton Christian Academy after performing at a venue that serves alcohol. Now, she's officially been added to a music festival lineup.
Bailey Griggs -- known professionally as Bailey Marie -- is a singer-songwriter who has been performing wherever she can to share her music with others. Earlier this week, she spoke to WCNC Charlotte's Austin Walker after her school expelled her, saying she had broken 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 said.
She already had an upcoming show on Aug. 9 at Coyote Joe's to look forward to, but now, she's added something even bigger to her calendar -- something she wouldn't have been permitted to do before under school policy.
Griggs has been added to the lineup for the Field & Stream Music Fest in Winnsboro, South Carolina. She'll join a star-studded lineup featuring Eric Church, Lynyrd Skynyrd and more.
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Southern Entertainment's Bob Durkin, the festival's producer, told WCNC Charlotte they felt for her when they heard about her story. He said he understood her school had rules, but that Griggs was just trying to put herself out there.
"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. "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."
She's now the first of multiple artists from the Carolinas to be added to the lineup, Durkin said. The festival will have multiple stages with opportunities to highlight local artists.
When asked what advice he would give Griggs, Durkin said she should just be herself and enjoy it.
"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."
In a news release, Griggs said she was grateful to be a part of the festival.
"Being unable to return to school, especially for my senior year, was shocking," she said. "I performed at any venue I could to connect with fans and pursue my dreams. This opportunity is beyond what I imagined. I deeply appreciate the community for spreading my story! I truly believe in the saying, 'When one door closes, another opens.'"
The festival runs from Oct. 4 through Oct. 6, and tickets are still available online.
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