5 Things to Know About Patty Griffin's Grammy Win for Downtown Church

Patty Griffin won the Grammy for Best Folk Album in 2011 for Downtown Church. It was her first Grammy win after years of making essential singer-songwriter records.

The album is a gospel record, not a typical folk album. Griffin recorded it in a historic church in Nashville, giving it a raw, live sound.

The win was overdue. Griffin had been releasing critically acclaimed albums since the 1990s, making this recognition long-deserved.

Downtown Church features covers of traditional hymns and spirituals. Griffin’s interpretations are stripped-down and emotionally direct, avoiding overproduction.

The album beat out strong competition. Other nominees included folk heavyweights like John Prine and Levon Helm, making the win more significant.