Meet The Owner as Drifter Merch Celebrates 10 Years in Business

As 2026 is in full gear and we celebrate Drifter Merch’s 10th year in business, I wanted to take a moment to reintroduce myself. I’m the owner, Lorrie Dixson Griggs. Originally from Winston-Salem, NC, I now live in beautiful Charleston, SC with my daughter Harper and my boyfriend Josh, who many of you recognize helping out in the tent at shows and markets.

When I’m not fulfilling online orders or selling merch at events, I spend my weekdays running custom merchandise and event advertising orders for businesses, bands, festivals, and events all over the country. I also operate Eskimo Advertising, which I’ve proudly owned for the past 24 years. Additionally, I enjoy producing and promoting pre-show parties, partnering to organize Moontime Markets, and serving as a founding board member of Home Team FM.

One of the projects closest to my heart is Drifter Fest, an annual memorial music festival I started to honor my late husband and Drifter Merch co-founder Bert Griggs. What began as a way to celebrate his life, love of music, and community has grown into a meaningful gathering that brings people together through the same spirit that built this business.

Outside of work, you’ll usually find me with friends and family, on the water, or somewhere with live music playing. I’m excited to see what this year brings and incredibly grateful for all the love and support over the past 10 years. Please give Drifter Merch a follow if you haven’t already. Let’s keep drifting together and see where the music takes us next.

5th Annual Drifter Fest

The 5th Annual Drifter Fest: Bert Griggs Memorial Jam returns to Charleston on September 5th–7th with a dynamic lineup of live music, celebrating the life and legacy of the late Drifter Merch founder Bert Griggs.

The main event takes place on Saturday at the Refinery Amphitheater with a lineup that includes progressive improvisational rock/jam band Big Something headlining along with soulful powerhouse Kanika Moore & The Brown Eyed Bois plus Just Groove. Doors open at 5 p.m. with music starting at 6 p.m.

Tickets are on sale at DrifterFest.com/tickets. General Admission is $30 in advance, $40 on the day of show. With limited availability, $60 VIP tickets are 21 and older only and include GA access, second-level rooftop viewing area overlooking the event with private VIP bar, inside bathrooms, seating, VIP parking, and commemorative laminate.

The festival kicks off on Friday with a free pre-jam event featuring Machine Funk “A Tribute to Widespread Panic” at Home Team BBQ downtown starting at 6 p.m. After-parties will follow on Friday and Saturday at The Commodore from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Then on Sunday, the weekend wraps up with a free show featuring Junco Partner at Vickery’s on Shem Creek from 4-7 p.m.

Drifter Fest is an annual event in Charleston, SC that celebrates the life of the late Bert Griggs, co-founder of Drifter Merch. It has grown into a must-attend community celebration of live music, art, local eats, and specialty drinks. This year, a portion of proceeds will benefit Rock ‘n Roll Rescue, a non profit that allows children access to instruments and music education programs. Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and organizations interested in supporting Drifter Fest and its mission.

For more information, tickets, sponsorship and other FAQ, go to www.drifterfest.com

4th Annual Drifter Fest Lineup Announced in Charleston

Held in downtown Charleston, the 4th Annual Drifter Fest: Bert Griggs Memorial Jam will be on Saturday, September 14th at the Refinery Amphitheater featuring Karl Denson's Tiny Universe, Junco Partner, The Reckoning and Just Groove. Available for sale at noon, general admission tickets are $25 ADV, $35 DOS with VIP at $60 at drifterfest.com/tickets. A free pre-jam will take place on Friday, September 13th at Home Team BBQ with 54 Bicycles. There will also be after parties each night at The Commodore as all as Friday at the Palace Hotel.

Sponsors include Jack Daniel’s Black Label, Clambank Construction, Mass Mutual SC/Hudnall Financial Group, Southern Flavor Magazine, Rodgers Wranglers, The Camden Agency, Lauren Courcoux/Carolina One Real Estate, Cotton Patch Hemp Co., Kickin' Chicken, Garrett Rust, Realtor of Distinction, Corcoran HM Properties, The Corte Foundation, Carolina Audio Video, Closet Factory, and MarkaBull. A talented group of vendors will also be showcasing their wares. Look for Drifter Merch, HoneyCreek Pottery, Reba’s Dancing Dyes, Katie Lindler’s Life in Lyrics, Bright Star Designs and hi Seltzer.

Drifter Fest celebrates the life of the late Bert Griggs. A huge fan of live music, he turned his passion into a well-received apparel and accessories company, Drifter Merch, that was inspired by his favorite bands. Additionally, Bert was an amazing father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He had an innate ability to make everyone he met feel like they were the most important person in the room. Bert never met a stranger. In fact, he was everyone’s best friend. He had the sweetest soul and a tender heart that loved hard and deeply. Bert had a unique sense of humor with an infectious laugh and smile that could light up the darkest room.

For more information about the 4th Annual Drifter Fest: Bert Griggs Memorial Jam, visit www.drifterfest.com.

4th Annual Drifter Fest Announced in Charleston

The 4th Annual Drifter Fest: Bert Griggs Memorial Jam will be on Saturday, September 14th at the Refinery Amphitheater. A pre-jam will take place on Friday, September 13th at Home Team BBQ. Both events will start at 7pm and end at 11pm in Downtown Charleston. There will also be after parties each night at The Commodore. While the musical line up and ticketing will be announced soon, sponsorship and vending opportunities are available now.

Drifter Fest celebrates the life of the late Bert Griggs. A huge fan of live music, he turned his passion into a well-received apparel and accessories company, Drifter Merch, that was inspired by his favorite bands. Additionally, Bert was an amazing father, husband, son, brother, and friend. He had an innate ability to make everyone he met feel like they were the most important person in the room. Bert never met a stranger. In fact, he was everyone’s best friend. He had the sweetest soul and a tender heart that loved hard and deeply. Bert had a unique sense of humor with an infectious laugh and smile that could light up the darkest room.

For more information about the 4th Annual Drifter Fest: Bert Griggs Memorial Jam, visit www.drifterfest.com. 

The 2nd Annual Drifter Fest: Bert Griggs Memorial Jam Announced

Presented by Drifter Merch and Ear for Music, 2nd Annual Drifter Fest: Bert Griggs Memorial Jam will be held on Saturday, September 11th from 7-11pm. The first event to be held at the new Refinery Amphitheater in Downtown Charleston, Drifter Fest will feature live music from jam band Indecision with local favorite Junco Partner opening. A free pre-jam to kick off the weekend festivities will be held on Friday, September 10th at Home Team BBQ downtown with entertainment provided by Atlanta’s Last Waltz Ensemble.

A portion of proceeds will benefit Carolina Studios, founded right here in the Lowcountry by Hootie and the Blowfish’s Mark Bryan to foster creative, educational, and career-focused initiatives for students through music, technology and media arts. In partnership with local businesses, sponsors include Slane Irish Whiskey, Truly Hard Seltzer, Southern Flavor Magazine, Eskimo Advertising, Rodgers Wranglers, Mass Mutual South Carolina and Carolina Audio Video. Providing a true festival experience, the event will have craft vendors that include Drifter Merch, Zinnialou Jewelry, Cotton Patch Hemp, and GrillKilt. Additionally, there will be food trucks including local favorites Callie’s Biscuits and The Immortal Lobster. 

Saturday’s event will be ticketed with general admission available for $20 in advance and $25 on the day of the event. A limited number of $50 VIP tickets will include GA access plus a second level viewing area above the event, two drink tickets, private bar, seating, bathrooms & premium parking as well as a commemorative laminate. Tickets go on sale on Friday, July 9th at 10am at City Paper Tickets.

Drifter Fest celebrates the life of the late Bert Griggs. A huge fan of live music, Bert also turned his passion into a well received apparel and accessories company, Drifter Merch, that was inspired by his favorite bands. Additionally, Bert was an amazing father, husband, son, brother, and friend. Bert had an innate ability to make everyone he met feel like they were the most important person in the room. He never met a stranger. In fact, he was everyone’s best friend. He had the sweetest soul and a tender heart that loved hard and deeply. Bert had a unique sense of humor with an infectious laugh and smile that could light up the darkest room. 

For more information about the 2nd Annual Drifter Fest: Bert Griggs Memorial Jam, visit
www.drifterfest.com.