Craig Morgan
Craig Morgan | |
---|---|
Broken Bow | |
Website | craigmorgan.com |
Craig Morgan Greer (born July 17, 1964) is an American
Morgan has charted seventeen times on the Billboard country charts. Besides "That's What I Love About Sunday", six more of his singles have reached that chart's top ten: "Almost Home", "Redneck Yacht Club", "Little Bit of Life", "International Harvester", "Love Remembers", and "Bonfire".
Biography
Craig Morgan Greer was born in Kingston Springs, Tennessee, on July 17, 1964. He became an emergency medical technician at age 18. He served on active duty for nine and a half years in the US Army as a member of the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions and remained in the reserves for another six and a half years.[2] He took part in the U.S. Invasion of Panama in 1989.[3] On July 29, 2023 Morgan re-enlisted in the US Army Reserve while on stage at the Grand Ole Opry. The oath of enlistment was administered by Gen. Andrew Poppas, commander of the United States Army Forces Command while Command Sergeant Major Todd Sims and Senator Marsha Blackburn stood by him on stage. It was in fact Senator Blackburn who played a key role in Morgan's re-enlistment.[4]
Musical career
Upon his return home to Tennessee, he worked various jobs to support his family, including as a construction worker, a security guard and a
2002–2004: I Love It
In 2002, Morgan signed with
2005–2006: My Kind of Livin'
Morgan released his third album, My Kind of Livin', in 2004. It included eight songs that he co-wrote, and guest vocals from John Conlee and Brad Paisley on "Blame Me".[16] The first single release, "That's What I Love About Sunday", became his only No. 1 on the country charts, spending four weeks in that position while also reaching No. 51 on the Hot 100.[1] It was also the first No. 1 single for the Broken Bow label, as well as the first independently distributed single to top the country charts in five years, and the first such single to spend multiple weeks at that position since The Kendalls' "Heaven's Just a Sin Away" in 1977.[16] "That's What I Love About Sunday" also placed at No. 1 on that year's Billboard Year-End charts for the country format.[10][17]
The album's next single, "Redneck Yacht Club", reached No. 2 on the country charts and accounted for his highest peak on the Hot 100, where it went to 45.[1] After it came "I Got You". Morgan wrote this song while on tour with Keith Urban, with the intention of having Urban record it, but decided to keep it for himself after recording a demo of it.[18] My Kind of Livin' was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipping 500,000 copies, and "Redneck Yacht Club" received a gold single certification for 500,000 music downloads.[1] Chris Willman of Entertainment Weekly gave the album a B rating, saying in his review that "Morgan's is an idealized Kind of Americana, to be sure. But at least he provides enough writerly detail to avoid setting off smarm alarms."[19] Country Standard Time reviewer Jeffrey B. Remz was generally favorable in his review, saying that Morgan has "a strong voice" and "a number of quality songs", but his review criticized the album's "big and clean" production.[20]
2006–2008: Little Bit of Life and Greatest Hits
His third and final album for Broken Bow, Little Bit of Life, was issued in 2006. Morgan and O'Donnell co-produced the album with Keith Stegall, a record producer known for his work with Alan Jackson,[10] and Morgan co-wrote four of its eleven songs.[21] The label shipped more than 200,000 copies of the album in its first week, and made special exclusive releases for retailers such as Target and Walmart.[10] Three singles were issued: the title track, "Tough", and "International Harvester", all of which made the Hot Country Songs charts. Kevin Oliver of Country Standard Time commended the album's neotraditionalist sound and called Morgan "a classic country singer" but said that, beyond the title track and "Tough", "the traditional sound is mostly wasted."[22] Billboard reviewer Deborah Evans Price gave "Tough" a positive review, praising Morgan's "strong, warm voice" and calling the song "yet another gem" from the album.[23] A greatest hits package followed in February 2008, shortly before his departure from Broken Bow.[24]
2008–2010: That's Why
On September 18, 2008, Morgan was invited by John Conlee to become a member of the
2011–2015: This Ole Boy, The Journey (Livin' Hits)
On April 1, 2011, Morgan signed with Black River Entertainment. Two months later, he sang guest vocals on Colt Ford's single "She Likes to Ride in Trucks".[32] Morgan's first release for Black River was "This Ole Boy",[33] a song co-written by The Peach Pickers (Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, and Ben Hayslip) that also appears on Joe Nichols' 2011 album It's All Good.[34] The song is the title track to Morgan's first Black River album, This Ole Boy, which was released on February 28, 2012. The title track was a Top 20 hit for Morgan on the Hot Country Songs chart. After it, "Corn Star" failed to make Top 40, while "More Trucks Than Cars" reached top 30. In July 2013, Morgan released "Wake Up Lovin' You", the first single from his second compilation album The Journey (Livin' Hits).[35] Morgan canceled several shows in May 2014 due to surgical complications for torn tendons in his shoulders.[36]
2015–present: A Whole Lot More to Me
The lead single to Morgan's third album for Black River Entertainment, "When I'm Gone", was released to digital retailers on September 18, 2015, and to radio on September 21, 2015.[37] The song peaked at number 48 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. The album, A Whole Lot More to Me, was released on June 3, 2016.[38]
In 2019, Morgan released a new single called "The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost," written about the grief he experiences after his son Jerry's death at the age of 19.[39] Upon hearing the song, Blake Shelton started a campaign on Twitter to help boost the song's chart position.[40] Following this song's release, Morgan was re-signed to Broken Bow for distribution of the single.[41]
Personal life
Morgan is married to wife Karen with whom he has five children: daughters Marisa and Alexandra and sons Kyle, Jerry, and Wyatt. As of 2009, he and his family resided in Dickson, Tennessee.[42] He is a convert to the Catholic faith.[43]
In February 2011, Morgan rescued two young children from a burning house in Dickson, Tennessee, and helped put out the fire using a fire hose.[44]
On April 23, 2011, Morgan became an honorary initiate of the Delta Theta chapter of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
On July 10, 2016, Morgan's son, Jerry Greer, went missing after falling off an inner tube in Kentucky Lake on the Tennessee River. His body was recovered one day later. He was 19 years old.[45]
Charitable efforts
Morgan frequently performs at military bases both in the U.S. and abroad and on
Discography
- Albums
- Craig Morgan (2000)
- I Love It (2003)
- My Kind of Livin' (2005)
- Little Bit of Life (2006)
- Greatest Hits (2008)
- That's Why (2008)
- This Ole Boy (2012)
- The Journey (Livin' Hits) (2013)
- A Whole Lot More to Me (2016)
- God, Family, Country (2020)
- Top ten singles (U.S. Hot Country Songs)
- "Almost Home" (No. 6, 2003)
- "That's What I Love About Sunday" (No. 1, 2004–2005)
- "Redneck Yacht Club" (No. 2, 2005)
- "Little Bit of Life" (No. 7, 2006–2007)
- "International Harvester" (No. 10, 2007–2008)
- "Love Remembers" (No. 9, 2008)
- "Bonfire" (No. 4, 2009)
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
- ^ "Craig Morgan rocks the runway, entertains Fort Bragg Soldiers, Pope AFB Airmen, Families". army.mil. September 24, 2010. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
- ^ Barber, James (October 12, 2022). "Read About Country Singer Craig Morgan's Combat Service in This Exclusive Book Excerpt". Military.com. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ SHKOLNIKOVA, SVETLANA. "'I still have more to give': Country singer Craig Morgan reenlists in Army at 59". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ CMT. Archivedfrom the original on February 21, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ a b Orr, Jay (June 7, 2000). "Newcomer Craig Morgan makes recording debut". CMT. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
- ^ Weisberger, Jon. "Craig Morgan review". Country Standard Time. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
- ^ Patterson, Jim (April 22, 2000). "Morgan offers an ode to military". The Ledger. Archived from the original on January 3, 2020. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
- ^ Nielsen Business Media, Inc (December 16, 2000). "Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart". Billboard. p. 38. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
{{cite magazine}}
:|author1=
has generic name (help) - ^ a b c d e Havighurst, Craig (November 4, 2006). "Craig Morgan and Broken Bow Records Raise the Bar". Billboard. p. 87. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
- ^ I Love It (Media notes). Craig Morgan. Broken Bow Records. 2002. BB-75672.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ "Singles Minded". Billboard. March 29, 2003. p. 55. Archived from the original on May 12, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2018.
- ^ "Music Row Awards Herald 'Almost Home'". Broadcast Music Incorporated. June 10, 2004. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved March 4, 2010.
- ^ Cohoon, Rick. "I Love It review". Allmusic. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
- ^ Remz, Jeffrey B. "I Love It review". Country Standard Time. Archived from the original on October 26, 2007. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
- ^ a b Stark, Phyllis (April 2, 2005). "Morgan Brings Indie Broken Bow a No. 1". Billboard. p. 26. Retrieved September 29, 2009.
- ^ "Year End Charts – Year-end Singles – Hot Country Songs". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on November 18, 2007. Retrieved August 31, 2009.
- ^ Morris, Edward (November 22, 2005). "ASCAP Salutes Singer, Writers of "Redneck Yacht Club"". CMT. Archived from the original on August 14, 2006. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ Willman, Chris (March 14, 2005). "My Kind of Livin' review". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 21, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ Remz, Jeffrey B. "My Kind of Livin' review". Country Standard Time. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. November 6, 2006. Retrieved February 17, 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Oliver, Kevin. "Little Bit of Life review". Country Standard Time. Archived from the original on October 26, 2007. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
- ^ Price, Deborah Evans (March 31, 2007). "Single reviews". Billboard. p. 52.
- ^ a b Tucker, Ken (February 14, 2008). "Morgan Exits Broken Bow; Valory Next?". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 7, 2009. Retrieved September 22, 2009.
- ^ "News : Headlines : Craig Morgan: From the Army to the Opry : Great American Country". Archived from the original on January 24, 2013. Retrieved October 10, 2008.
- ^ "Craig Morgan Inducted as Newest Member of the Grand Ole Opry: Officially Inducted by Opry Member John Conlee", Grand Ole Opry official website, October 26, 2008 Archived May 8, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 26, 2008.
- ^ "Craig Morgan releases That's Why on BNA Records". CMT. October 21, 2008. Archived from the original on October 25, 2008. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ "Craig Morgan's "God Must Really Love Me" Video Wins Award". CMT. October 16, 2009. Archived from the original on January 8, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "That's Why review". Allmusic. Retrieved May 18, 2009.
- ^ Phillips, Jessica. "That's Why review". Country Standard Time. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008. Retrieved May 18, 2009.
- ^ Horner, Marianne (February 11, 2011). "Craig Morgan leaves BNA Records". The Boot. Archived from the original on February 15, 2011. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ "The Story Behind "She Likes To Ride in Trucks"". Colt Ford. April 19, 2011. Retrieved June 25, 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Craig Morgan signs with Black River". Country Standard Time. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved April 1, 2011.
- ^ Nicholson, Jessica (November 28, 2011). "New music". Country Weekly. 18 (48): 56.
- ISSN 1074-3235.
- ^ "Craig Morgan Undergoes Shoulder Surgery, Cancels Shows". Tasteofcountry.com. Archived from the original on August 13, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
- ^ "New Craig Morgan Single 'When I'm Gone' Ships To Country Radio". For The Country Record. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
- ^ "Craig Morgan Will Release New Album On June 3". Musicrow.com. April 26, 2016. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
- ^ "Watch Craig Morgan Perform Heart-Wrenching Song for His Late Son". Tasteofcountry.com. Archived from the original on September 17, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
- ^ "Blake Shelton Takes Over Radio Promotion for Craig Morgan". Cmt.com. October 9, 2019. Archived from the original on September 14, 2019. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
- ^ "Craig Morgan Reunites With Broken Bow Records". September 16, 2019. Archived from the original on December 28, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
- ^ "Craig Morgan Biography". Sony BNA Nashville. Archived from the original on May 25, 2010. Retrieved December 29, 2009.
- ^ "Country star Craig Morgan shares his journey of faith to becoming Catholic. Published Dec. 9 2023. Nation". www.thebostonpilot.com. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ "Country Artist Craig Morgan Rescues Two Children From Fire". PopEater. Archived from the original on February 16, 2011. Retrieved February 15, 2011.
- ^ Gadd, Chris; Watts, Cindy; Simmons, Andy (July 12, 2016). "Body of Craig Morgan's son found after Tennessee River search". wbir.com. Retrieved July 12, 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Home". Usometrodc.org. Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
- ^ Rampa, Michael (April 16, 2012). "Q&A: Craig Morgan « American Songwriter". Americansongwriter.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2016.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on July 1, 2007. Retrieved September 16, 2016.
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: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ [1][dead link]