New EP 'American Soundtrack' Out Now,  Visiting Charleston On March 14th Blake Shelton's 'Friends & Heroes Tour'

Jeff Walker,  Entertainment Writer 

Country music singer and guitarist Craig Morgan is the epitome of a Nashville journeyman, and at age 60 he has more in common with everyday Americans than several of his Music City contemporaries. Long before his career took off in 2000 Morgan had been an EMT, served nine years in the US Army, worked in construction, and a security guard, as well as a Walmart employee. 

It's safe to say Morgan's in touch with blue collar America. "Yes and no. I don't have a traditional blue collar job, because my job is to entertain folks. My work is writing songs and singing. I feel blessed the good Lord allowed me to pursue that path. But I don't consider myself any different than the people I'm performing in front of. I still take out my own trash."

If Morgan has deeper ties, it's to our United States armed forces, so much that he re-enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in July 2023. "Those are my people. I'm a soldier, a dad, a husband, and a man of God. Not in that order. I know God comes first. However what I'll tell you, when it comes to the military, and I don't care what branch it is, we all share a particular gene."

He adds, "All of us who serve or have served carry the same energy. We truly feel we are contributing to a common goal. We feel we are protecting the rights, freedoms, and liberties of our country. It's a sense of duty that's hard to explain."

It was a part time job singing demos for a publishing company that lead Morgan to become a recording artist, even though he wasn't actively pursuing singing. "I was happy writing songs. It may have not been fully known to me early on, but before my career started I knew I wanted to stand for something. I soon realized I wanted to honor three cornerstones in my life, and they are God, family, and country. I feel I've stayed true to my convictions."

25 years into his storied career Morgan has charted 18 singles inside the country music Top 40, seven reaching the Top 10, with 'That's What I Love About Sunday' spending four weeks at number one back in early 2005. Among his other signature hits include 'Almost Home', 'Little Bit of Life', 'International Harvester', 'Love Remembers', 'Bonfire', and 'Redneck Yacht Club' which peaked at number two.

While music may have brought him into the limelight, he's ventured in other entertainment areas, becoming a best selling author, actor, and TV personality with 'Craig's World' and 'Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors'. His acting credits include 'Morgan Family Strong' and the CBS reality competition 'Beyond the Edge'.

Morgan made his acting debut in 2012 as a guest star on Lifetime’s hit drama Army Wives filmed here in Charleston SC. "One of my first acting jobs. I didn't really have to act because I was playing myself. I don't consider myself an extremely great actor. I do okay at it, but playing myself and on a show that centers around the military was a no-brainer for me."

Having dipped his toe into several mediums, does he have a favorite. "There are aspects of all of them I enjoy." He jokingly adds, "What I like about acting is I don't have a band to deal with. But honestly, I do enjoy writing, recording, and touring."

If you're not a fan of Craig Morgan (hard to imagine) his inspirational book 'God, Family, Country' might make you think differently. Released in 2022 two years after an album by the same title, Morgan's memoir written with American Sniper co-author Jim DeFelice chronicles his life, revealing never before heard stories. 

Covering 334 pages, his biography includes his re-enlisting in the Army Reserve, how he worked alongside the CIA as a soldier in Panama, fought sex traffickers as an undercover agent in Thailand, forged his own path in country music, and lives his life by the deepest values. God, family, and country. “You can’t have a conversation with me and not hear me talk to about my faith."

The book revisits the tragic drowning death of his 19 year old son Jerry in 2016. However, Morgan hopes it comes with a dose of healing. “There are some difficult moments in the book, especially when I'm talking about my son. It was painful to relive that ordeal, but I do believe it might help someone else reading it.”

In 2019, Morgan poured all his faith and pain into 'The Father, My Son and the Holy Ghost', a track dedicated to Jerry, and included on the 2020 album. Through everything he's endured over the years Morgan says he relies on his relationship with God and family to lift him up. "Without question."

Fans might be a bit amazed at all Morgan accomplished before beginning his solo career at 35. "Most people might be surprised what I did before music. I've always had a heart to serve people. It was instilled in me early on."

He draws comparisons between himself and his current touring partner Blake Shelton. "Blake was one of those guys as a kid with a hairbrush in one hand in front of the mirror, because he knew he wanted to sing. Me on the other hand, I had a badge pretending to be a police officer pulling people over. I've always been drawn to service related professions and jobs that protect people."

Morgan's latest release 'American Soundtrack' produced by Phil O’Donnell and Morgan continues his love of God, family and country. According to his website the six song EP pays tribute to the hard-working, God-fearing people who are the backbone of America. Morgan co-wrote five of the tracks including the title track, and 'Blue Collar Prayer'. The EP was released on February 28th. 

While his faith and love of God are strong, Morgan doesn't use the stage to deliver sermons. "I've been blessed to have that platform, but I'm not a preacher. How I live my life and the messages in several of my songs exemplify my faith, and speak to who I am. I celebrate God through my music."

60 years young Morgan doesn't see himself slowing down anytime soon. "What's that saying from Newton 'a body at motion stays in motion and a body at rest stays at rest'. I'm a firm believer in you have to stay busy mentally, physically, and spiritually."

That might include no longer performing at some point. "As long as I feel I have validity I'll keep at it. When I'm not adding anything to the entertainment world I'll move on. I'm certain I'll know when that time comes." But he won't remain idle or just sit in a rocking chair. "Most days I'd be happy bush hogging or hanging out in remote Alaska."

Morgan and his son Kyle Greer own and operate 'Craig Morgan’s Alaskan Off Grid Experience', providing guests a week's long exposure to what it takes to thrive in such harsh environments called life. Depending on the time of year, activities include fishing, hiking, food gathering, log cabin construction, snowshoe hiking, cross country skiing, ice fishing, and more. "I could see doing it full time. I love the outdoors." 

Thankfully for fans of Morton's music, the 2008 Grand Old Opry inductee who frequently performs on military bases, is currently taking part in Blake Shelton's 'Friends & Heroes Tour. The mega-tour includes Trace Adkins and Deana Carter. "This is an opportunity for me to hang out with people I love and admire. Shows are selling out everywhere, because this is a heavyweight show. Seriously, if I wasn't part of the show, I'd be in the audience watching. I'm just happy Blake invited me along for the ride."

He goes on to say. "Blake, Trace, and I have been friends for a long time. If the three of us weren't singing, we'd all be hunting and fishing together." As for Deana. "She's a sweetheart. So nice and authentic. Honestly, fans are getting a lot of bang for their buck with this tour." Emily Ann Roberts who competed on Team Blake and was a finalist in season nine on The Voice opens the show.

Due to the amount of artists performing, their familiar arsenal of songs, and the time allotted on stage, Morgan admits it's full of fan favorites. "It's a lot to pack in, for that reason it's nothing but hits. Maybe not so much from Emily from The Voice because she's still somewhat new, but for the rest of us it's hit after hit, and that's great for the fans." 

Blake Shelton's 'Friends & Heroes Tour' makes a pit stop at the North Charleston Coliseum on Friday March 14th. With a heavy line-up the concert kicks off at 7pm.

For more visit https://www.northcharlestoncoliseumpac.com/events/detail/blake-shelton-1  For more on Craig Morgan visit his website at https://www.craigmorgan.com/  and if you want to get back to the basics and reconnect with nature try visiting 'Craig Morgan’s Alaskan Off Grid Experience' at https://www.jerrylakealaska.com/