Craig Morgan: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|American musical artist}} |
{{short description|American musical artist}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}} |
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2020}} |
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{{Infobox musical artist |
{{Infobox musical artist |
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|name = Craig Morgan |
| name = Craig Morgan |
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|image = Craig Morgan Performing.jpg |
| image = Craig Morgan Performing.jpg |
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|caption = Craig Morgan performing in Florida in 2011 |
| caption = Craig Morgan performing in Florida in 2011 |
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|background = solo_singer |
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| genre = [[Country music|Country]] |
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| occupation = Singer-songwriter |
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| years_active = 2000–present |
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|years_active = 2000–present |
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| module = {{Infobox military person |embed=yes |
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| allegiance = [[United States]] |
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|associated_acts = Phil O'Donnell |
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| branch = [[United States Army]] |
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| unit = [[82nd Airborne Division]] <br/>[[101st Airborne Division]] |
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| rank = [[Warrant officer (United States)|Warrant Officer 1]] |
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| serviceyears = 1982-1997<br/>2023 - present |
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'''Craig Morgan Greer''' (born July 17, 1964) is an American [[country music]] artist. A veteran of the [[United States Army]] as a [[Forward observers in the U.S. military|forward observer]], Morgan began his musical career in 2000 on [[Atlantic Records]], releasing his [[Craig Morgan (album)|self-titled debut album]] for that label before the closure of its Nashville division in 2000. In 2002, Morgan signed to the independent [[Broken Bow Records]], on which he released three studio albums: 2003's ''[[I Love It (album)|I Love It]]'', 2005's ''[[My Kind of Livin']]'', and 2006's ''[[Little Bit of Life]]''. These produced several chart hits, including "[[That's What I Love About Sunday]]", which spent four weeks at the top of the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' country charts while also holding the No. 1 position on that year's [[Billboard Year-End|''Billboard'' Year-End]] chart for the country format. A [[Greatest Hits (Craig Morgan album)|greatest hits]] package followed in mid-2008 before Morgan signed to [[BNA Records]] and released ''[[That's Why (album)|That's Why]]'' later that same year. After exiting BNA, Morgan signed with [[Black River Entertainment]] and released ''[[This Ole Boy]]'' in 2012, followed by ''[[A Whole Lot More to Me]]'' in 2016. |
'''Craig Morgan Greer''' (born July 17, 1964) is an American [[country music]] artist. A veteran of the [[United States Army]] as a [[Forward observers in the U.S. military|forward observer]] and current member of the [[United States Army Reserve]], Morgan began his musical career in 2000 on [[Atlantic Records]], releasing his [[Craig Morgan (album)|self-titled debut album]] for that label before the closure of its Nashville division in 2000. In 2002, Morgan signed to the independent [[Broken Bow Records]], on which he released three studio albums: 2003's ''[[I Love It (album)|I Love It]]'', 2005's ''[[My Kind of Livin']]'', and 2006's ''[[Little Bit of Life]]''. These produced several chart hits, including "[[That's What I Love About Sunday]]", which spent four weeks at the top of the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' country charts while also holding the No. 1 position on that year's [[Billboard Year-End|''Billboard'' Year-End]] chart for the country format. A [[Greatest Hits (Craig Morgan album)|greatest hits]] package followed in mid-2008 before Morgan signed to [[BNA Records]] and released ''[[That's Why (album)|That's Why]]'' later that same year. After exiting BNA, Morgan signed with [[Black River Entertainment]] and released ''[[This Ole Boy]]'' in 2012, followed by ''[[A Whole Lot More to Me]]'' in 2016. |
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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 (Craig Morgan song)|Almost Home]]", "[[Redneck Yacht Club]]", "[[Little Bit of Life (song)|Little Bit of Life]]", "[[International Harvester (song)|International Harvester]]", "[[Love Remembers]]", and "[[Bonfire (song)|Bonfire]]". |
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 (Craig Morgan song)|Almost Home]]", "[[Redneck Yacht Club]]", "[[Little Bit of Life (song)|Little Bit of Life]]", "[[International Harvester (song)|International Harvester]]", "[[Love Remembers]]", and "[[Bonfire (Craig Morgan song)|Bonfire]]". |
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==Biography== |
==Biography== |
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[[File:Craig Morgan USO 1.jpg|thumb|left|Craig Morgan during a [[USO]] performance, March 20, 2007]] |
[[File:Craig Morgan USO 1.jpg|thumb|left|Craig Morgan during a [[USO]] performance, March 20, 2007]] |
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Craig Morgan Greer was born in [[Kingston Springs, Tennessee]], on July 17, 1964. |
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 [[United States Army|US Army]] as a member of the [[101st Airborne Division|101st]] and [[82nd Airborne Division]]s and remained in the Army Reserve for another six and a half years.<ref>{{cite news|title=Craig Morgan rocks the runway, entertains Fort Bragg Soldiers, Pope AFB Airmen, Families|url=http://www.army.mil/article/45659/|publisher=[[United States Army|army.mil]]|date=September 24, 2010|access-date=August 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923223426/http://www.army.mil/article/45659/|archive-date=September 23, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> He took part in the U.S. [[United States invasion of Panama|Invasion of Panama]] in 1989.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barber |first=James |date=2022-10-12 |title=Read About Country Singer Craig Morgan's Combat Service in This Exclusive Book Excerpt |url=https://www.military.com/off-duty/books/2022/10/11/read-about-country-singer-craig-morgans-combat-service-exclusive-book-excerpt.html |access-date=2023-12-15 |website=Military.com |language=en}}</ref> On July 29, 2023, Morgan re-enlisted in the [[United States Army Reserve|US Army Reserve]] while on stage at the [[Grand Ole Opry]]. The oath of enlistment was administered by Gen. [[Andrew P. Poppas|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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=SHKOLNIKOVA |first1=SVETLANA |title='I still have more to give': Country singer Craig Morgan reenlists in Army at 59 |url=https://www.stripes.com/branches/army/2023-07-30/army-country-singer-reenlist-recruitment-veteran-10907872.html |website=Stars and Stripes |access-date=30 July 2023}}</ref> |
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==Musical career== |
==Musical career== |
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Upon his return home to Tennessee, he worked various jobs to support his family, including as a construction worker, a security guard and a [[Wal-Mart]] employee.<ref name="cmtbio">{{cite web |url=http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/morgan_craig/bio.jhtml |title=Craig Morgan biography |work=[[Country Music Television|CMT]] | |
Upon his return home to Tennessee, he worked various jobs to support his family, including as a construction worker, a security guard and a [[Wal-Mart]] employee.<ref name="cmtbio">{{cite web |url=http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/morgan_craig/bio.jhtml |title=Craig Morgan biography |work=[[Country Music Television|CMT]] |access-date=January 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221015341/http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/morgan_craig/bio.jhtml |archive-date=February 21, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He would later land a job in [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]] singing [[demo (music)|demos]] for other songwriters and publishing companies.<ref name="cmtbio"/> The demos led to releasing his first album with [[Atlantic Records]], the self-titled ''[[Craig Morgan (album)|Craig Morgan]]'' in 2000. It produced three singles including "[[Something to Write Home About (song)|Something to Write Home About]]", which reached number 39 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now [[Hot Country Songs]]) charts.<ref name="whitburn">{{cite book |last=Whitburn |first=Joel |author-link=Joel Whitburn |title=Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008 |publisher=Record Research, Inc |year=2008 |page=285 |isbn=978-0-89820-177-2}}</ref> The album was produced by [[Buddy Cannon]] and [[Norro Wilson]], with co-writing credits from Cannon, [[Bill Anderson (singer)|Bill Anderson]] and [[Harley Allen]] among others.<ref name="newcomer">{{cite web |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1472909/newcomer-craig-morgan-makes-recording-debut.jhtml |title=Newcomer Craig Morgan makes recording debut |last=Orr |first=Jay |date=June 7, 2000 |work=CMT |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607020422/http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1472909/newcomer-craig-morgan-makes-recording-debut.jhtml |archive-date=June 7, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The album's final track, "I Wish I Could See Bakersfield", included a recitation from [[Merle Haggard]].<ref name="newcomer"/> ''[[Country Standard Time]]'' critic Jon Weisberger gave the album a mixed review, saying that Morgan had a strong singing voice but that most of the songs were "by-the-numbers".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=631 |title=''Craig Morgan'' review |last=Weisberger |first=Jon |work=Country Standard Time |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214185824/http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=631 |archive-date=February 14, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Jim Patterson of ''The Ledger'' said that lead-off single "Something to Write Home About" was "pedestrian", but that the rest of the album was "an uncommonly assured hard-country effort".<ref name="ode">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LPoSAAAAIBAJ&pg=6256,419555&dq=craig-morgan+atlantic-records |title=Morgan offers an ode to military |last=Patterson |first=Jim |date=April 22, 2000 |work=The Ledger |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103125240/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=LPoSAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Z_0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6256,419555&dq=craig-morgan+atlantic-records |archive-date=January 3, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Late in the year, Morgan charted a Christmas single entitled "The Kid in Me".<ref>{{cite magazine|author1=Nielsen Business Media, Inc|date=December 16, 2000 |title=Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart|magazine=Billboard|page=38|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OxEEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Craig%20morgan%22%20%22the%20kid%20in%20me%22%20-lyrics%20-mp3%20-download&pg=PA38|access-date=September 22, 2009}}</ref> Morgan left Atlantic Records in early 2001 when the label closed its Nashville branch, but said that he was not afraid of his musical future because he still had a publishing contract at the time.<ref name="bar">{{cite magazine |last=Havighurst |first=Craig |date=November 4, 2006 |title=Craig Morgan and Broken Bow Records Raise the Bar |magazine=Billboard |page=87 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pg8EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Craig%20morgan%22%20%22atlantic%20records&pg=PA87 |access-date=September 22, 2009}}</ref> |
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===2002–2004: ''I Love It''=== |
===2002–2004: ''I Love It''=== |
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In 2002, Morgan signed with [[Broken Bow Records]]. The label released his second album, ''[[I Love It (album)|I Love It]]'', in March 2003. Leading off this album was "God, Family and Country", a song dedicated to former Nashville session drummer Randy Hardison, with backing vocals from the group [[4 Runner|4 Runner]].<ref name="liner">{{cite AV media notes |title=I Love It |others=Craig Morgan |year=2002 |publisher=Broken Bow Records |id=BB-75672}}</ref> It peaked at number 49 on the country charts. Following this song was Morgan's |
In 2002, Morgan signed with [[Broken Bow Records]]. The label released his second album, ''[[I Love It (album)|I Love It]]'', in March 2003. Leading off this album was "God, Family and Country", a song dedicated to former Nashville session drummer Randy Hardison, with backing vocals from the group [[4 Runner|4 Runner]].<ref name="liner">{{cite AV media notes |title=I Love It |others=Craig Morgan |year=2002 |publisher=Broken Bow Records |id=BB-75672}}</ref> It peaked at number 49 on the country charts. Following this song was Morgan's second Top 40 hit, "[[Almost Home (Craig Morgan song)|Almost Home]]". The song originally fell off the Hot Country Songs charts from a peak position of number 33. However, it experienced an unexpected increase in airplay after falling off the charts, so it was reinstated at the number 25 position three weeks later.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=March 29, 2003|title=Singles Minded|magazine=Billboard|page=55|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qw8EAAAAMBAJ&q=%22almost+home%22|access-date=August 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512093746/https://books.google.com/books?id=Qw8EAAAAMBAJ&printsec=frontcover&lr=&rview=1#v=onepage&q=%22almost%20home%22&f=false|archive-date=May 12, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> After re-entering the charts, the song went on to a new peak position of number six on Hot Country Songs, also reaching number 59 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]].<ref name="whitburn"/> In addition, it won Morgan and co-writer Kerry Kurt Phillips a Song of the Year award from [[Broadcast Music Incorporated]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234093 |title=Music Row Awards Herald 'Almost Home' |date=June 10, 2004 |work=Broadcast Music Incorporated |access-date=March 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606195954/http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/234093 |archive-date=June 6, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> The album's next two singles, "[[Every Friday Afternoon]]" and "Look at Us", both reached the country top 30. By 2004, the album had sold more than 300,000 copies, and its success was cited by ''Billboard'' as the beginning of a new wave of commercial success among independently signed country music artists.<ref name="bar"/> Rick Cohoon of [[Allmusic]] gave ''I Love It'' four stars out of five, saying that Morgan's songwriting was "well-crafted" and that his service in the Army justified the patriotic themes of "God, Family and Country".<ref>{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r629128|pure_url=yes}} |title=''I Love It'' review |last=Cohoon |first=Rick |work=Allmusic |access-date=September 22, 2009}}</ref> Jeffrey B. Remz of ''Country Standard Time'' commended the album for maintaining a [[neotraditionalist country]] sound, but said that the ballads were "generic".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=630&t=I_Love_It |title=''I Love It'' review |last=Remz |first=Jeffrey B. |work=Country Standard Time |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026074428/http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=630&t=I_Love_It |archive-date=October 26, 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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===2005–2006: ''My Kind of Livin{{apostrophe}}''=== |
===2005–2006: ''My Kind of Livin{{apostrophe}}''=== |
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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".<ref name="notch"/> 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.<ref name="whitburn"/> 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.<ref name="notch">{{cite |
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".<ref name="notch"/> 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.<ref name="whitburn"/> 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.<ref name="notch">{{cite magazine|last=Stark|first=Phyllis|date=April 2, 2005 |title=Morgan Brings Indie Broken Bow a No. 1|magazine=Billboard|page=26|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_BMEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Craig%20morgan%22%20%22atlantic%20records&pg=PA26|access-date=September 29, 2009}}</ref> "That's What I Love About Sunday" also placed at No. 1 on that year's [[Billboard Year-End]] charts for the country format.<ref name="bar"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2005/hot-country-songs |title=Year End Charts – Year-end Singles – Hot Country Songs |publisher=Billboard.com |access-date=August 31, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071118140651/http://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2005/hot-country-songs |archive-date=November 18, 2007}}</ref> |
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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.<ref name="whitburn"/> After it came "[[I Got You (Craig Morgan song)|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/articles/1514381/20051122/morgan_craig.jhtml?headlines=true |title=ASCAP Salutes Singer, Writers of "Redneck Yacht Club" |last=Morris |first=Edward |date=November 22, 2005 |work=CMT | |
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.<ref name="whitburn"/> After it came "[[I Got You (Craig Morgan song)|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/articles/1514381/20051122/morgan_craig.jhtml?headlines=true |title=ASCAP Salutes Singer, Writers of "Redneck Yacht Club" |last=Morris |first=Edward |date=November 22, 2005 |work=CMT |access-date=January 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060814001716/http://www.cmt.com/news/articles/1514381/20051122/morgan_craig.jhtml?headlines=true |archive-date=August 14, 2006 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''My Kind of Livin{{apostrophe}}'' 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 download]]s.<ref name="whitburn"/> 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."<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2005/03/14/my-kind-livin/|title=''My Kind of Livin{{apostrophe}}'' review|last=Willman|first=Chris|date=March 14, 2005|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=January 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090421031914/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1037048,00.html|archive-date=April 21, 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> ''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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=629&t=My_Kind_of_Livin_|title=''My Kind of Livin{{apostrophe}}'' review|last=Remz|first=Jeffrey B.|work=Country Standard Time|access-date=January 25, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214185831/http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=629&t=My_Kind_of_Livin_|archive-date=February 14, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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===2006–2008: ''Little Bit of Life'' and ''Greatest Hits''=== |
===2006–2008: ''Little Bit of Life'' and ''Greatest Hits''=== |
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[[File:Craig Morgan USO 2.jpg|thumb|right|Craig Morgan performing for the USO, March 20, 2007]] |
[[File:Craig Morgan USO 2.jpg|thumb|right|Craig Morgan performing for the USO, March 20, 2007]] |
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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]],<ref name="bar"/> and Morgan co-wrote four of its eleven songs.<ref name="mjs">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dIQkAAAAIBAJ |
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]],<ref name="bar"/> and Morgan co-wrote four of its eleven songs.<ref name="mjs">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=dIQkAAAAIBAJ&pg=5193,4598846&dq=craig-morgan+little-bit-of-life&hl=en |title=After years as soldier, Morgan singing out with 'Little Bit of Life' |date=November 6, 2006 |work=[[Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel]] |access-date=February 17, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> 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 Corporation|Target]] and [[Walmart]].<ref name="bar"/> Three singles were issued: the [[Little Bit of Life (song)|title track]], "[[Tough (Craig Morgan song)|Tough]]", and "[[International Harvester (song)|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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=3418&t=Little_Bit_of_Life|title=''Little Bit of Life'' review|last=Oliver|first=Kevin|work=Country Standard Time|access-date=November 9, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026074755/http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=3418&t=Little_Bit_of_Life|archive-date=October 26, 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> ''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.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Price|first=Deborah Evans|date=March 31, 2007 |title=Single reviews |magazine=Billboard |page=52 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eRMEAAAAMBAJ&q=%22Craig+morgan%22+%22little+bit+of+life&pg=PA52}}</ref> A [[Greatest Hits (Craig Morgan album)|greatest hits]] package followed in February 2008, shortly before his departure from Broken Bow.<ref name="exits">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/genre/e3i81c08183090090372a3b112ec9196d7b |title=Morgan Exits Broken Bow; Valory Next? |last=Tucker |first=Ken |date=February 14, 2008 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=September 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090507234330/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/genre/e3i81c08183090090372a3b112ec9196d7b |archive-date=May 7, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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===2008–2010: ''That's Why''=== |
===2008–2010: ''That's Why''=== |
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On September 18, 2008, Morgan was invited by John Conlee to become a member of the [[Grand Ole Opry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,,GAC_26063_5938037,00.html |title= |
On September 18, 2008, Morgan was invited by John Conlee to become a member of the [[Grand Ole Opry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,,GAC_26063_5938037,00.html |title=News : Headlines : Craig Morgan: From the Army to the Opry : Great American Country |access-date=October 10, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124162812/http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,,GAC_26063_5938037,00.html |archive-date=January 24, 2013}}</ref> Conlee formally inducted him as a member during the October 25, 2008, edition of the Opry.<ref>[http://www.opry.com/OpryNews/PressRelease.aspx?id=7212 "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] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508074707/http://www.opry.com/OpryNews/PressRelease.aspx?id=7212 |date=May 8, 2009 }}. Retrieved October 26, 2008.</ref> Although it had been first announced that Morgan would sign to [[Big Machine Records]]' sister label Valory Music Group,<ref name="exits"/> he instead signed to [[BNA Records]], a division of [[Sony BMG Nashville]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1597581/craig-morgan-releases-thats-why-on-bna-records.jhtml |title=Craig Morgan releases ''That's Why'' on BNA Records |date=October 21, 2008 |work=CMT |access-date=January 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025110605/http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1597581/craig-morgan-releases-thats-why-on-bna-records.jhtml |archive-date=October 25, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> His first album for the label, ''[[That's Why (album)|That's Why]]'', was released in October 2008. Its first single, "[[Love Remembers]]", became his sixth top ten hit by early 2009, but follow-up "God Must Really Love Me" peaked at number 26. BNA re-issued the album in May 2009, replacing two of its tracks with the newly recorded "[[Bonfire (Craig Morgan song)|Bonfire]]" and "[[This Ain't Nothin']]". The former was released that month as the album's third single, also reaching top ten. In October 2009, the music video for "God Must Really Love Me" won Video of the Year from the Inspirational Country Music Awards.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1624039/craig-morgans-god-must-really-love-me-video-wins-award.jhtml |title=Craig Morgan's "God Must Really Love Me" Video Wins Award |date=October 16, 2009 |work=CMT |access-date=January 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108162524/http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1624039/craig-morgans-god-must-really-love-me-video-wins-award.jhtml |archive-date=January 8, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In early 2010, "This Ain't Nothin'" was released as the album's fourth single. It became a top 20 country hit by year's end. [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] criticized the album for having "uninspired" material, but praised Morgan's "cured country croon".<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1434281|pure_url=yes}} |title=''That's Why'' review |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |work=Allmusic |access-date=May 18, 2009}}</ref> In a more favorable review, ''Country Standard Time'' wrote that the songs were "simple but profoundly observant" and compared Morgan's singing voice to [[Randy Travis]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=3999 |title=''That's Why'' review |last=Phillips |first=Jessica |work=Country Standard Time |access-date=May 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221215205/http://www.countrystandardtime.com/d/cdreview.asp?xid=3999 |archive-date=December 21, 2008 |url-status=live }}</ref> Morgan's last single for BNA, "Still a Little Chicken Left on That Bone", was released in October 2010. The song peaked at number 37 on the country music charts in January 2011. A month later, he left the label.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theboot.com/2011/02/11/craig-morgan-leaves-bna-records/ |title=Craig Morgan leaves BNA Records |last=Horner |first=Marianne |date=February 11, 2011 |work=The Boot |access-date=February 13, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215053533/http://www.theboot.com/2011/02/11/craig-morgan-leaves-bna-records/ |archive-date=February 15, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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===2011–2015: ''This Ole Boy'', ''The Journey (Livin' Hits)''=== |
===2011–2015: ''This Ole Boy'', ''The Journey (Livin' Hits)''=== |
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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".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coltford.com/home/467|title=The Story Behind "She Likes To Ride in Trucks"|date=April 19, 2011|work=Colt Ford| |
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".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coltford.com/home/467|title=The Story Behind "She Likes To Ride in Trucks"|date=April 19, 2011|work=Colt Ford|access-date=June 25, 2012}}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Morgan's first release for Black River was "[[This Ole Boy (song)|This Ole Boy]]",<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=5265 |title=Craig Morgan signs with Black River |publisher=Country Standard Time |access-date=April 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614105330/http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=5265 |archive-date=June 14, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> 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 (Joe Nichols album)|It's All Good]]''.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Nicholson |first=Jessica |date=November 28, 2011 |title=New music |journal=[[Country Weekly]] |volume=18 |issue=48 |page=56}}</ref> 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)]]''.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Hudak |first=Joseph |date=July 22, 2013 |title=Reviews: 'Wake Up Lovin' You' |journal=[[Country Weekly]] |volume=20 |issue=29 |page=50 |issn=1074-3235}}</ref> Morgan canceled several shows in May 2014 due to surgical complications for torn tendons in his shoulders.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tasteofcountry.com/craig-morgan-shoulder-surgery-cancels-shows/ |title=Craig Morgan Undergoes Shoulder Surgery, Cancels Shows |website=Tasteofcountry.com |date=May 15, 2014 |access-date=June 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160813074608/http://tasteofcountry.com/craig-morgan-shoulder-surgery-cancels-shows/ |archive-date=August 13, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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===2015–present: ''A Whole Lot More to Me''=== |
===2015–present: ''A Whole Lot More to Me''=== |
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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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forthecountryrecord.com/2015/09/03/new-craig-morgan-single-when-im-gone-ships-to-country-radio/ |title=New Craig Morgan Single |
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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forthecountryrecord.com/2015/09/03/new-craig-morgan-single-when-im-gone-ships-to-country-radio/ |title=New Craig Morgan Single 'When I'm Gone' Ships To Country Radio |publisher=For The Country Record |access-date=June 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811165427/http://forthecountryrecord.com/2015/09/03/new-craig-morgan-single-when-im-gone-ships-to-country-radio/ |archive-date=August 11, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://musicrow.com/2016/04/craig-morgan-will-release-new-album-on-june-3/ |title=Craig Morgan Will Release New Album On June 3 |website=Musicrow.com |date=April 26, 2016 |access-date=April 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630063625/http://www.musicrow.com/2016/04/craig-morgan-will-release-new-album-on-june-3/ |archive-date=June 30, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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In 2019, Morgan released a new single called "The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tasteofcountry.com/craig-morgan-the-father-my-son-and-the-holy-ghost-grand-ole-opry/ |title=Watch Craig Morgan Perform Heart-Wrenching Song for His Late Son |website=Tasteofcountry.com |date= | |
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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tasteofcountry.com/craig-morgan-the-father-my-son-and-the-holy-ghost-grand-ole-opry/ |title=Watch Craig Morgan Perform Heart-Wrenching Song for His Late Son |website=Tasteofcountry.com |date=September 7, 2019 |access-date=April 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190917214846/https://tasteofcountry.com/craig-morgan-the-father-my-son-and-the-holy-ghost-grand-ole-opry/ |archive-date=September 17, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Upon hearing the song, [[Blake Shelton]] started a campaign on Twitter to help boost the song's chart position.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1811704/blake-shelton-takes-over-radio-promotion-for-craig-morgan/ |title=Blake Shelton Takes Over Radio Promotion for Craig Morgan |website=Cmt.com |date=October 9, 2019 |access-date=April 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914211853/http://www.cmt.com/news/1811704/blake-shelton-takes-over-radio-promotion-for-craig-morgan/ |archive-date=September 14, 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Following this song's release, Morgan was re-signed to Broken Bow for distribution of the single.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://musicrow.com/2019/09/craig-morgan-reunites-with-broken-bow-records/|title=Craig Morgan Reunites With Broken Bow Records|date=September 16, 2019|access-date=April 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228174108/https://musicrow.com/2019/09/craig-morgan-reunites-with-broken-bow-records/|archive-date=December 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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==Personal life== |
==Personal life== |
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Morgan is married to wife Karen with whom he has five children: daughters Marisa and Alexandra and sons Kyle, Jerry, and Wyatt. |
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]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bnarecords.com/artists/biography.cfm?artistid=1000039 |title=Craig Morgan Biography |work=Sony BNA Nashville |access-date=December 29, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100525203346/http://www.bnarecords.com/artists/biography.cfm?artistid=1000039 |archive-date=May 25, 2010 }}</ref> He is a convert to the [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] faith.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Country star Craig Morgan shares his journey of faith to becoming Catholic. Published Dec. 9 2023. Nation. |url=https://www.thebostonpilot.com/AMP/amp_article.php?ID=196344 |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=www.thebostonpilot.com}}</ref> |
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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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.popeater.com/2011/02/15/craig-morgan-fire/ |title=Country Artist Craig Morgan Rescues Two Children From Fire |work=PopEater |access-date=February 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216214539/http://www.popeater.com/2011/02/15/craig-morgan-fire/ |archive-date=February 16, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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On April 23, 2011, Morgan became an honorary initiate of the [[Arkansas State University|Delta Theta]] chapter of the [[Pi Kappa Alpha]] fraternity. |
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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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wbir.com/mb/news/craig-morgans-son-missing-in-tennessee-river/269677108 |title=Body of Craig Morgan's son found after Tennessee River search |last1=Gadd |first1=Chris |last2=Watts |first2=Cindy |last3=Simmons |first3=Andy |date=July 12, 2016 |website=wbir.com |access-date=July 12, 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> |
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==Charitable efforts== |
==Charitable efforts== |
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Morgan frequently performs at military bases both in the U.S. and abroad and on [[United Service Organizations|USO]] tours. He was awarded the 2006 USO Merit Award for his tireless support of US soldiers and their families.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usometrodc.org/site/News3.22PR.htm |title=Home |website=Usometrodc.org | |
Morgan frequently performs at military bases both in the U.S. and abroad and on [[United Service Organizations|USO]] tours. He was awarded the 2006 USO Merit Award for his tireless support of US soldiers and their families.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usometrodc.org/site/News3.22PR.htm |title=Home |website=Usometrodc.org |access-date=June 16, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20081120085626/http://www.usometrodc.org/site/News3.22PR.htm |archive-date=November 20, 2008 }}</ref> Having served in the military, Morgan told [[American Songwriter]] Magazine, "Because I have been there, I can appreciate that and have the ability to communicate with them a little differently."<ref>{{cite web |last=Rampa |first=Michael |url=http://www.americansongwriter.com/2012/04/qa-craig-morgan |title=Q&A: Craig Morgan « American Songwriter |website=Americansongwriter.com |date=April 16, 2012 |access-date=June 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810074246/http://americansongwriter.com/2012/04/qa-craig-morgan |archive-date=August 10, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Morgan has been active in raising money for the [[Special Operations Warrior Foundation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.specialops.org/news_past.asp |title=Archived copy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070701000311/http://www.specialops.org/news_past.asp |archive-date=July 1, 2007 |access-date=September 16, 2016 }}</ref> Morgan has an annual two-day charity (Craig Morgan Charity Fund) for Billy's Place. The most recent, and fifth one, was held in Dickson, Tennessee, on August 6–7, 2011. The event raised more than $95,000. Morgan came up with the idea for Billy's Place while serving as an assistant Dickson County sheriff's deputy from 1995 to 1996. Through the Craig Morgan Charity Fund, Morgan plans to provide lasting funding to the home.<ref>[http://www.tennessean.com/article/20110811/DICKSON06/308110097/FINAL-TOTAL-Morgan-raises-95-000-last-weekend?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CDickson]{{dead link|date=June 2016}}</ref> |
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==Discography== |
==Discography== |
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*"[[International Harvester (song)|International Harvester]]" (No. 10, 2007–2008) |
*"[[International Harvester (song)|International Harvester]]" (No. 10, 2007–2008) |
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*"[[Love Remembers]]" (No. 9, 2008) |
*"[[Love Remembers]]" (No. 9, 2008) |
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*"[[Bonfire (song)|Bonfire]]" (No. 4, 2009) |
*"[[Bonfire (Craig Morgan song)|Bonfire]]" (No. 4, 2009) |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{Commons category|Craig Morgan ( |
{{Commons category|Craig Morgan (vocalist)}} |
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* {{Official website|http://www.craigmorgan.com/}} |
* {{Official website|http://www.craigmorgan.com/}} |
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[[Category:Atlantic Records artists]] |
[[Category:Atlantic Records artists]] |
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[[Category:BNA Records artists]] |
[[Category:BNA Records artists]] |
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[[Category:BBR Music Group artists]] |
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[[Category:Grand Ole Opry members]] |
[[Category:Grand Ole Opry members]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Singer-songwriters from Tennessee]] |
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[[Category:Black River Entertainment artists]] |
[[Category:Black River Entertainment artists]] |
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[[Category:United States Army soldiers]] |
[[Category:United States Army soldiers]] |
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[[Category:Songwriters from Tennessee]] |
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[[Category:People from Dickson, Tennessee]] |
[[Category:People from Dickson, Tennessee]] |
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[[Category:Country musicians from Tennessee]] |
[[Category:Country musicians from Tennessee]] |
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[[Category:Participants in American reality television series]] |
Latest revision as of 23:44, 2 December 2024
Craig Morgan | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Craig Morgan Greer[1] |
Born | Kingston Springs, Tennessee, U.S. | July 17, 1964
Genres | Country |
Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
Instruments |
|
Years active | 2000–present |
Labels | |
Website | craigmorgan.com |
Military career | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1982-1997 2023 - present |
Rank | Warrant Officer 1 |
Unit | 82nd Airborne Division 101st Airborne Division |
Craig Morgan Greer (born July 17, 1964) is an American country music artist. A veteran of the United States Army as a forward observer and current member of the United States Army Reserve, Morgan began his musical career in 2000 on Atlantic Records, releasing his self-titled debut album for that label before the closure of its Nashville division in 2000. In 2002, Morgan signed to the independent Broken Bow Records, on which he released three studio albums: 2003's I Love It, 2005's My Kind of Livin', and 2006's Little Bit of Life. These produced several chart hits, including "That's What I Love About Sunday", which spent four weeks at the top of the Billboard country charts while also holding the No. 1 position on that year's Billboard Year-End chart for the country format. A greatest hits package followed in mid-2008 before Morgan signed to BNA Records and released That's Why later that same year. After exiting BNA, Morgan signed with Black River Entertainment and released This Ole Boy in 2012, followed by A Whole Lot More to Me in 2016.
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
[edit]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 Army Reserve 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
[edit]Upon his return home to Tennessee, he worked various jobs to support his family, including as a construction worker, a security guard and a Wal-Mart employee.[5] He would later land a job in Nashville singing demos for other songwriters and publishing companies.[5] The demos led to releasing his first album with Atlantic Records, the self-titled Craig Morgan in 2000. It produced three singles including "Something to Write Home About", which reached number 39 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks (now Hot Country Songs) charts.[1] The album was produced by Buddy Cannon and Norro Wilson, with co-writing credits from Cannon, Bill Anderson and Harley Allen among others.[6] The album's final track, "I Wish I Could See Bakersfield", included a recitation from Merle Haggard.[6] Country Standard Time critic Jon Weisberger gave the album a mixed review, saying that Morgan had a strong singing voice but that most of the songs were "by-the-numbers".[7] Jim Patterson of The Ledger said that lead-off single "Something to Write Home About" was "pedestrian", but that the rest of the album was "an uncommonly assured hard-country effort".[8] Late in the year, Morgan charted a Christmas single entitled "The Kid in Me".[9] Morgan left Atlantic Records in early 2001 when the label closed its Nashville branch, but said that he was not afraid of his musical future because he still had a publishing contract at the time.[10]
2002–2004: I Love It
[edit]In 2002, Morgan signed with Broken Bow Records. The label released his second album, I Love It, in March 2003. Leading off this album was "God, Family and Country", a song dedicated to former Nashville session drummer Randy Hardison, with backing vocals from the group 4 Runner.[11] It peaked at number 49 on the country charts. Following this song was Morgan's second Top 40 hit, "Almost Home". The song originally fell off the Hot Country Songs charts from a peak position of number 33. However, it experienced an unexpected increase in airplay after falling off the charts, so it was reinstated at the number 25 position three weeks later.[12] After re-entering the charts, the song went on to a new peak position of number six on Hot Country Songs, also reaching number 59 on the Billboard Hot 100.[1] In addition, it won Morgan and co-writer Kerry Kurt Phillips a Song of the Year award from Broadcast Music Incorporated.[13] The album's next two singles, "Every Friday Afternoon" and "Look at Us", both reached the country top 30. By 2004, the album had sold more than 300,000 copies, and its success was cited by Billboard as the beginning of a new wave of commercial success among independently signed country music artists.[10] Rick Cohoon of Allmusic gave I Love It four stars out of five, saying that Morgan's songwriting was "well-crafted" and that his service in the Army justified the patriotic themes of "God, Family and Country".[14] Jeffrey B. Remz of Country Standard Time commended the album for maintaining a neotraditionalist country sound, but said that the ballads were "generic".[15]
2005–2006: My Kind of Livin'
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]On September 18, 2008, Morgan was invited by John Conlee to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.[25] Conlee formally inducted him as a member during the October 25, 2008, edition of the Opry.[26] Although it had been first announced that Morgan would sign to Big Machine Records' sister label Valory Music Group,[24] he instead signed to BNA Records, a division of Sony BMG Nashville.[27] His first album for the label, That's Why, was released in October 2008. Its first single, "Love Remembers", became his sixth top ten hit by early 2009, but follow-up "God Must Really Love Me" peaked at number 26. BNA re-issued the album in May 2009, replacing two of its tracks with the newly recorded "Bonfire" and "This Ain't Nothin'". The former was released that month as the album's third single, also reaching top ten. In October 2009, the music video for "God Must Really Love Me" won Video of the Year from the Inspirational Country Music Awards.[28] In early 2010, "This Ain't Nothin'" was released as the album's fourth single. It became a top 20 country hit by year's end. Stephen Thomas Erlewine criticized the album for having "uninspired" material, but praised Morgan's "cured country croon".[29] In a more favorable review, Country Standard Time wrote that the songs were "simple but profoundly observant" and compared Morgan's singing voice to Randy Travis.[30] Morgan's last single for BNA, "Still a Little Chicken Left on That Bone", was released in October 2010. The song peaked at number 37 on the country music charts in January 2011. A month later, he left the label.[31]
2011–2015: This Ole Boy, The Journey (Livin' Hits)
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]Morgan frequently performs at military bases both in the U.S. and abroad and on USO tours. He was awarded the 2006 USO Merit Award for his tireless support of US soldiers and their families.[46] Having served in the military, Morgan told American Songwriter Magazine, "Because I have been there, I can appreciate that and have the ability to communicate with them a little differently."[47] Morgan has been active in raising money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.[48] Morgan has an annual two-day charity (Craig Morgan Charity Fund) for Billy's Place. The most recent, and fifth one, was held in Dickson, Tennessee, on August 6–7, 2011. The event raised more than $95,000. Morgan came up with the idea for Billy's Place while serving as an assistant Dickson County sheriff's deputy from 1995 to 1996. Through the Craig Morgan Charity Fund, Morgan plans to provide lasting funding to the home.[49]
Discography
[edit]- 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
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 285. 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.
- ^ a b "Craig Morgan biography". CMT. Archived from 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.
- ^ "After years as soldier, Morgan singing out with 'Little Bit of Life'". 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.
- ^ Hudak, Joseph (July 22, 2013). "Reviews: 'Wake Up Lovin' You'". Country Weekly. 20 (29): 50. ISSN 1074-3235.
- ^ "Craig Morgan Undergoes Shoulder Surgery, Cancels Shows". Tasteofcountry.com. May 15, 2014. 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. September 7, 2019. 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.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ [1][dead link ]
External links
[edit]- 1964 births
- American country singer-songwriters
- American male singer-songwriters
- Atlantic Records artists
- BNA Records artists
- BBR Music Group artists
- Grand Ole Opry members
- Living people
- Singer-songwriters from Tennessee
- Black River Entertainment artists
- United States Army soldiers
- People from Dickson, Tennessee
- Country musicians from Tennessee
- Participants in American reality television series