Fall 2006
So many of today's musical performers are like the newscaster who merely reads the TelePrompTer - droning on with little understanding of what they're singing or why they're singing it.
Country singer-songwriter Craig Morgan; however, reflects a poetic style of song writing that captures the meaning of life's small moments. This is demonstrated on one of his #1 singles, "That's What I Love About Sunday." His sense of humor is shown on his other chart-topper, "Redneck Yacht Club."
Morgan has performed more than 100 times at the Grand Ol' Opry. While it is certainly a professional coup to perform on the stage that has launched so many careers, many stars play the show a couple of times for resume' value and then hit the road. But Morgan considers it an honor to perform with old-timers such as Little Jimmy Dickens.
Now, Morgan himself is earning the honors: He has been nominated for the Country Music Association's Top New Male Vocalist award.
But Morgan is no stranger to nerve-wracking times. He spent 11 years in the U.S. Army, serving in Operation Just Cause and training as an Army Ranger in Korea. Upon his return to the States, he paid the bills doing several jobs, including sheriff's deputy.
Morgan hasn't forgotten where he comes from. He was awarded the U.S.O. Merit Award - just like Bob Hope - for the shows he's performed for the troops in Iraq, as well as fundraisers and care-package stuffing parties.
He recently suffered a motorcycle accident while racing in the Mid-South Hare Scramblers' Series. True to form, however, he jumped back on his bike and scrambled to a third-place finish (his 14-year-old son placed fourth).
MM: You were just in a motorcycle accident. Don't you worry about doing risky things that could affect your ability to perform?
Morgan: No, I don't worry about precautions to be able to play. I do a risk assessment of every project I'm involved in and then I do it.
MM: What are your latest projects?
Morgan: Well, I'm racing pretty hard. My son started me on it and we established a race team, because we did really well. We attract sponsors because I'm a country singer, I guess. My younger boy is involved, too, so it's a family deal! It really is a way for all of us to spend time together.
MM: You aren't 18 years old, hoping for your first big break. Do you feel your maturity having served in the military helps you in dealing with music execs and managing your career?
Morgan: Without a doubt! I'm 40. They know where I stand in life. I'm not trying to figure out who Craig Morgan is and what he can accomplish.
MM: You spent 11 years in the Army and some time as a Reservist. Can you still be called up?
Morgan: I could, based on my expertise and training. I do more for the Army now, singing and entertaining the troops. It's good for recruitment.
MM: That's a long time in the military. You must have had thoughts of making it a lifetime role.
Morgan: Oh, yeah. I could have seen myself retiring from the Army, retiring to some small town as the sheriff. I was an E-6, a staff sergeant. But then I saw how much money I could make singing!
MM: You've said that you don't write as many songs as you used to. How has that process changed?
Morgan: It's just because I'm so busy. But when I take time to write, I take full advantage of that time - it's concentrated. I have strong writers working with me. I used to write just to write. Now I write hits!
MM: You have a business called Craig Morgan's Outdoors Expedition. How did you get involved with that?
Morgan: I've been involved with the outdoors my whole life. I help people purchasing land and people who own land. I teach them better ways to manage wild game. Also, I help farmers who don't know about hunting.
MM: How hands-on are you with that business?
Morgan: I'm extremely hands-on. I'll fly back from a show to do a consultation. There are a lot of phone conversations. I will also be on the front cover of a hunting video that's going to be in every Wal-Mart in the country.
MM: Tell us about your charity work.
Morgan: It's hard to know where to start! Any free time I have, I donate to charity, especially where children are involved. I've been working with Copley Guitars to supply musical instruments to the schools in Dickson County (Tenn.). We donated $10,000 of instruments. My daughter plays the violin and my youngest boy plays the drums.
MM: You've worked many jobs to support your family after leaving the Army. Tell us about that.
Morgan: I always felt that any good musician can do anything to keep on going. But I didn't have a band in high school and I never drove around bars, from gig to gig. I played because I loved it. My dad was a musician; he played bass.
MM: Do you manage your own finances?
Morgan: I have a business manager, but I know how every nickel is spent! I'm with a large-enough firm, not little guys, with some big clients. You can't manage investments with one guy trying to be an expert on everything. I have a bunch of guys working for me.
MM: Sounds like the way a mutual fund works...
Morgan: I guess so.
MM: Besides Outdoor Expedition, do you have other investments?
Morgan: We have real properties in Tennessee. I've never messed up buying real estate.
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Tamar Fleishman is an attorney and writer in Baltimore. She served in the U.S. Air Force, her father served in the Indiana National Guard and her grandfather was a highly decorated Army surgeon who served as family physician to Gen. Douglas MacArthur. She may be reached at tfleishman@toad.net.