Gary Morris :: News

My recording career began in Nashville in 1981, with a lot of hard work and even more luck. I gained a small
amount of success as a recording artist. In 1984 I won Song of the Year for Wind Beneath My Wings. Ironically I
was in rehearsals for a show in New York with Linda Ronstadt, of all things, an opera, La Boheme by Puccini.
Now for a boy who grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, opera was the last thing on my mind. I had no idea what that
opportunity meant except my record company, Warner Brothers, really thought I should give it a try. For three
months I was in New York then came back to Nashville and went on the road with my band, GMO. Shortly after
returning, I got an offer in Los Angeles to play a recurring role on a new show, The Colby's. During the time I was
acting on The Colby's, I was writing music and preparing for my next country album. Leave Me Lonely, Plain
Brown Wrapper and Finishing Touches are among some of the songs written during that time. After shooting The
Colby's, I was back on the road with my band playing fairs, auditoriums, civic centers, and a few big arenas with
multiple acts. In 1987, once again, my management and record company suggested I audition for Jean Val Jean
in Les Miserables on Broadway. Eventually I did and became the first American to be awarded the Number One
role in the Number One show on Broadway. For six months I performed a rather grueling show, looking forward to
being on the road again. Pre-Les Miserables, I had many hit records with the last five being number ones. After
returning to Les Miserables, I picked up my recording and touring but there was a definite disconnect with country
radio. Some saw my expanding musical genre as a desertion. I recorded three albums, These Days, Full Moon
Empty Heart and Stones. Each of these were released to great critical acclaim but radio did not play them. I
recorded another studio album, Lone Star Knight; a live recording that became a PBS Special, The Art of
Tretyakov; two live albums, one entitled "Live" and the other "One Voice, One Night, One Guitar"; a Christmas
record with my boy Matt entitled "My Son, Your Christmas" and now two CDs of old hymns and gospel songs I
grew up singing. I was at a loss and frustrated as radio has traditionally been the main road, almost the only road,
to connecting with a growing fan base .

Recently, a light bulb went off -- today we have other means to let our music be heard! That is through the
fanwaves instead of the air waves.Fans that have over the years continued to seek me out! Fans that drive a 1,000
miles to hear me because I'm not playing close to where they live. Fans that have my music at their weddings,
birthdays and their loved ones funerals. Fans that come up to tell me that their Christmas is not Christmas for
their family until they've played my Christmas record, "It's tradition"!

I got a call from an old friend in Radio and Television, Dan Miller who lives in Cody, Wyoming. He asked if I'd come
play a little room in Cody, he was trying to develop some kind of musical rotation in a small theater; a wonderful
place to play. I have to say the fire was lit again. Last November, I played at my favorite small room in America, a
place where I've recorded two live records in Logan, Utah. The fire was burning. It's time to build my Army. Army
you say?For those who are willing, I'm asking you to join me, to band together the people who have allowed me to
bring my music to concert, to Broadway to television. Join together and bring your friends. Let us know where you
are. I have just signed with a new and progressive booking agency called New Frontier. That is what we are in. A
new frontier where the people can decide what music takes hold and fills their lives. I truly need your help and
have the desire and will to set a rigorous performing schedule. In addition to playing halls, old theaters from 300
seats to 1500 seats, I want to be able to sing at different churches. This schedule would look like a Friday in one
city, a Saturday in another and a Sunday morning in church. Let us know who you are, where you are and where
you would like me to play.

We're going to form a Street Team. If you can walk, drive or dial a phone you can participate! We're going to offer
packages to my Army that will include private meet and greets, dinners, transportation, and maybe even a hunting
trip. Membership in Gary's Army will be offered and listed here on the website. Only members will have access to
the most important stuff. What I want you to understand is that I will be renting the halls or theaters, providing the
sound and lights, paying for tickets, production, advertising and bearing the cost of travel, lodging and meals in
markets that I am not familiar with. The money from member dues and VIP packages, etc. will all be used in the
promotion of these shows. I need you to join and to be a member of our Street Team.

To the newlywed couple from Austin, Texas who came to Logan, UT in November for the show -- Thank You! To
Nadine, Betty and Maureen who made the trip from California -- Thank You!

I want to build an army abroad as well as at home. I know I have fans in Europe, South America, Australia, New
Zealand, Canada and Asia. Join us and be a part of my Army. If enough of you do, I'll come play in your part of the
world.

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks -- maybe old dogs have tricks of their own.

~Gary