Mike Morgan (songwriter)

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{| class="infobox vcard plainlist" style="width:22em"
! style="text-align:center;font-size:125%;font-weight:bold;background-color: #f0e68c" colspan="2" |<span class="fn">Mike Morgan</span>
|-
! scope="row" |<span class="nowrap">Birth name</span>
| class="nickname" |Michael Allen Morgan
|-
! scope="row" |Born
|June 12, 1948<br>[[Jackson, Ohio]]
|-
! scope="row" |Genres
|[[Country music]], [[Gospel music]], [[Americana (music)]]
|-
! scope="row" |<span class="nowrap">Occupation(s)</span>
| class="role" |Singer-songwriter
|-
! scope="row" |<span class="nowrap">Years ACTIVE</span>
|1964-Present
|-
! scope="row" |Website
|https://www.mikemorganmusic.com/
|}
'''Michael Allen "Mike" Morgan''' (born June 12, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter and music producer. When talking AbOUT Mike, Kathie Baillie, of [[Baillie & the Boys]], said ''"Some artists just have a knack for going to the right places, playing the melody in a way that sounds familiar, and yet at the same time fresh. Mike is that guy."''

== Early Life and Education ==
Morgan was born in [[Jackson, Ohio]] on June 12, 1948 to Naomi Elizabeth (née Long) and John Willard Morgan as the youngest of 3 boys. As a teenager, Morgan, along with high school friend Paul Hanks, formed a [[garage band]] called The Truants in 1964. The group began to perform with members Craig Loney, Larry Coburn, John Jones, and Joe Click coming alongside Morgan and Hanks. The Truants became one of  the #1 touring bands in the Tri-State.  They appeared in concert and on television with John Hamer’s  Let’s Dance TV program generated from Huntington, West Virginia. This appearance generated tremendous response for the band. In 2006, The Truants came back together to produce a CD, which led to the band performing several benefits across the region.

Morgan went on to study Education at [[Eastern Kentucky University]], where he graduated in 1970. Afterwards, Morgan attended [[University of Dayton]] where he earned his Masters in Counseling, graduating in 1986.
[[File:M. Morgan.png|alt=Headshot|thumb|Mike Morgan]]

== Career ==
Morgan was surrounded by music his entire life. Growing up, he remembers his dad, uncle, and aunt coming together on Sunday evenings to sing [[Hymn|hymns]]. His brothers were also influential along his musical path. Mike's oldest brother, Bob, was a drummer in a local group called The Four Jacks. Morgan grew up with all genres of music surrounding him. There was no type of music left out in their record collection.

In the late 60s, David Howell approached Paul Hanks about recording two singles. Hanks remembered his time with The Truants and requested that Morgan come along as a producer for the singles. The Two singles received a lot of regional airplay and sales.

In 1968, Morgan met up with high school friend Jeff Elliott. The two began writing songs together and decided toward the end of 1968 to take the songs to [[Nashville, Tennessee]]. The duo was signed by Jack Key of Newkeys Music. With the help of Jack and Jimmy Key, Morgan and Elliott had their first songs recorded. During that time, Morgan met country artist [[Ed Bruce]].

Bruce had just formed a new publishing company and asked Morgan and Elliott to play some of their songs. Morgan and Elliott joined the company in 1971. In 1973, David Howell asked Morgan to record and release a single called ''Walker's Woods'', which received a lot of regional airplay in the Southern United States. This was the first single that featured Morgan as a recording artist. It was produced by Ed Bruce.

In the late 70s, Morgan moved on to Greene Pastures Music, which was owned by [[Nat Stuckey]] and his wife Ann. It was with this company that Morgan got his big break in 1981. [[Conway Twitty]] recorded ''The Feel of Bein' Gone'' on his [[MCA Records]] album "Heart and Soul". That same year, Morgan's song ''Washed in the Blood'' was recorded by former Governor of [[Louisiana]] and [[Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum|Country Music Hall of Fame]] member [[Jimmie Davis]].

Later in the 1980s, Morgan became discouraged and pushed music away. He spent an entire year not writing songs and avoiding music altogether. He wasn't sure how he was going to get back into the music game, if he even tried to get back in. While sitting in Dr. Greg Miller's office at [[University of Rio Grande]], the path back to music came to Morgan. He was asked to present a program on Appalachian music to kindergarten and 1st grade students in [[Gallipolis City School District]] by the [[Ohio Arts Council]]. After talking with the teachers in the district, Morgan decided to teach the students some of the key components of music to help spread music education into young minds. It was at this time that Morgan, with help from his wife, realized that he may not be destined to win a [[Grammy Award]] or have a [[Number 1 Single]], but just to enjoy making music and sharing it with others.

While keeping his faith strong, opportunities began to open up for Morgan and he was back writing songs.

In the late 90s, Morgan and Elliott teamed up again with Dr. Greg Miller to write the music for Miller's [[Off-Broadway]] [[Play (theatre)|play]] called ''Billy Bob Loves Charlene.''

Morgan and Elliott again teamed up with Ed Bruce, as well as Jack Jackson, to coproduce a new album for Bruce called "This Old Hat" in 2002. This was Bruce's first project in 10 years and features several traditional country songs. Morgan co-wrote several of the songs on the album as well. To this day, many people are still purchasing and downloading the last album Morgan and Bruce worked on together. When talking about the album, [[Country Weekly]] Magazine said "It's been way too long since we heard from Ed Bruce. His decade-long string of smashes like "You're The Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had" and "You Turn Me On (Like A Radio)" ended in the late 80's and he has been pretty much off the scene since then. So the big question has to be: Can he still cut it? This Old Hat answers that question in the warmest, most unassuming way you could imagine. Ed delivers these 13 songs - including some new versions of his old hits, such as a gorgeous take on "You're the Best Break" - in such a quietly confident way that you'd think he hasn't been away for a moment."

In 2015, Morgan was looking at some of his unfinished works and came across a song named ''Sweet Liberty''. He thought it could make a great patriotic choral piece and got into contact with Tom Fettke, a music arranger in Nashville. Tom liked the idea and began working with Morgan and Elliott to finish the song. It was published by Praisegathering Music and released as a patriotic choral anthem. In that same year, Morgan teamed up with [[Austin, Texas]] Americana artist [[Slaid Cleaves]]. The two worked together to co-write two songs that appeared on Cleaves' "Ghost on the Car Radio" and "Still Fightin the War" albums.

Following a similar theme to that of Ed Bruce, Morgan got in touch with Michael Bonagura of Baillie & the Boys to work on their first project in 6 years. Their work together began in 2015 on the CD "I Will Run" and was released in February 2018. The CD features various music styles and is considered one of their most interesting albums to date.

Morgan continues to write new songs and perform at songwriter venues.

== Family Life ==
Mike married his wife, Melody, in 1971. They have two children, Michael C. Morgan (born 1973) and Amanda J. Brumfield (born 1977).

== Discography ==
'''A New Wound on an Old Scar''' (J. Elliott and M. Morgan)

Sojourner Music-BMI 

Walt Cook     Hummingbird Records #112009A  

'''Baby's Waitin' For Me''' (J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Sojourner Music-BMI 

Walt Cook     Hummingbird Records #112009B  

'''Back Then''' (J. Elliott, E. Hale and M. Morgan) Sojourner Music-BMI and Salt Creek Music-ASCAP 

The Truants-Wildwood Media 

Music for the Markay Volume 1 

The Truants – Media Works Int.

The Truants 

'''Been Loving You Too Long''' (J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Sojourner Music-BMI 

Baillie and the Boys – Big Bang Productions

I Will Run

''' ''' 

'''I Remember Our Goodbye''' (J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Newkeys Music-BMUI and Southern Arts Music-BMI 

Johnny Anthony   CSA Records  

Jeff Elliott – Hummingbird CAS -009 -92

Songs for Our House 

Jeff Elliott- Wildwood Media

Music for the Markay Volume 1   

'''I Was On My Way Before The Dawn''' (J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Newkeys Music-BMI 

Bud Logan Rice Records #5043  

'''I'm Not Gonna Fly''' (J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Newkeys Music-BMI 

George Kent   Rice Records #5050   

'''Just An Old House''' (J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Newkeys Music-BMI 

Hylo Brown -  Atteriam Records #1553

"A Tribute to my Heroes"  

'''Let's Just Pretend''' (J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Newkeys Music-BMI 

George Kent   Mercury-Polygram Records #73127

"This is George Kent"

''' '''

'''Life’s Too Short Not to Rodeo''' (J. Elliott- M. Morgan and J. Rogerson) Sojourner Music-BMI and Wapiti Country - ASCAP 

Jared Rogerson - Roughstock Records #RR003

Heaven

''' '''

'''Quiet Time''' (J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Sojourner Music-BMI 

Jan Harbuck   Jan Harbuck Music

“One More Song” 

Ron Hemphill- Tate Music Group 

'''Out of Sight, Out of Mind''' (J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Sojourner Music-BMI 

Walt Cook    Recording Workshop Records #212033B

"Unity Gain" 

'''Sweet Liberty''' (Choral Arrangement) (J. Elliott, T. Fettke and M. Morgan) Praise Gathering Music Publishing -BMI 

Praise Gathering Music 797242344176  

'''The Feel of Bein' Gone''' (J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Sony/ATV Tree -BMI 

Conway Twitty   MCA Records #MCA 3210

"Heart and Soul"             #MCAC 933

     Charley Lilly    Hummingbird Records #RR42728A 

Charlie Lilly    Hummingbird Music HUM007

Charlie Lilly and the Poor Side Band 

Ed Bruce    United Artist Records #UA-XW774Y 

Ed Bruce    MRT Records CD # 11055 and Cass # 11054

“This Old Hat” 

John Fitzwater   Award Records #OTD-83154

"In A Country State of Mind"    #OTD-8643 

Nancy Rowe      Hilltop Records #HTS 217

“First Class Country”  

'''The Old Guard''' (S. Cleaves, J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Magic Rat Music-BMI and Sojourner Music-BMI 

Slaid Cleaves   Candy House Media CHM 130

Ghost on the Car Radio 

'''Washed In the Blood''' (J. Davis, J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Peer Music BMI and Vern Music-BMI 

Jimmie Davis    Canaan Records #CAS 9852

"Soul Train to Glory" 

Sheet Music- Peer Music –Nashville, Tn  

'''The Monday Problem''' (J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Window Music-BMI and Sojourner Music-BMI 

Charlie Lilly   Hummingbird Music HUM 007

Charlie Lilly and the Poor Side Band

''' '''

'''The Tracks You Left On Me''' (E. Bruce, J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Home At Last Music-BMI and Sojourner Music-BMI  

Ed Bruce   MRT Records  CD # 11055 and Cass # 11054

“This Old Hat” 

Robyn Young - Reflect Records/Pretty World  CD#  RR102

Good Ole Country Days 

Neville Anderson –Salidu  NRA 003

Rambling Shoes   

'''Truth Is I’m A Liar''' (J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Southern Arts Music-BMI and Sojourner Music-BMI 

Ed Bruce   MRT Records    CD# 11055 and Cass # 11054

“This Old Hat” 

Myra Rolen    Pretty World Records

“Hold That Thought” CD  

'''I Wonder''' (J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Sojourner Music-BMI 

Mona Golabek    The Romantic Hours

Radio Program   2003

''' '''

'''Let Me Be Your Reason''' (L. Angeline, D. Howell and M. Morgan) COAR Music-BMI and Sojourner Music-BMI 

Linda Angeline - Coat of Arms Records

Second Wind

''' '''

'''Liberated Woman''' (J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Sojourner Music-BMI and Coar Music-BMI 

Dawn Busemeyer   Coat of Arms Records

Hot To Go 

'''Half of Everything''' (J. Elliott, A. Matrumalo and M. Morgan) Sojourner Music-BMI and Salt Creek Music-ASCAP  

Shelby Lyn Rogers - Melodically Hearts

Music That Matters New England 

'''Losing A Fortune''' (J. Elliott, A. Matrumalo and M. Morgan) Sojourner Music-BMI and Salt Creek Music-ASCAP  

Shelby Lyn Rogers – Melodical Hearts

Music That Matters New England 

'''Too Old To Cowboy''' (B. Faulkner- C. McArthur-Mike Morgan) M & H Music-BMI and Sojourner Music-BMI 

Chris MacArthur – Tuff Enough To Wear Pink

Coat of Arms Records   

'''Jackson County Moon''' (J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Southern Arts Music-BMI and Sojourner Music-BMI 

Butch Baker

A Slice of Jackson County-Wildwood Media

Southern Arts Music-BMI 

Butch Baker

Our Town Jackson Documentary – WOUB Public Media   

'''You’re Everything I Never Wanted''' (J. Davis, E. Hale and M. Morgan) Chip N Dale Music Pub. ASCAP and Door Knob Music-BMI 

Rebecca Bridges -Door Knob Records DK-CD93-1034 

Rebecca Bridges –Stonehenge Records SH941001

Leave Your Love Behind

''' '''

'''He Was There''' (E. Hale and M. Morgan) Chip N Dale Music Pub.-ASCAP and Door Knob Music-BMI 

Dave Jeglum –Door Knob Records –DKG –LPS 87 1016

Meet My Friend

''' '''

'''Heartbreak Hall of Fame''' (J. Elliott, E. Hale, S. Hansgen and M. Morgan) Sojourner Music-BMI and Salt Creek Music-ASCAP 

Carl Angel

Passing the Time -CA 1515

''' '''

'''Lucky Caller # 3''' (E. Hale and M. Morgan) Rocky Bell Music-BMI and White Cat Music-ASCAP 

Doc Holliday and Dusty Williams Comstock Records COM -981

Lucky Caller #3  

'''With My Eye On Him''' ( E. Hale and M. Morgan) Sojourner Music-BMI and Salt Creek Music-ASCAP 

Sheet Music- Lorenz Corporation/Sonshine Productions

Cumberland Hill Choir  

'''Who Cares''' (W. Cook, D. Howell and M. Morgan) Rusty York Music-BMI 

Paul Hanks- Jewel Records-790  

'''If I Give Up The Bottle''' (D. Howell and M. Morgan) Rusty  York Music-BMI 

Paul Hanks – Jewel Records -790

''' '''

'''Ramada Rose''' (E. Hale and M. Morgan) White Cat Music-ASCAP and Rocky Bell Music-BMI 

Kopperfield –Comstock Records-Com,-1691A

''' '''

'''Hometown USA''' (S. Cleaves, J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Magic Rat Music-BMI and Sojourner Music-BMI 

Slaid Cleaves- Music Road Records – MRR CD 015

Still Fightin the War 

Baillie and the Boys -Big Bang Productions

I Will Run

''' '''

'''Until You''' (J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Sojourner Music-BMI 

Baillie and the Boys – Big Bang Productions

I Will Run 

'''The House My Daddy Built''' (M. Brinkman, J. Elliott and M. Morgan) Mark Brinkman Music-BMI and Sojourner Music-BMI 

Baillie and the Boys - Big Bang Productions

I Will Run 

Edgar Loudermilk – Pinecastle Records

{{DEFAULTSORT:Morgan, Mke}}

[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:American singers]]
[[Category:Living people]]