Biography

A songwriter first and foremost, Mike Morgan has also served as a producer as well as a performer. A native of Southern Ohio, Morgan's musical career began in the mid '60s when he was a member of a local rock 'n' roll band called The Truants, covering the songs of Johnny Rivers, a little bit of Beatles, some country and of course, in the early '60s tradition, playing "Louie, Louie" by the Kingsmen.

"While The Truants was a fun thing to do at the time, and we have reunited for special shows, my heart has always been in country music," says Mike Morgan. "As a boy, I remember listening to the music of Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb, Ray Price, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens and George Jones."

Following high school, Morgan earned a BS degree from Eastern Kentucky University and an MS from the University of Dayton. It was at that time that Mike and his high school friend Jeff Elliott formed a business partnership and decided to write songs. That co-writing relationship still goes on today with great success. Over the years Mike and Jeff have written with hit Nashville songwriters Ed Bruce, Mark Brinkman, Jan Buckingham, Carolyn Martin, Jonell Mosser, Slaid Cleaves, Dianne Wilkinson, Tom Fettke Marc Rossi, Bleu Jackson, Ray Jessel, and Donnie Blanz,. .

Their song "The Feel of Bein' Gone" has been recorded by Conway Twitty, Ed Bruce and several other artists. Ed Bruce has also recorded "The Tracks You Left on Me" and "Truth Is I'm A Liar." Additionally, Bud Logan, Doc Holliday, Hylo Brown, Governor Jimmie Davis, Slaid Cleaves, Robyn Young and many others have recorded songs written by Morgan and Elliott.. He and Jeff Elliott also wrote the music for "Billy Bob Loves Charlene" a play that ran off-Broadway in New York City.

Mike Morgan began his professional songwriting career with Southern Arts Music in Nashville, later joining Ed Bruce's publishing company, Home At Last Music. He's also written for Greene Pastures Music, a company owned and operated by Ann and Nat Stuckey, and Sony ATV Music.

As a recording artist he cut "Walker's Woods" in the early '70s that became a regional hit and still receives classic country play throughout the Internet and on many country gold radio stations. That single was produced by Ed Bruce and Dave Howell and released on UAI Records.

Working on the other side of the glass as a record producer, Morgan has twisted the dials for Ed Bruce, bluegrass group Whetstone Run, Appalachian string band group Home Remedy, Megan McKee and independent artists Paul Hanks and Walt Cook.

Mike Morgan is a pro member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International and speaks to groups about the process of songwriting and about songwriting in general.

SOME OF HIS SONGS

 A New Wound on An Old Scar
Walt Cook Hummingbird Records #112009A
Sojourner Music-BMI

Baby's Waitin' For Me
Walt Cook Hummingbird Records #112009B
Sojourner Music-BMI

Back Then
The Truants-Wildwood Media
Music for the Markay
Sojourner Music-BMI and Salt Creek Music-ASCAP

Back Then
The Truants - Media Works Int.
The Truants
Sojourner Music-BMI and Salt Creek Music-ASCAP

I Remember Our Goodbye
Johnny Anthony CSA Records
Newkeys Music-BMI

I Was On My Way Before The Dawn
Bud Logan Rice Records #5043
Newkeys Music-BMI

I'm Not Gonna Fly
George Kent Rice Records #5050
Newkeys Music-BMI

Just An Old House
Hylo Brown Atteriam Records #1553
"A Tribute to my Heroes"
Newkeys Music-BMI

Let's Just Pretend
George Kent Mercury-Polygram Records #73127

"This is George Kent"
Newkeys Music-BMI
Quiet Time
Jan Harbuck Jan Harbuck Music

"One More Song"
Sojourner Music-BMI

Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Walt Cook Recording Workshop Records #212033B
"Unity Gain"
Sojourner Music-BMI

Sweet Liberty (Choral Arrangement)
Praise Gathering Music 797242344176
Praise Gathering Music Publishing-BMI

The Feel of Bein' Gone
Conway Twitty MCA Records #MCA 3210
"Heart and Soul" #MCAC 933
Sony/ATV Tree Music-BMI

The Feel of Bein' Gone
Charley Lilly Hummingbird Records #RR42728A
Sony/ATV Tree Music-BMI

The Feel of Bein' Gone
Ed Bruce United Artist Records #UA-XW774Y
Sony/ATV Tree Music-BMI

The Feel of Bein' Gone
John Fitzwater Award Records #OTD-83154
"In A Country State of Mind" #OTD-8643
Sony/ATV Tree Music-BMI

Washed In the Blood
Jimmie Davis Canaan Records #CAS 9852
"Soul Train to Glory"
Peer Music-BMI

Washed in the Blood
Sheet Music- Peer Music -Nashville, Tn
Vern Music Co- Baton Rouge, LA

The Feel of Bein' Gone
Nancy Rowe Hilltop Records #HTS 217
"First Class Country"
Sony/Tree ATV Music-BMI

The Feel of Bein'Gone
Charlie Lilly Hummingbird Music HUM007
Charlie Lilly and the Poor Side Band
Sony/ATV Music -BMI

The Monday Problem
Charlie Lilly Hummingbird Music HUM 007
Charlie Lilly and the Poor Side Band
Window Music-BMI and Sojourner Music-BMI

The Tracks You Left On Me
Ed Bruce MRT Records CD # 11055 and Cass # 11054
"This Old Hat"
Sojourner Music and Home At Last Music- BMI

The Tracks You Left On Me
Robyn Young Reflect Records/Pretty World CD# RR102
Good Ole Country Days
Home at Last Music-BMI and Sojourner Music-BMI

Truth Is I'm A Liar
Ed Bruce MRT Records CD# 11055 and Cass # 11054
"This Old Hat"
Southern Arts Music and Sojourner Music -BMI

Truth Is I'm A Liar
Myra Rolen Pretty World Records
"Hold That Thought" CD
Southern Arts Music and Sojourner Music-BMI

The Feel of Bein' Gone
Ed Bruce MRT Records CD # 11055 and Cass # 11054
"This Old Hat"
Sony/ATV-Tree Music -BMI

I Wonder
Mona Golabek The Romantic Hours
Radio Program 2003
Sojourner Music -BMI

Let Me Be Your Reason
Linda Angeline Coat of Arms Records
Second Wind
Coar Music and Sojourner Music-BMI

Liberated Woman
Dawn Busemeyer Coat of Arms Records
Hot To Go
Coar Music and Sojourner Music-BMI

Half of Everything
Shelby Lyn Rogers - Melodical Hearts
Music That Matters New England
Sojourner Music-BMI and Salt Creek Music -ASCAP

Losing A Fortune
Shelby Lyn Rogers - Melodical Hearts
Music That Matters New England
Sojourner Music-BMI and Salt Creek Music-ASCAP

Too Old To Cowboy
Chris MacArthur - Tuff Enough To Wear Pink
Coat of Arms Records
Sojourner Music-BMI and M & H Music- BMI

Jackson County Moon
Butch Baker
A Slice of Jackson County-Wildwood Media
Southern Arts Music-BMI

Rebecca Bridges
You're Everything I Never Wanted -Door Knob Records DK-CD93-1034
Rebecca Bridges
Chip N Dale Music Pub.-ASCAP and Door Knob Music Pub-BMI

Rebecca Bridges
You're Everything I Never Wanted -Stonehenge Records SH941001
Leave Your Love Behind
Chip N Dale Music Pub-ASCAP and Door Knob Music Pub -BMI

He Was There
Dave Jeglum -Door Knob Records -DKG -LPS 87 1016
Meet My Friend
Chip N Dale Music Pub-ASCAP and Door Knob Music Pub -BMI

Heartbreak Hall of Fame
Carl Angel
Passing the Time -CA 1515
Salt Creek Music-ASCAP and Sojourner Music-BMI

I Remember Our Goodbye
Jeff Elliott - Hummingbird CAS -009 -92
Songs for Our House
Southern Arts Music-BMI

Lucky Caller # 3
Doc Holliday and Dusty Williams Comstock Records COM -981
Luck Caller #3
Rocky Bell Music-BMI and White Cat Music-ASCAP

With My Eye On Him
Sheet Music- Lorenz Corporation/Sonshine Productions
Cumberland Hill Choir
Sojourner Music-BMI and Salt Creek Music-ASCAP

Back Then
The Truants-Wildwood Media
Music for the Markay
Sojourner Music-BMI and Salt Creek Music-ASCAP

I Remember Our Goodbye
Jeff Elliott - Wildwood Media
Music for the Markay
Southern Arts Music-BMI

Who Cares
Paul Hanks- Jewel Records-790
Rusty York Music-BMI

If I Give Up The Bottle
Paul Hanks - Jewel Records -790
Rusty York Music-BMI

Ramada Rose
Kopperfield -Comstock Records-Com,-1691A
White Cat Music-ASCAP and Rocky Bell Music-BMI

Hometown USA
Slaid Cleaves- Music Road Records - MRR CD 015
Still Fightin the War
Magic Rat Music and Sojourner Music-BMI

The Tracks You left on Me
Robyn Young - Reflect and Pretty World Records -RR102
Good Ole Country Days
Home t Last Music-BMI and Sojourner Music-BMI

The Feel of Bein' Gone by Conway Twitty, Ed Bruce,
Nancy Rowe and John Fitzwater
Washed In The Blood by Jimmie Davis
The Tracks You Left On Me by Ed Bruce, Neville Anderson, Robyn Young
I Was On My Way Before The Dawn by Bud Logan
Lucky Caller # 3 by Doc Holliday
Just An Old House by Hylo Brown
He Was There by Dave Jeglum
You're Everything I Never Wanted by Rebecca Bridges
Truth Is I'm A Liar by Ed Bruce, Myra Rolen
Quiet Time by Jan Harbuck
Hometown USA by Slaid Cleaves

Sings and Writes His Own Style

          Much feel of the mechanics of what is in the song. Laid back with much feeling. He’s a deep thinker and sings and writes with deep seated sensitivity. He only shares what he has experienced. Listen for a story of him or someone in his life or justly so, someone you’ve probably seen before or knew as a friend. If he hasn’t touched, felt or seen it, you probably won’t hear it.

Born - Jackson, Ohio –Spent most of his life in Southern Ohio. Has a B.S. Degree from Eastern Kentucky University and an M.S. Degree from the University of Dayton.

          Started his career in a rock band (The Truants) just like many other musicians.  As a young boy he does remember the music of Hank Williams, Red Foley, Ray Price, Ernest Tubb and George Jones.  During his high school and college years played the music of the Merle Haggard, The Kingsmen and The Beatles and many other artist/bands of the 60’s.

Married – Wife Melody and 2 Children

Beliefs-    Music is a gift from God

                Songwriters are born not made

                Hates to see music categorized

                Work hard and good things will happen

                Life is everlasting thru Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior

Hobbies and Interest

          Golf and watching football (former coach)

          Reading

People that have helped

          Jeff Elliott                          Jack Key

          Ed Bruce                          Dave Howell

          Ann Stuckey-Davis            Tom Fettke

          Jay Vern                           Amanda Williams

          Everett Hale                      John Foster

          To many others to name

Listens to

          Mickey Newbury, Eva Cassidy, Ed Bruce, Norah Jones, Larry Jon Wilson, Guy Clark, Keb Mo, Darrell Scott, Jonell Mosser, and Lyle Lovett.

Reads

The Bible, Pat Conroy, William Bennett, Dan Jenkins, Richard Marcinko and anything else he can find interesting and entertaining.

He has great respect for his mom and dad- “They taught me how to work hard and were of great support”.  “I love and respect them a lot”.

Loves his family –“We have a deal, they support me and I support them in everything we do”.

Thoughts on Nashville and songwriting

          If you stand by the door long enough it will finally open but it can pass you by. The key element is persistence and discipline.  This is true not only in songwriting but in everything we do in life.

mamorgan44@frontier.com

740-286-1514