Taking a Walk.

Taking a Walk.

You know what I've been, My platform has been for some time, and I know it now is God, Family, Country.

You know what I've been, My platform has been for some time, and I know it now is God, Family, Country.

My music is going.

My music is going.

To be in and around those things regardless, and I personally believe that the majority of our listener base is Middle America and those three things are of most importance to them.

To be in and around those things regardless, and I personally believe that the majority of our listener base is Middle America and those three things are of most importance to them.

Welcome to the Taking a Walk Podcast, the show where Buzz Night speaks with musicians of all type on their music, their influences, and their passion for creative excellence. And today Buzz is joined by country music singer songwriter Craig Morgan. Craig's work spans beyond his music with his service to country, his philanthropic work, and his love of the outdoors, but his music carries all of the message. And he's got a new album out and called American Soundtrack on BBR BMG Nashville, and we're thrilled to have him joined Buzz Night on the Taking a Walk Podcast right now.

Welcome to the Taking a Walk Podcast, the show where Buzz Night speaks with musicians of all type on their music, their influences, and their passion for creative excellence. And today Buzz is joined by country music singer songwriter Craig Morgan. Craig's work spans beyond his music with his service to country, his philanthropic work, and his love of the outdoors, but his music carries all of the message. And he's got a new album out and called American Soundtrack on BBR BMG Nashville, and we're thrilled to have him joined Buzz Night on the Taking a Walk Podcast right now.

Greig, thanks for being on Take a Walk. It's a pleasure.

Greig, thanks for being on Take a Walk. It's a pleasure.

Oh, thank you. Thanks for having me.

Oh, thank you. Thanks for having me.

So since the podcast is called Taking a Walk, I do want to ask you a question if you could take a walk with somebody living or dead, who would you take a walk with and where would you take that walk with him?

So since the podcast is called Taking a Walk, I do want to ask you a question if you could take a walk with somebody living or dead, who would you take a walk with and where would you take that walk with him?

Ooh, that's fascinating. Probably Mother Angelica. And wherever we walked it wouldn't matter. I'm sure it would be someplace peaceful. I just thought she was so insightful and so loving and caring and honest. I've listened to some of her older stuff, and I just absolutely love anyone who is so spiritual. I would also say, like Billy Graham, you know, I would love to listen to him, and I have questions for them, you.

Ooh, that's fascinating. Probably Mother Angelica. And wherever we walked it wouldn't matter. I'm sure it would be someplace peaceful. I just thought she was so insightful and so loving and caring and honest. I've listened to some of her older stuff, and I just absolutely love anyone who is so spiritual. I would also say, like Billy Graham, you know, I would love to listen to him, and I have questions for them, you.

Know, And it would be a calming walk. I have a feeling right, no.

Know, And it would be a calming walk. I have a feeling right, no.

No question.

No question.

For some reason, I can't help but think it would be in a garden.

For some reason, I can't help but think it would be in a garden.

Not a bad place to be right with anybody, but particularly those folks for sure. Well, congrats on American Soundtrack. We're going to talk about the making of it and sort of the behind the scenes of it, but I did want to ask you who were the earliest influences that gave you the inspiration to pursue a career in music?

Not a bad place to be right with anybody, but particularly those folks for sure. Well, congrats on American Soundtrack. We're going to talk about the making of it and sort of the behind the scenes of it, but I did want to ask you who were the earliest influences that gave you the inspiration to pursue a career in music?

Well, country wise, it was my all time favorite, who is now very dear friend, mister John Conley.

Well, country wise, it was my all time favorite, who is now very dear friend, mister John Conley.

I can remember as.

I can remember as.

A kid listening to a song called Rose Colored Glasses and I just absolutely loved it, and then listen to everything that he did. But I was also listening to Gene Watson, George Jones, Merle Haggard, all of it. Likes it and then got into the that brought me in and then Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, Alan j.

A kid listening to a song called Rose Colored Glasses and I just absolutely loved it, and then listen to everything that he did. But I was also listening to Gene Watson, George Jones, Merle Haggard, all of it. Likes it and then got into the that brought me in and then Garth Brooks, Randy Travis, Alan j.

Those guys really influenced as well.

Those guys really influenced as well.

But unlike a lot of country artists, I was also very influenced by the likes of Luther Vandross, the Commodore's Lionel Richie thirty eight Special, Leonard Skinnard. I had a wide range of influences in my life.

But unlike a lot of country artists, I was also very influenced by the likes of Luther Vandross, the Commodore's Lionel Richie thirty eight Special, Leonard Skinnard. I had a wide range of influences in my life.

James Taylor was one of my all time favorites.

James Taylor was one of my all time favorites.

Anyone who sang a song that told such a great story, that's what I was really into.

Anyone who sang a song that told such a great story, that's what I was really into.

And who embodied this spirit of incredible resilience that you've had through through your life, through your work, and through your life of serving the country. Who were the folks in your life that inspired that resilience.

And who embodied this spirit of incredible resilience that you've had through through your life, through your work, and through your life of serving the country. Who were the folks in your life that inspired that resilience.

All kinds of folks, I mean, I could from my parents up to military personnel in particulars a gentleman who I served with by the name of Bill Geer, Colonel Greer.

All kinds of folks, I mean, I could from my parents up to military personnel in particulars a gentleman who I served with by the name of Bill Geer, Colonel Greer.

He was an extremely influential individual.

He was an extremely influential individual.

In fact, he's one of the main influences on my being in.

In fact, he's one of the main influences on my being in.

The music business.

The music business.

He's a guy that when I went to re enlist, I asked him because I was contemplating the music business at the time, and I said, you know, should I stay in or should I get out and try this music thing? Warn his honest opinion, and he said, I'll be honest with you. If you stay in the army, I think you'll be the stortain major of the Army someday, he said, But I also think you've got a really good skill set with this other thing, and you should at least try it. He says, stay in the reserves. If it don't work, you can come back in. You don't lose your rank or time and service. So I did that, and by the time I was at a point to where I thought I might stay in or get back out or whatever. You know, I was doing so well with the music that it made sense.

He's a guy that when I went to re enlist, I asked him because I was contemplating the music business at the time, and I said, you know, should I stay in or should I get out and try this music thing? Warn his honest opinion, and he said, I'll be honest with you. If you stay in the army, I think you'll be the stortain major of the Army someday, he said, But I also think you've got a really good skill set with this other thing, and you should at least try it. He says, stay in the reserves. If it don't work, you can come back in. You don't lose your rank or time and service. So I did that, and by the time I was at a point to where I thought I might stay in or get back out or whatever. You know, I was doing so well with the music that it made sense.

How do you make your faith impact so brilliantly and seamlessly the music that you write.

How do you make your faith impact so brilliantly and seamlessly the music that you write.

That's not me. That's just when I say that's not me, that's a god thing.

That's not me. That's just when I say that's not me, that's a god thing.

But here's what I will say. I have said that music does not dictate who I am.

But here's what I will say. I have said that music does not dictate who I am.

It's what I do, and I'm honored and grateful to God and everybody out there for it. But that my faith is what dictates who I am. That's what I would you know, I hope people remember and I think people remember a lot of the songs that I've been blessed with over my career. But I would hope that when they think of that, when they hear those songs, they remember me as being a guy who genuinely cared about people, genuinely cared about truth and that all that.

It's what I do, and I'm honored and grateful to God and everybody out there for it. But that my faith is what dictates who I am. That's what I would you know, I hope people remember and I think people remember a lot of the songs that I've been blessed with over my career. But I would hope that when they think of that, when they hear those songs, they remember me as being a guy who genuinely cared about people, genuinely cared about truth and that all that.

That's that's my faith.

That's that's my faith.

And that you know, my our goal is Christians is to attempt to be christ Like. That's what a Christian is. It's someone who is christ Like. So that's what I want to be. So my faith is everything. It's it's you know, I always say God, Family, country, and it's in that order.

And that you know, my our goal is Christians is to attempt to be christ Like. That's what a Christian is. It's someone who is christ Like. So that's what I want to be. So my faith is everything. It's it's you know, I always say God, Family, country, and it's in that order.

God is always first.

God is always first.

Well, you were kind enough to be on our music Save Me podcast, which deals in the you know, the the healing power of music and what it can mean to people, and so you you keenly know that and you certainly intersect that in your in your work. When you wrote The Father, My Son and the Holy Ghost. You know, that's the feeling of faith, but that is also you know, a healing power of music moment in my view as well.

Well, you were kind enough to be on our music Save Me podcast, which deals in the you know, the the healing power of music and what it can mean to people, and so you you keenly know that and you certainly intersect that in your in your work. When you wrote The Father, My Son and the Holy Ghost. You know, that's the feeling of faith, but that is also you know, a healing power of music moment in my view as well.

Oh that was that was an all, all knowing God thing right there. I woke up about four point thirty one morning and wrote that song from front.

Oh that was that was an all, all knowing God thing right there. I woke up about four point thirty one morning and wrote that song from front.

To back the way everybody hears it today.

To back the way everybody hears it today.

Uh. And what I've learned in my life, and I think I talked about this.

Uh. And what I've learned in my life, and I think I talked about this.

I do talk about this a lot, and I speak on it when I do speak.

I do talk about this a lot, and I speak on it when I do speak.

To soldiers, especially, is understanding and appreciating that we suffer in life in order that things may be better. And sometimes that suffering is not necessarily just for us. You know, you think about Christ. His suffering was not for himself. He didn't have to do that, but he did. He suffered for others. You think about service members, men and women in the military, and they're not necessarily suffering just for themselves. Now they are. I'm not comparing, Don't get me wrong. I'm not comparing soldiers to Christ. But they're willing to put themselves in harm's way for others and for the well being of others. When I wrote the Father, my Son, and the Holy Ghost. I ever intended for anyone to hear that song.

To soldiers, especially, is understanding and appreciating that we suffer in life in order that things may be better. And sometimes that suffering is not necessarily just for us. You know, you think about Christ. His suffering was not for himself. He didn't have to do that, but he did. He suffered for others. You think about service members, men and women in the military, and they're not necessarily suffering just for themselves. Now they are. I'm not comparing, Don't get me wrong. I'm not comparing soldiers to Christ. But they're willing to put themselves in harm's way for others and for the well being of others. When I wrote the Father, my Son, and the Holy Ghost. I ever intended for anyone to hear that song.

It just happened.

It just happened.

And some psychologists, psychiatrists would probably say that was.

And some psychologists, psychiatrists would probably say that was.

You know, one of those healing moments from me.

You know, one of those healing moments from me.

But I don't know that it was because I'm under the mentality that they will hot stove mentality. You know, if you touch it and it burns, you don't touch it again. But this song, it burns, but I continue to sing it. But I sing it not for me, but for other people people. And the stories that I have heard, the people that have come up and told me how this song saved them, lets me know that my suffering wasn't just for me, It's for other people as well.

But I don't know that it was because I'm under the mentality that they will hot stove mentality. You know, if you touch it and it burns, you don't touch it again. But this song, it burns, but I continue to sing it. But I sing it not for me, but for other people people. And the stories that I have heard, the people that have come up and told me how this song saved them, lets me know that my suffering wasn't just for me, It's for other people as well.

Congrats on American soundtrack. Can you tell me and take us behind the scenes to the beginnings of the creation of it, the writing aspect of it, and how this all came to this brilliant, you know, culmination of a great release.

Congrats on American soundtrack. Can you tell me and take us behind the scenes to the beginnings of the creation of it, the writing aspect of it, and how this all came to this brilliant, you know, culmination of a great release.

Well, first of.

Well, first of.

All, let me say I appreciate the brilliant comment, because none of us that work on this project are brilliant. You know what I've been my platform has been for some time and I know it now is God, Family Country, my music is going to be in and around those things regardless, and I personally believe that the majority of our listener base is Middle America and those three things are of most importance to them. The American Soundtrack project always was like any other music project I've ever done. I just try to write, record, produce, and deliver songs that we think will be hits and that the people won't want to listen to.

All, let me say I appreciate the brilliant comment, because none of us that work on this project are brilliant. You know what I've been my platform has been for some time and I know it now is God, Family Country, my music is going to be in and around those things regardless, and I personally believe that the majority of our listener base is Middle America and those three things are of most importance to them. The American Soundtrack project always was like any other music project I've ever done. I just try to write, record, produce, and deliver songs that we think will be hits and that the people won't want to listen to.

And we did that. And in the process of doing that, when.

And we did that. And in the process of doing that, when.

We recorded American Soundtrack, after we wrote that, I'm like, this whole project is an American soundtrack.

We recorded American Soundtrack, after we wrote that, I'm like, this whole project is an American soundtrack.

Blue collar prayer.

Blue collar prayer.

That's I mean, that's just middle class America as it gets God's problems.

That's I mean, that's just middle class America as it gets God's problems.

Only song on the project.

Only song on the project.

I didn't write, and I had the most trouble singing it because I do not want to be one of God's problems.

I didn't write, and I had the most trouble singing it because I do not want to be one of God's problems.

Country education, Middle America. When we wrote that song.

Country education, Middle America. When we wrote that song.

That song was all about the education that you get not from a scholastic academy or school, but in life. You know, and I know, I'm all over this country, I'm all over the world. But those people who have those basic life skill sets always do better than those people who don't have those And Country Education is all about that. And the American Soundtrack, which this whole thing encompasses in the title cut, is all about songs that have impacted our lives and how our lives literally can just about be laid out to music.

That song was all about the education that you get not from a scholastic academy or school, but in life. You know, and I know, I'm all over this country, I'm all over the world. But those people who have those basic life skill sets always do better than those people who don't have those And Country Education is all about that. And the American Soundtrack, which this whole thing encompasses in the title cut, is all about songs that have impacted our lives and how our lives literally can just about be laid out to music.

And two songs.

And two songs.

You are with the folks at BBR BMG Nashville, which is a great label that is very much of a you know, artist first label. Can you characterize as an artist how important it is to, you know, be in that environment when you're creating such a project like American Soundtrack, Oh.

You are with the folks at BBR BMG Nashville, which is a great label that is very much of a you know, artist first label. Can you characterize as an artist how important it is to, you know, be in that environment when you're creating such a project like American Soundtrack, Oh.

Well, I can.

Well, I can.

It's like it's kind of like being in a marriage and if you come home every day and your wife is scriping about everything you're doing and not supportive or vice versa. If you're coming home and you're not content, it's very uncomfortable and it makes for a.

It's like it's kind of like being in a marriage and if you come home every day and your wife is scriping about everything you're doing and not supportive or vice versa. If you're coming home and you're not content, it's very uncomfortable and it makes for a.

I was almost a combativevironment.

I was almost a combativevironment.

I'm very fortunate BBR BMG those folks allow us as artists. And I can say that because I'm friends with the other artist, Lanny Wilson, Jelly Row, Blake Shelton.

I'm very fortunate BBR BMG those folks allow us as artists. And I can say that because I'm friends with the other artist, Lanny Wilson, Jelly Row, Blake Shelton.

We're all friends. Blake one of my closest friends.

We're all friends. Blake one of my closest friends.

And when you're in an environment where they're supportive and they love you and allow you to use.

And when you're in an environment where they're supportive and they love you and allow you to use.

Your creative sense to develop a project.

Your creative sense to develop a project.

It makes for a It makes for a much more comfortable, much more creative environment.

It makes for a It makes for a much more comfortable, much more creative environment.

It allows you to be that way if they're not restrictive.

It allows you to be that way if they're not restrictive.

They allow us to do our thing and then give them what we do what we do, and then they'll have some input after the fact maybe, But but yeah, it's it's again a whole lot like a marriage.

They allow us to do our thing and then give them what we do what we do, and then they'll have some input after the fact maybe, But but yeah, it's it's again a whole lot like a marriage.

Well, you mentioned, you know, making hits, and obviously that comes down to airplay as well. But as an artist, when you're really working that creative process and pouring out your heart for a project such as American Soundtrack, isn't that the almost last thing you're thinking about? The airplay the hit aspect you're You're it's certainly in your mind, but you're really trying to be true to yourself as an artist first and foremost, and what you stand for is that right?

Well, you mentioned, you know, making hits, and obviously that comes down to airplay as well. But as an artist, when you're really working that creative process and pouring out your heart for a project such as American Soundtrack, isn't that the almost last thing you're thinking about? The airplay the hit aspect you're You're it's certainly in your mind, but you're really trying to be true to yourself as an artist first and foremost, and what you stand for is that right?

Uh? You know?

Uh? You know?

For most people in our business, yes, I do believe that, you know, and I think it's imperative that for me. It's the music industry and I think you must absolutely must find.

For most people in our business, yes, I do believe that, you know, and I think it's imperative that for me. It's the music industry and I think you must absolutely must find.

A balance in order to maintain relevance.

A balance in order to maintain relevance.

There's not a successful artist who did just what they wanted to do. They're just not They do great in coffee shops, they have fun in the in those little places like that. And I'm not knocking it by any means, but if you want to be successful, you must be appealing to the masses.

There's not a successful artist who did just what they wanted to do. They're just not They do great in coffee shops, they have fun in the in those little places like that. And I'm not knocking it by any means, but if you want to be successful, you must be appealing to the masses.

So that's the biggest for me, that was always the biggest struggle, finding the balance.

So that's the biggest for me, that was always the biggest struggle, finding the balance.

Uh.

Uh.

And I've just that's why I take a whole lot more time in pre production. I might spend a year writing and listening to songs in order to find those songs that are great for me to be able to sing, be believable to deliver, and at the same time be appealing to our demographic and sometimes even reaching beyond our demographic. You cannot just do what you think is best. I'm sorry, and I would apply that to everything in your life.

And I've just that's why I take a whole lot more time in pre production. I might spend a year writing and listening to songs in order to find those songs that are great for me to be able to sing, be believable to deliver, and at the same time be appealing to our demographic and sometimes even reaching beyond our demographic. You cannot just do what you think is best. I'm sorry, and I would apply that to everything in your life.

You know, your faith.

You know, your faith.

How arrogant of someone to think that they can completely comprehend every line.

How arrogant of someone to think that they can completely comprehend every line.

In the Bible in their own way and that is their truth. You know, that's the problem with our society these days.

In the Bible in their own way and that is their truth. You know, that's the problem with our society these days.

We've gotten away from the truth and gone to their truth or my truth.

We've gotten away from the truth and gone to their truth or my truth.

And that's a problem.

And that's a problem.

And you can apply that same analogy to what you're doing in your occupation and for me the music, I absolutely have stayed true to my message who I am and what I believe.

And you can apply that same analogy to what you're doing in your occupation and for me the music, I absolutely have stayed true to my message who I am and what I believe.

But at the same time.

But at the same time.

I feel like we've delivered music that is appealing to our fan base, and that's what I want to do.

I feel like we've delivered music that is appealing to our fan base, and that's what I want to do.

And someday I may not and if I'm no longer relevant, I'll move on.

And someday I may not and if I'm no longer relevant, I'll move on.

I want to pick a song like Roots off of American Soundtrack as an example. So from the beginnings of the creation of Roots and then to the ultimate final product, how much does that shift and change and get tweaked as you as an artist or sort of working through that until it's final delivery.

I want to pick a song like Roots off of American Soundtrack as an example. So from the beginnings of the creation of Roots and then to the ultimate final product, how much does that shift and change and get tweaked as you as an artist or sort of working through that until it's final delivery.

I think, just like anybody and anything else in life experience time. If you're referring to this simple song, the song of Roots, we wrote that song pretty much the.

I think, just like anybody and anything else in life experience time. If you're referring to this simple song, the song of Roots, we wrote that song pretty much the.

Way you hear it.

Way you hear it.

But it's easy to do that because we're applying what we know, feel think here to our writing process.

But it's easy to do that because we're applying what we know, feel think here to our writing process.

Yeah, the roots, the roots have never changed in my life.

Yeah, the roots, the roots have never changed in my life.

Where I come from, who I come from, the upbringing.

Where I come from, who I come from, the upbringing.

The.

The.

Philosophies, the basic simple life philosophies that I learned as a child are still very true to me today.

Philosophies, the basic simple life philosophies that I learned as a child are still very true to me today.

And that's what that song's all about, being being true to your roots.

And that's what that song's all about, being being true to your roots.

It comes through shining, shining clearly for sure. In closing, the art of performance is so critical to you know, releasing and then getting out in the road and connecting with your fans and showcasing it in front of a crowd. Can you, just for someone who's never done that, describe the magic of being out there performing in front of your fans, making them happy, moving them, engaging them. What's it like from an artist's perspective to experience that.

It comes through shining, shining clearly for sure. In closing, the art of performance is so critical to you know, releasing and then getting out in the road and connecting with your fans and showcasing it in front of a crowd. Can you, just for someone who's never done that, describe the magic of being out there performing in front of your fans, making them happy, moving them, engaging them. What's it like from an artist's perspective to experience that.

It's very What is the word I'm looking for? It's very empowering. I think people have to be real careful when they're doing something like that. Whatever it may be, you have to be real, real careful not to allow it to.

It's very What is the word I'm looking for? It's very empowering. I think people have to be real careful when they're doing something like that. Whatever it may be, you have to be real, real careful not to allow it to.

Dictate who you are.

Dictate who you are.

It's a moment, and again, it's very empowering, very it's very energetic, and.

It's a moment, and again, it's very empowering, very it's very energetic, and.

It can be extremely exciting. For me, I know what's going on, and I'm grateful for it. I'll be honest with you. Most of times, I'm so.

It can be extremely exciting. For me, I know what's going on, and I'm grateful for it. I'll be honest with you. Most of times, I'm so.

Focused on just trying to remember the words to my songs, especially the ones I wrote. But it's also very exciting, and for me it's humbling and I'm honored. I'm just always so honored to see so many people.

Focused on just trying to remember the words to my songs, especially the ones I wrote. But it's also very exciting, and for me it's humbling and I'm honored. I'm just always so honored to see so many people.

I mean, this tour we're doing right now.

I mean, this tour we're doing right now.

Every night it's over twenty thousand people there, and to see the real and to hear that, it's very humbling, and I'm just grateful. And my objective is to always maintain that sense of gratefulness and not allowed to dictate my thought process.

Every night it's over twenty thousand people there, and to see the real and to hear that, it's very humbling, and I'm just grateful. And my objective is to always maintain that sense of gratefulness and not allowed to dictate my thought process.

Greag Morgan, I'm grateful for you being Untaken a Walk and for the music you continue to give us, and congratulations on American Soundtrack. It is awesome, and thanks for being Untaken a Walk.

Greag Morgan, I'm grateful for you being Untaken a Walk and for the music you continue to give us, and congratulations on American Soundtrack. It is awesome, and thanks for being Untaken a Walk.

Well, thank you, thanks for having.

Well, thank you, thanks for having.

Me, Thanks for listening to this episode of the Taking a Walk podcast. Share this and other episodes with your friends and follow us so you never miss an episode. Taking a Walk is available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.

Me, Thanks for listening to this episode of the Taking a Walk podcast. Share this and other episodes with your friends and follow us so you never miss an episode. Taking a Walk is available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.