Craig Morgan (singer)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Craig Morgan


Img_capt = Craig Morgan performing at the Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez, California.
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Craig Morgan Greer
Born = birth date and age|1965|07|17
Origin = Kingston Springs, Tennessee, United States
Instrument = Vocals, rhythm guitar
Genre = Country
Occupation = Singer-songwriter
Years_active = 2000-present
Label = Atlantic
Broken Bow
BNA
URL = [http://www.craigmorgan.com/ craigmorgan.com]

Craig Morgan (born Craig Morgan Greer, July 17, 1965 in Kingston Springs, Tennessee) is an American country music artist. A veteran of the United States Army, Morgan began his musical career in late 1999 on Atlantic Records, recording one album (2000's "Craig Morgan") for that label before the closure of its Nashville division in 2000.

Three years later, he signed to the independent Broken Bow Records, where he broke through in 2003 with "Almost Home," his first Top Ten hit on the country music charts and the first single from his 2003 album "I Love It". He followed up "I Love It" in 2005 with "My Kind of Livin'". His highest-selling album to date, it has been certified gold in the United States. It includes the single "That's What I Love About Sunday", which spent four weeks at the top of the "Billboard" Hot Country Songs charts and was named as the top country single of 2005 by "Billboard". "My Kind of Livin’" also produced the #2 hit "Redneck Yacht Club." "Little Bit of Life", his third album for Broken Bow and fourth overall, was released in late 2006. It produced three additional singles, including Top Ten hits in the title track and "International Harvester".

In March 2008, Morgan left Broken Bow for BNA Records, a division of Sony BMG Nashville. His first single for the label, "Love Remembers," was issued in April.

Biography

Craig Morgan Greer was born in Kingston Springs, Tennessee and grew up in rural Tennessee. He became an Emergency medical technician at age 18. A few years later, he joined the Army and was stationed in South Korea. He was in combat as part of Operation Just Cause in Panama in 1989. While stationed in Korea, Morgan wrote a number of songs and won various military singing and songwriting contests.

Morgan spent ten years on active duty as a Fire Support Specialist in the United States Army, serving in the 101st and 82d Airborne Divisions before launching his music career. He holds Airborne, Jumpmaster, and Air Assault qualifications. [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0KAB/is_/ai_83037102 "Craig Morgan: From country boy to soldier boy in one leap," "Army Reserve Magazine", Fall 2001, Lee Elder] ]

In addition to his Opry appearances and regular touring schedule, Morgan frequently performs at military bases both in the U.S. and abroad. He was awarded the 2006 USO Merit Award for his tireless support of US soldiers and their families. [ [http://www.usometrodc.org/site/News3.22PR.htm "USO-Metro Honors Shining Stars at 23rd Annual Awards Dinner," USO of Metropolitan Washington Press Release, "USOMetroDC.org", retrieved on 2008-10-10] ] Morgan has been active in raising money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. [http://www.specialops.org/news_past.asp]

On September 18, 2008, Morgan was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He is scheduled to be formally inducted on October 25, 2008. [ [http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,,GAC_26063_5938037,00.html "Craig Morgan: From the Army to the Opry," "GACTV.com" press release, September 18, 2008] . Retrieved on 2008-10-10.]

Musical career

Upon his return home to Tennessee, he worked various jobs to support his family, including as a construction worker, a security guard and a sheriff's deputy. He would later land a job in Nashville singing demos for other songwriters and publishing companies.

The demos led to releasing his first album with Atlantic Records, the self-titled "Craig Morgan" in 2000. In 2003, Morgan signed with Broken Bow Records and released his second album, "I Love It". It featured his first Top Ten hit, "Almost Home."

In 2005, Morgan released his third album, "My Kind of Livin'", which included the hit "That's What I Love About Sunday." A four-week number-one hit in the early spring of 2005, it was the biggest country music song of that year according to Billboard. The album also produced two more singles: "Redneck Yacht Club" and "I Got You"; the former of which topped the former-"Radio & Records" (now known as "Mediabase 24/7") country singles charts, although it peaked at #2 on "Billboard". Craig had originally intended to offer the latter song to Keith Urban, but decided to record it himself instead; his version was a Top 20 hit on the country charts.

Morgan's third album for Broken Bow, and his fourth overall, is titled "Little Bit of Life". Its title track was a Top Ten hit on the country music charts in late 2006-early 2007, while "Tough", its followup, peaked at #11. "International Harvester", the third single, was released in late 2007 and reached the Top Ten in 2008.

In February 2008, Morgan announced his departure from Broken Bow; [ [http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/genre/e3i81c08183090090372a3b112ec9196d7b Morgan Exits Broken Bow, Valory Next?] ] he has since signed to BNA Records, a division of Sony BMG Nashville. [cite web |url=http://www.countryforever.com/sitepages/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=422&Itemid=57 |title=Craig Morgan to sign with Sony BMG Nashville |accessdate=2008-03-25 |last=Haislop |first=Neil |date=2008-03-11 |work=Country Forever] Sony stated that he will release his first album by late 2008. [ [http://www.sonybmgnashville.com/pressreleases/details.cfm?artistid=0&pressid=1000406 Craig Morgan to Sign with Sony BMG Nashville] ]

Discography

References

External links

* [http://www.craigmorgan.com/ Official web site]