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William Michael Morgan Makes a Traditional Impact on Country Music

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They say first impressions always leave the biggest impact, and if you are speaking of William Michael Morgan, that couldn’t be more true. The Vicksburg, Mississippi native first hit the country scene back in 2015 and the impression he gave was one of a true country artist, a traditionalist who wears a cowboy hat and boots. Since then Morgan has been on the ride of his life with his music.

“It’s been a blessing of the past few years,” Morgan admitted during our interview from his home in Mississippi. “Our first album came out and made it into the Top 5, our first single goes #1, our second single hit the top 30 and the title track off our album Vinyl was our third single…it’s been getting a lot of streams and a lot of great attention on social media.”

When his debut single, “I Met A Girl” first hit radio there were plenty of comparisons to the neo-traditionalists of the 80’s and 90’s. His music was a throwback to a time when country music couldn’t be mistaken for any other genre.

“I just want to do my part in preserving that and keeping that flag waving,” Morgan stated. “I put as much of that into my music as I possibly can, because that is what I was influenced by and that’s all I know. I’m sure that I could have a million more sales if I did ‘this’ or did ‘that’, but I don’t feel that would be real or true to what I’m doing.”

Though he has become one of the torchbearers of the new traditionalists, Morgan never complains or criticizes the music that has become more prevalent on mainstream radio. “I just stay the course,” he confessed. “I cannot knock any of the music out right now because some of it is really good. So, I am just doing my thing, just like any other artist doing their thing, I believe in what I do and I’m gonna stay true to that.”

Morgan will get even more of a chance to profess what he is about on his next project. His songwriting will come more to the forefront, something that he said he wasn’t ready for with the first album.

“On the first record, Vinyl, I wanted to pick the best songs and knew at the time I was not a great songwriter, so I very gladly picked outside songs,” he explained. “I only had two songs on that record, “Something’ to Drink About” and a song called “Lonesomeville.” But for this record I had a lot of things happen in my life personally – a lot of great things and terrible things. So, I’m taking those emotions and writing about them and I really feel confident that about half of the record will be my songs. I really feel that that is a good representation of me and my fans can open up the door a little bit more and learn a little more about me.”

If you go to his show at the Thirsty Cowboy in Medina on Friday, January 19, you might even get a chance to hear some of these new songs. “I am gonna sneak a song or two in there. I’m not really gonna say much about it. I don’t want to put it out there too much, but I am gonna sing a couple of them just to get a little response. Kind of under the radar, but just to see how people feel about them.”

How people feel about Morgan himself is evident on his social media, and also if you have ever seen the line of folks waiting to meet him after a concert. We asked if he will be coming out to meet with his fans at his Thirsty Cowboy show, something he seems to do on a regular basis. “You know what I can’t believe, I can’t believe that,” he answered with a sense of disbelief. “It’s so weird to me in the best possible way, it’s just so different to me that people are thinking, ‘I want to meet that guy.’ It’s just so bizarre.”

So, will you be doing a Meet & Greet…”Of course I will be,” Morgan answered in a matter of fact sort of way.

Between the shows, songwriting and recording Morgan has little time off, but when he does get a chance to unwind he has some things he likes to do. “I’m a normal person just like everyone else, I like to Netflix and kick back and sit in my pajamas and just relax for a day or two. I don’t get too much time to sit around and watch TV, but when I do I enjoy it.”

And one thing he always finds himself doing is listening to music, and it’s not just the idols he grew up with like Keith Whitley, George Strait and Mark Chesnutt. “I’m always listening to music, but it’s not all Country Music,” he explained, “I’ll listen to Barry White, or Bobby Womack, then I’ll switch to Frank Sinatra and then switch over to Merle Haggard. A big pot I listen to and draw inspiration from.”

He has been drawing on those inspirations ever since he started performing in the clubs and honky-tonks at the age of 14. So we asked if he could go back in time and tell his 14-year-old self any advice what would it be. “Keep your head up…and stay away from the booze,” he laughingly answered. “But, you got to have a little fun, too.”

Morgan recalls his last show at Thirsty Cowboy as a “fun time.” He is looking forward to his return and left us by inviting all to come out to the show by saying… “C’mon baby, let’s have a good time, it’s gonna be a fun time, were gonna be playing some new music, so let’s hoot and holler.”

The one thing you can be sure of is that William Michael Morgan will leave an impression about himself and his music that will last for a long time.

William Michael Morgan will be performing along with special guest Austin Burke on Friday, January 19 at Thirsty Cowboy in Medina. Tickets are $12 and are available at ThirstyCowboy.com. 18 and over show.

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