William Michael Morgan has said that when he was growing up he would lock himself in his room and watch YouTube videos of artists like George Strait and Keith Whitley. Those artists were steeped in tradition in their voices and delivery of a song, so it’s no small wonder that Morgan’s style emulates those Country icons of the past.
Morgan released his debut album Vinyl last fall and quickly rose up the Country charts with his lead off single, “I Met A Girl” which didn’t stop until it hit #1. The song was written by singer/songwriter Sam Hunt, but that’s the only thing about the track that has any connection to pop country that has been prevalent on Country radio. Morgan delivers the song in a way that makes this 23-year-old seem like a music veteran of year’s gone by.
The album also gets a helping hand from other Country music artists that were on the radio when Morgan was growing up. Rhett Akins, father of Thomas Rhett, co-wrote the fun little song that is Morgan’s second release from the album, “Missing.” And, Kevin Denney and Trent Tomlinson add to the mix of tradition with “Cheap Cologne.”
Most of the tracks on the album could have been a cut from an early 90’s album by Strait or Alan Jackson, artists that were topping the charts long before Morgan was born. But, Morgan still delivers these songs like a true traditionalist, with a voice and delivery that is so reminiscent of those artists he would watch on YouTube when he was just a kid. Morgan doesn’t simply imitate these artists, instead he finds his true Country soul in every song.
We hope to hear a lot more from Morgan and are pretty sure that we will – for a long time to come. It has been said before that diversity in Country music is awesome, but tradition should live on.
William Michael Morgan will be performing at Thirsty Cowboy in Medina with special guest Morgan Myles this Saturday, April 8. Tickets are $12 pre-sale and are available at ThirstyCowboy.com or at the door the night of the show.
