Prolific #1 hit songwriter John Morgan’s highly anticipated debut album, Carolina Blue, will release Friday, April 25, as his debut radio single “Friends Like That (feat. Jason Aldean)” soars toward Top 10. Pre-order/pre-save/pre-add HERE and listen now to “Crickets.”
“With Carolina Blue, I hope there’s relatability in the songs we chose and that the lyrics within them strike a chord,” John shares of his excitement of the debut. “I’m a dad and married and in a different stage of life than I was when I first moved from North Carolina to Nashville. I don’t try to be anything I’m not. I’ve never been good at that and know folks can snuff that out pretty quick. I hope these songs give people a message that there’s value in whatever they are doing. Most of the people that hear this are working the blue collar jobs I’d be doing if this wasn’t working, and I want them to hear their stories and feel their worth in this album.”
Having “already established his bonafides in the songwriting realm” (Billboard), being lauded as an “accomplished songwriter” by People and “Music City Songwriting Star” by the Tennessean, the boldly gritty North Carolina native will deliver a tantalizing robust 12-track debut. A brilliantly curated collection of songs, the authentically humble and tenaciously driven powerhouse artist - who has “stadium-ready written all over him” (All Country News) - not only co-wrote every track on the project but also co-produced it alongside Brent Anderson.
Exploring the complex layers of relationships a man can have with women throughout his life - whether he’s yearning for momma’s cooking and a Smoky Mountain porch or going on-and-on about the one who caught his eye - the record includes the previously released “I Know Better,” the blue-collar, 18-wheeler anthem “Long Ride Home,” and today’s jaunty new track "Crickets” that boasts a tempo-ready groove proving that sometimes Mother Nature is the only soundtrack needed.
Heading out with Chase Matthew along with making his 2025 Stagecoach Festival debut, the tactful artist that Saving Country Music advised to “keep on your radar” just dropped the official music video for his rowdy party starter “Friends Like That.” Featuring Jason Aldean, the skillfully clever song is currently surging into the Top 10 at country radio and has received critical acclaim from Billboard, MusicRow, Tennessean and more.
About John Morgan:
With a style that’s defined by melodic grit and a craftsman’s approach to songwriting, John Morgan brings a blue-collar toughness to country that’s pulled straight from the only life he knows. Hailing from a tiny town called Sylva, deep in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, John grew up immersed in bluegrass tradition and even toured the festival circuit each summer in a family band, before diving into songwriting, inspired by six-string legends from Tony Rice to John Mayer. Now, “a Music City songwriting star” (Tennessean), he has earned cuts with Jon Pardi, Dustin Lynch, Thomas Rhett and an outstanding 16 for Jason Aldean, including the superstar’s #1 songs - “Trouble With A Heartbreak” and the GRAMMY® nominated, ACM Single of the Year “If I Didn’t Love You” with Carrie Underwood, along with Aldean’s latest single at country radio “Whiskey Drink” currently climbing the charts. Praised by People as an “accomplished songwriter,” Aldean signed the sought-after, powerhouse artist “with guitar skills that will knock your cowboy boots off" (Nash News) to Night Train Records, his imprint with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. Having made his Grand Ole Opry debut and logging hours on the road opening for Aldean, ERNEST, Riley Green, Nate Smith and Jameson Rodgers, his party starter smash "Friends Like That" - featuring Jason Aldean - is currently surging into the Top 10 at country radio. With the Tennessean praising the “live concert favorite whose banjo and steel underpinnings still allow room for a hard-rocking core,” John's breakout radio single has Billboard applauding, “Broken hearts aren’t typically pleasurable, although the breezy melody and pulsing guitars on ‘Friends Like That’ make loneliness sound attractive.” Giving fans a taste of new music with the jaunty “Crickets,” confident “I Know Better” and heartrendingly smooth “Long Ride Home,” John Morgan’s highly anticipated debut album, Carolina Blue, drops April 25.
