Morgan to play VC: Country star to perform at the Winter Show

He’s been on the country music charts for the better part of the past decade and next weekend he’ll be at the North Dakota Winter Show in Valley City.

Craig Morgan, country musician and reality TV star, will bring his style of fun-loving and heart-felt music to North Dakota.

“We have a lot of fun — it’s a high-energy show,” Morgan said during a phone interview Wednesday. “We run around and have a lot of fun, and like I said we have a good time, and we want everyone that comes to the show to feel like they spent their money well.”

Morgan is known for a number of popular country singles including, “Almost Home,” “That’s What I Love About Sunday,” “Redneck Yacht Club,” and “International Harvester,” to name a few.

Morgan also just released his sixth studio album, “This Ole Boy,” on Tuesday.

“We started listening and writing, and when it came time to pick the songs we said ‘Hey here’s the stuff that we think is going to successful,’ and collectively we all picked songs and these are the 12 we ended up with,” Morgan said.

His new single is titled “This Ole Boy,” the same as the album, but other songs like “Love Loves A Long Tonight,” and “Corn Star” will have the same appeal as his older hits, he said.

“It’s just music about the people that we sing to and for,” Morgan said. “Those same people who live and love country music and the country lifestyle.”

Around these parts Morgan may be best known for two of his rowdier singles, “Redneck Yacht Club,” and “International Harvester.”

Both are upbeat and anything but downtrodden. But that mix of emotions is essential to Morgan’s music, he said.

“Not every day is a great day, not every day is a bad day — it’s a mix,” Morgan said. “So I think the music on a CD or project should reflect life, and so I try to stick as close to that.”

A lot of Morgan’s music has been inspired by the life he’s lived.

Morgan served 10 1/2 years as an active member of the U.S. Army with the 101st and 82nd Airborne divisions. He spent the next 6 1/2 years as a reservist.

From there he took a job as a sheriff’s deputy and while doing that, worked at Walmart and construction as a way to support his family.

“I did all other kinds of odd jobs while I was a full-time deputy and I was also pursuing the song-writing business,” he said.

Eventually Morgan found what he was looking for, as his music can be heard on radio stations across the country.

It has also left him enough free time to actively perform for troops overseas, as well as become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

He’s even on TV as the star in his own show, “All Access Outdoors.”

Played Saturdays on the Outdoors Channel, Morgan’s show follows the country singer hunting, fishing, camping and much, much more.

“I think it’s very important that us as outdoorsmen, in particular the hunters, continue to be the conservationists that we are,” he said. “Because without it we won’t have these resources later on in life, and I think hunters are probably the greatest conservationists out there.”

Whether he’s singing, hunting, or on TV, Morgan said he is grateful for the opportunities he has received in his lifetime.

“It’s all been a blessing and I’m grateful for every minute,” Morgan said.

Morgan will be at the North Dakota Winter show at 8 p.m. Friday, March 9. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 at the door and can be purchased by calling 1-800-437-0218.

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455 or by email at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

Tags: diversions, entertainment, concert