There’s the TV show The Voice, and there’s the man The Voice – Gary Morris, who comes from a long line of traditional country and gospel singers.

No stranger to hits, he has had more than 25 hit singles including the popular ballad The Wind Beneath My Wings, along with nearly 20 albums and counting.

In honor of his 66th birthday we take a look back on where he comes from and some of his many accomplishments over the years.

Childhood and Youth

Born on December 7, 1948, Gary showed early signs of talent for singing and sports. After moving during the late 50’s from Fort Worth to North Richard Hills, Texas, he teamed up with his twin sister Carey to win a talent competition. They were in the third grade at the time and their version of the hit song This Old House brought them victory. However, singing remained a hobby rather than a lifestyle. Morris also has a younger brother Mark.

While attending Richland High School, Gary participated in no less than 4 sport activities leading to a scholarship at Cisco Junior College. Here singing and music did become a serious part of his life.His next move was to Colorado where he and two friends formed a trio, taking the first steps on the road towards becoming a music legend.

Their first show took place in a Colorado Springs bar and the overwhelming response they received from the crowd was an obvious sign that they were on the right track. He decided that college had to wait and went in pursuit of his new found career.

Music Career

By the 1970’s, Gary was able to make a living performing in nightclubs situated around Denver. He also made some extra money through Frontier Airlines for the commercial jingles he wrote for them. His breakthrough came in 1976 when he joined the campaign of presidential candidate Jimmy Carter. He typically performed at fundraisers and when Carter won the election he upgraded to the White House. This is where Norro Wilson spotted Gary. Wilson, a Nashville music producer was impressed with him, even more so when Gary handed him a demo. Wilson wasted little time signing him to Warner Bros. Records.

After signing with Warner Bros. in 1980, several songs from the first self-titled album made it to the top 40 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs. But as 1981 was coming to a close, Headed for a Heartache reached No. 8 on  the charts, followed up by Don’t Look Back at No. 12 and Dreams Die Hard at No. 15.  Gary Morris was beginning to make it in the music business!

In 1983, Gary released the album Why Lady Why and one of the four featured singles was the well-known hit Wind Beneath My Wings. The ballad-based album acquired gold status and it included The Love She Found in Me and Velvet Chains, both of which made the top 10 on the Billboard Charts.

1984 held two more top ten songs for Gary, Between Two Fires and Second Hand Heart, but in 1985 he achieved every singer’s dream – his first No. 1 hit with Baby Bye Bye.

By 1987 he added 4 more No. 1 hits, I’ll Never Stop Loving You, 100% Chance of Rain, Leave Me Lonely, and Makin’ Up for Lost Time.

In 1987, Gary took a several year break from country music to play Jean Valjean on Broadway in Les Misérables (see below).

By 1992, Gary was “off Broadway” and back to Nashville working on a record deal with Liberty Records, but unfortunately no album resulted. However, the video to one song, Love Hurts did get made into a video (see below). It tells the story of a man coming home to find the love of his life isn’t there anymore, and as much as he tries to shun out the pain, nothing works.  We’ll be providing more insight into to this video that nearly cost Gary his life!

Now with more time to himself, Gary became heavily involved with his TNN TV show, The North American Sportsman, and his music publishing company, Gary Morris Music. Fortunately, his publishing company helped launch the careers of hit songwriter Victoria Shaw, who co-wrote The River (Garth Brooks) and Faith Hill who worked as an assistant in the office.  It was only when a singer didn’t show up to record a demo that Faith volunteered to sing in her place.  No one in the office, including Gary, had any idea she could sing.  It wasn’t long before she moved from behind a desk to in front of a microphone – and millions of fans.

Album Releases

1982 – Gary Morris
This was the first album Gary released and it features 4 charting songs, namely:
Sweet Red Wine
Headed for a Heartache
Don’t Look Back
Dreams Die Hard

1983 – Why Lady Why
This is the second album Gary released with Warner Bros. and as mentioned earlier, it reached certified gold status. The chart singles include:
Velvet Chains
Wind Beneath My Wings
The Love She Found in Me
Why Lady Why

1984 – Faded Blue
The third album release contained 3 chart singles, of which Baby Bye Bye went to number one. These are:
Between Two Fires
Second Hand Heart
Baby Bye Bye

 

1985 – Hits
Two singles from this collection reached the Billboard Country music singles chart:
Lasso the Moon
Finishing Touches

 

1985 – Anything Goes
Three hit singles came from this collection and they were:
I’ll Never Stop Loving You (No. 1)
100% Chance of Rain (No. 1)
Anything Goes

 

1986 – Plain Brown Paper
It’s one of the first unplugged albums that became very popular and has three singles that made the charts.
Honeycomb
Leave Me Lonely (No. 1)
Plain Brown Paper

1987 – What if we Fall in Love?
The following year Gary collaborated with Crystal Gayle to release this album with three chart singles. The album itself also reached the Billboard Top Country Albums charts.
Makin’ Up for Lost Time (N0. 1 song from CBS Series “Dallas)
Another World
All of this and More

 

1988 – Every Christmas
It’s the only Christmas album Gary released during the 80’s and features 10 songs. It was also the last album with Warner Bros.

 

 

1989 – Stones
Two singles from this album made it into the Billboard charts. At this time Gary had signed with Universal Records, but this was the only album they released.
Never had a Love Song
The Jaws of Modern Romance

1990 – These Days
Just by looking at the album cover you can tell that Gary was moving into modern times with his look. Released by Capitol Records, one single made it to the charts.
Miles Across the Bedroom

 

1990 – Greatest Hits Vol II
This album picks up where Hits left off.  Included is the theme song from the soap opera Another World, a duet with Crystal Gayle.  Of special note is that it also includes You’re Welcome to Tonight, a duet with Lynn Anderson, and co-written by posthumous Nashville StarVision player Grant Boatwright.

 

2001 – Lone Star Knight
Recorded with an independent label, House Records, Gary experimented with songs that didn’t really include country and mostly focused on pop.

 

 

2008 – I Believe
The first gospel album released by Gary.

 

 

2014 – Faith and Freedom
His most recent album is dedicated to the troops of the United States.

 

 

Gary’s music is available directly from GaryMorris.com as well as Amazon.com and iTunes.  Also available at Gary’s website are lots of other music items (My Son, Your Christmas a duet CD with his son Matt Morris), dvds, apparel, and autographed pictures.  Check it out!

Acting Career

One of Gary’s most notable roles as an actor is his portrayal of Jean Valjean in the Grammy award-winning Broadway production Les Misérables. His version of Bring Him Home which is featured on the album, reached platinum status. Gary was also the first country singer to make the successful transition to opera beginning with Puccini’s La Boheme alongside Linda Ronstadt.

As for television, Gary has made several guest appearances on popular shows like Mike Hammer and Designing Women. But one show everyone has come to associate Gary with the most is without a doubt North American Sportsman. For 5 years he was the host of this adventurous hunting and fishing show featuring celebrity guests such as General Schwarzkopf, Ted Nugent, Troy Aikman, Ed Marinaro, Lee Horsleym and others including famous hunters like Knight & Hale.  The show ventured throughout North America, Alaska being a favorite and as far away as Africa and Argentina.

His home in Colorado also plays witness to the love he has for fresh air and mountain range scenery. Since 2001 he has been the owner of the Mountain Spirit Lodge, a fishing and hunting haven that can accommodate up to 20 guests.

Gary also took part in one of the most moving PBS documentaries ever made. It was called Gary Morris and the Art of Tretyakov. He was the first musician to perform live in that majestic Russian museum that holds thousands of artworks, and the music he chose complemented the paintings perfectly.

Charity Events

Gary has always supported charities, but a cause he is more passionate about above all else is supporting the military. Before he even released his first album Gary was doing a USO tour. For him it’s not about the war or religion, but standing by those brave men and women who sacrifice themselves to protect their country. Even now he does anything he can to raise funds, whether it’s attending a golf game, special events or concerts. He also shows a lot of support for TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors). It was established to help those who have lost loved ones while serving the military.

 Living Legacy

Critics have described his voice, “The Voice”, as transcending.  It’s because of singers like Gary that music is called a form of art.

His versatility in the entertainment industry has taken him across the globe, giving performances not just in the White House, but also for the queen of England. In fact, he’s always been a little elusive making it hard to keep track of him and all his accomplishments. When he wasn’t hosting his own TV program, he was taking recurring roles in other favorite shows, cutting a new record, playing road gigs and benefits, supporting a good cause or simply out somewhere in the wilderness enjoying nature.

When Scott Hamilton, an Olympic Gold Medalist figure skater, won his battle with cancer and made a return he wanted Gary to perform on his CBS comeback special.

Who can forget the self-produced acoustic album, Plain Brown Paper, Gary released before unplugged sessions became so popular? Gary has even produced a Hungarian rock band.

On your 66th birthday, we thank you Gary Morris! We thank you for the way you touched our lives through your voice and talents, and we thank you for what you have yet to produce. We hope this day will be special in every possible way and that there will be many more to follow!

 

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