JOHN MORGAN’S DEBUT ALBUM, CAROLINA BLUE, AVAILABLE NOW
Features #1 Hit ‘Friends Like That’ (feat. Jason Aldean)
Photo Credit: Matthew Berinato
Nashville, TN. – Billboard’s “Rookie of the Month (Country)” and #1 hit singer/songwriter John Morgan today releases his highly anticipated debut album, Carolina Blue, featuring his first #1 on country radio as an artist – ‘Friends Like That’ (feat. Jason Aldean). Listen to the project HERE.
“To say this album has been a long time coming would be an understatement,” shares John. “Some of these songs are more than four and five years old. I wrote most when I first moved to town in 2020, so they’ve stood the test of time in my book. Carolina Blue is a testament to my home state of North Carolina and all the hard working, good people who’ve been a part of my journey. This project shows who I am as a person and artist, and I hope people can see themselves in the songs too.
Lauded as an “in-demand songcrafter” (Billboard), an “accomplished songwriter” (People) and a “Music City Songwriting Star” (Tennessean), the boldly gritty North Carolinian delivers a tantalisingly robust 12-track debut, proving his preeminence as an dynamically versatile artist ready to takeover the country music scene. A brilliantly curated collection of songs, the authentically humble and tenaciously driven powerhouse artist not only co-wrote every track and played every guitar, but he also co-produced it alongside Brent Anderson.
Making his Stagecoach Festival debut performance this afternoon, he will perform tunes from the just-released project that’s already achieved critical acclaim.
“Showcases Morgan at his absolute best…could be one of the most celebrated country albums of the year” – All Country News
“Whether he’s crafting a country ballad or riding a ’90s-rock pulse, Morgan’s work is consistently melodic, designed to hook a listener in a heartbeat.” – Billboard Country Update
“Carolina Blue is a star-maker…a studied, hit-laden road to Nashville country stardom” – Tennessean
“Beyond ‘Friends Like That,’ other highlights on the album include the ode to his Carolina roots in the title track, as well as a mix vulnerable songs and up-tempo grooves including the rural anthem ‘Long Ride Home,’ ‘One More Sunset,’ and the breezy, romantic ‘I Know Better,’ and the introspective ‘Kid Myself.’” – Billboard
“The album highlights his ability to craft compelling narratives, whether through heartfelt ballads or energetic, stadium-ready anthems.” – Entertainment Focus
With “stadium-ready written all over him” (All Country News), the compelling entertainer who exudes “undeniable star power” (Country Swag) hits the road to open for Kane Brown, Old Dominion and Riley Green on select dates this summer.
Carolina Blue Tracklisting:
1. Way Out Would (John Morgan, Will Bundy, Randy Montana)
2. Long Ride Home (John Morgan, Tully Kennedy, Kurt Allison, Lydia Vaughan)
3. Friends Like That (feat. Jason Aldean) (John Morgan, Brent Anderson, Will Bundy, Lydia Vaughan)*
4. One More Sunset (John Morgan, Will Bundy, Michael Dulaney)
5. I Know Better (John Morgan, Rocky Block, Will Bundy, Lydia Vaughan)
6. She’ll Always Be (John Morgan, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, Lydia Vaughan)
7. Carolina Blue (John Morgan, Smith Ahnquist, Will Bundy, Jeb Gipson)
8. Kid Myself (John Morgan, Tyler Hubbard, Jordan Schmidt)
9. Crickets (John Morgan, Zach Abend, Lydia Vaughan)
10. A Lot To Say About You (John Morgan, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Edwards)
11. Without ‘Em (John Morgan, Austin Goodloe, Ben Hayslip)
12. How To Get Her (John Morgan, Brent Anderson, Will Bundy, Hunter Phelps)
Produced by John Morgan & Brent Anderson
*Produced by Jason Aldean, Kurt Allison & Tully Kennedy
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) and “in-demand songcrafter” (Billboard), 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. Signed to Aldean’s Night Train Records, his imprint with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, the sought-after, powerhouse artist has made his Grand Ole Opry debut and logged hours on the road opening for Aldean, ERNEST, Riley Green, Nate Smith, Jameson Rodgers and more. Now, his party starter smash “Friends Like That” – featuring Jason Aldean – is his first #1 at country radio as an artist (third as a songwriter), with the Tennessean praising the “live concert favorite whose banjo and steel underpinnings still allow room for a hard-rocking core.” Featuring the striking “Kid Myself,” jaunty “Crickets,” confident “I Know Better” and heartrendingly smooth “Long Ride Home,” John Morgan’s highly anticipated debut album, Carolina Blue, is available now and features his career-first #1 single.