Redneck superstar
Rising country singer stays grounded
Published: August 22, 2007
Last Modified: August 23, 2007 at 12:20 PM
Put the word "redneck" in a song and it lights up the Nashville charts like a grease fire in a trailer park.
Craig Morgan learned that with his 2005 hit single "Redneck Yacht Club."
But he's hardly a bandwagon jumper: His country boy credentials are in order.
Raised in rural Tennessee? Check.
Hunts and fishes? Check.
Drives a tractor? Check.
His 10-year-old can skin animals? Check.
"I remember growing up hearing 'Country Boy Can Survive' and thinking 'That's us, that's my family,' " Morgan said on the phone from a tour stop in Springfield, Mo. "I don't need society to live or to take care of my family."
His latest single -- the tear-stained cancer anthem "Tough" -- is No. 11 on the country charts. But this father of five identifies himself more as Dad than as a country star. When he's home he still takes out the garbage, and when he's on the road, he usually helps the roadies unload the trailer.
It's possible he plays the reluctant celebrity because he came to the industry much later than most.
Now 42, Morgan served in the U.S. Army for more than a decade, which included taking part in the 1989 invasion of Panama. All the while, he sang, wrote songs and won military talent contests. Eventually his buddies convinced him to pursue a career in Nashville.
Morgan's self-titled debut was released in 2000. Since then, he's become known as a storyteller. He sings about appreciating family and small blessings in songs such as "Almost Home," "That's What I Love About Sunday" and "Little Bit of Life."
Morgan hasn't forgotten his military family. He's toured to Iraq and Afghanistan five times in the past six years.
"It's odd at times because I feel like I should be the one in uniform," he said. "It's very rewarding to entertain the men and women of the armed forces, and I feel like maybe I'm giving them a little bit of a break that they very much deserve."
When asked how he stays so grounded in the increasingly glitzy country music industry, Morgan replied: "Well, ma'am, I go home. That's all it takes."
? Find Play reporter Sarah Henning at adn.com/contact/shenning or call 257-4323.
Craig Morgan
When: 7:30 p.m. Monday
Where: Borealis Theatre, Alaska State Fairgrounds, Palmer
How much: $15 general admission, $25 reserved (includes fair admission)
Tickets: 562-4800, www. ticketmaster.com, or day of the show at the fairgrounds' Plaza Box Office
Web: www.craigmorgan.com, www.myspace.com/craig morgan
And a whole concert of Alaska talent
When you're done treating your body less like a temple and more like a nuclear-waste dump site for the day, it's time to cuddle up to a lukewarm beer and check out the Alaska State Fair's live music.
The Palmer scene is usually a mix of stale nostalgia acts, some decent up-and-comers with little name recognition and a gem or two. This year's lineup doesn't disappoint -- any more than usual.
Here's the skinny on who's coming to shake the Borealis Theatre stage this week. (All tickets include fair admission.)
-- Sarah Henning
Play reporter
Cheap Trick
When: 7:30 p.m. today
10 words or less: Thanks for the prom theme. Love, 1988.
Sing along to: "I Want You to Want Me," "The Flame," "Surrender," "Dream Police," "Voices"
Soundtrack for: Losing your virginity in your boyfriend's Camaro.
Modern equivalent: Plain White T's
Recently in the news for: After writing the theme song for "The Colbert Report," guitarist Rick Nielsen took part in the show's buzzed-about shred off with Peter Frampton and The Decemberists.
Cost: $28-$38
Web: www.cheaptrick.com
The Charlie Daniels Band
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
10 words or less: Daddy, why is Santa yelling about immigrants?
Sing along to: "The Devil Went Down to Georgia," "The South's Gonna Do It Again," "In America," "Drinkin' My Baby Goodbye"
Soundtrack for: Daniels may be born again, but his tunes are still for those nights where you want to down Old Milwaukee until you puke, rinse and repeat.
Modern equivalent: Gretchen Wilson, Toby Keith
Recently in the news for: In June, the band put out a live disc recorded while it performed for troops in Iraq.
Cost: $25-$35
Family Force 5
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday
10 words or less: They say "Christian crunk rock." We say "no such thing."
Sing along to: "Kountry Gentleman," "Love Addict"
Soundtrack for: Getting your God on. Misspelling words to be cool.
Modern equivalent: The guitarist's stage name is Chap Stique. There is no equivalent for this, except possibly on Sesame Street.
Recently in the news for: Just wrapping up a stint on Warped Tour.
Cost: $18-$28
Web: www.familyforce5.com
30 Years of Alaska Music
When: 3-9 p.m. Sunday
10 words or less: Mr. Whitekeys, Robin Hopper, Matt Hammer, Doc Schultz, Stu Schulman, et al.
Sing along to: "Home, Sweet Homer," "The Liar Sleeps Tonight," "Homesteader's Stomp"
Soundtrack for: Soaking up the Alaska wilderness. Bellying up at Eski-Moe's.
Modern equivalent: The cast of "My Name is Earl."
Recently in the news for: They're your neighbors. Ask 'em yourself.
Cost: $15
Web: www.robinhopper.com, www.heymatt.com
Tom Rigney and Flambeau
When: 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday
10 words or less: A Harvard-trained Zydeco fiddler from San Francisco. Why not?
Sing along to: "Party Gras," "Moonlight on the Bayou," "Guinness and Gumbo"
Soundtrack for: Stompin', New Orleans style. Skinning alligators.
Modern equivalent: Cajun sounds like these are timeless.
Recently in the news for: Not a whole heck of a lot.
Cost: Free
Web: www.tomrigney.com
