Morgan Wallen: A Biography of the Country Star Who Broke Records and Barriers

Morgan Wallen is one of the most successful and influential country music artists of the 21st century. His albums and songs have topped the charts, broken records, and earned him multiple awards and nominations. He has also faced controversies, challenges, and criticism for his personal and professional choices. But who is Morgan Wallen, and how did he become the superstar he is today? In this blog post, we will explore his life story, his musical journey, and his impact on the country genre and beyond.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Morgan Cole Wallen was born on May 13, 1993, in Sneedville, Tennessee. He grew up in a small town with a population of less than 2,000 people. His father was a preacher who loved hard rock music, while his mother was a teacher who listened to contemporary Christian music. Morgan inherited their musical tastes and talents, and started singing in church when he was only three years old. He also learned to play the piano and the violin at a young age.

Morgan had a passion for baseball and dreamed of playing in college. He was a pitcher and a shortstop for his high school team, and received several scholarship offers. However, his baseball career ended abruptly when he injured his elbow during his senior year. He underwent a surgery that left him with a metal plate and six screws in his arm.

Devastated by the loss of his athletic aspirations, Morgan turned to music as an outlet. He taught himself how to play the guitar and began writing songs. He was influenced by country artists like Keith Whitley and Eric Church, as well as rock bands like Breaking Benjamin and Nickelback, and rap stars like Lil Wayne. He developed a distinctive style that blended country, pop, rock, and hip-hop elements.

The Voice and Beyond

In 2014, Morgan auditioned for the sixth season of The Voice, a popular singing competition show on NBC. He sang "Collide" by Howie Day and impressed Usher, who turned his chair and became his coach. Morgan advanced to the second round of battles, where he switched teams to Adam Levine after Usher eliminated him. However, he was eliminated again in the playoffs, ending his run on the show.

Despite not winning The Voice, Morgan gained valuable exposure and experience from the show. He also met Sergio Sánchez, a vocal coach and a member of the rock band Atom Smash. The two became friends and collaborators, and moved to Nashville to pursue their musical careers. They formed a short-lived band called Morgan Wallen & Them Shadows, and released an EP called Stand Alone in 2015.

Morgan soon caught the attention of Big Loud Records, an independent label founded by producer Joey Moi. Moi had worked with artists like Florida Georgia Line, Jake Owen, and Nickelback, and saw potential in Morgan's voice and style. He signed him to the label in 2016 and helped him craft his debut single "The Way I Talk". The song was a catchy ode to Morgan's Southern roots and accent, and it reached No. 30 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

If I Know Me

In 2017, Morgan released three more singles: "Up Down", featuring Florida Georgia Line; "Whiskey Glasses"; and "Chasin' You". All three songs became hits on country radio and streaming platforms, with "Up Down" reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 2018. These songs were part of Morgan's debut album If I Know Me, which was released in April 2018.

If I Know Me showcased Morgan's versatility as a singer and songwriter. The album featured upbeat party anthems like "Happy Hour" and "Redneck Love Song", as well as heartfelt ballads like "Little Rain" and "Had Me By Halftime". It also included collaborations with Chris Stapleton on "Cover Me Up" (a cover of Jason Isbell's song) and Diplo on "Heartless" (a crossover EDM track).

The album received positive reviews from critics and fans alike. It was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2019 ACM Awards, where Morgan also won New Male Artist of the Year. It also broke records for its longevity on the charts: it spent over two years on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart (the longest for any debut album), peaking at No. 1 in January 2020.

Dangerous: The Double Album

In 2020, Morgan announced that he was working on his second album Dangerous: The Double Album. The album was originally planned to be released in November 2020, but it was delayed after Morgan was involved in a controversy that resulted in him being dropped from his scheduled performance on Saturday Night Live. Morgan had violated the COVID-19 protocols by partying without a mask in Alabama, and he apologized for his actions on social media.

Morgan eventually made his SNL debut in December 2020, where he performed two songs from the album: "7 Summers" and "Still Goin Down". He also appeared in a sketch that poked fun at his scandal, featuring Jason Bateman, Pete Davidson, and Bowen Yang as his future selves who warned him about the consequences of his behavior.

Dangerous: The Double Album was finally released on January 8, 2021. The album consisted of 30 tracks, divided into two discs. The first disc featured more traditional country songs, while the second disc experimented with more pop and rock influences. The album included collaborations with Ben Burgess, Ernest, Hardy, Chris Stapleton, and Eric Church.

The album was a massive commercial success, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with 265,000 equivalent album units. It stayed at No. 1 for 10 consecutive weeks, becoming the first album to do so since Whitney Houston's Whitney in 1987. It also became the first country album to spend its first seven weeks at No. 1 in the chart's history. It was certified 6x platinum by the RIAA in August 2021.

The album also spawned several hit singles, such as "More Than My Hometown", "7 Summers", "Wasted on You", "Sand in My Boots", and "Somebody's Problem". All of these songs reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, with "More Than My Hometown" and "Wasted on You" reaching No. 1. The album also had all of its 30 tracks enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart at once, breaking the record for the most songs by an artist on the chart at one time.

Controversy and Comeback

In February 2021, Morgan faced another controversy that threatened to derail his career. A video surfaced online that showed him using a racial slur outside his home in Nashville. The video sparked outrage and backlash from fans, fellow artists, and industry figures. Morgan issued an apology, saying that he was "embarrassed and sorry" for his words.

The fallout from the incident was swift and severe. Morgan's label Big Loud Records suspended his contract indefinitely. His music was removed from hundreds of radio stations across the country. His songs and albums were also taken down from several streaming platforms and playlists. He was disqualified from competing or performing at several award shows, including the ACM Awards, the CMA Awards, and the CMT Music Awards.

However, despite the controversy, Morgan's music continued to sell and stream well. His fans rallied behind him and supported him with online campaigns and billboards. His album Dangerous: The Double Album remained at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for four more weeks after the scandal broke, bringing its total to 10 weeks. His songs also climbed back up on the charts and playlists.

In April 2021, Morgan broke his silence and posted a video on social media, where he updated his fans on his personal and professional situation. He said that he had been working on himself and seeking professional help for his issues. He also thanked his fans for their loyalty and love, but asked them not to defend or downplay his actions. He said that he was taking some time away from the spotlight to focus on his growth and healing.

In July 2021, Morgan made his first public appearance since the controversy at Luke Bryan's concert in Nashville. He joined Bryan on stage to perform "More Than My Hometown" and "Whiskey Glasses". He received a warm welcome from the crowd, who cheered and sang along with him.

In August 2021, Morgan announced that he was resuming his touring plans with his One Night At A Time World Tour. The tour kicked off in New Zealand and Australia in March 2023, before returning to North America with record-breaking stops at stadiums like Ford Field in Detroit and Ohio Stadium in Columbus. The tour features a rotating lineup of guests like Bailey Zimmerman, Jelly Roll, Jon Pardi, Lainey Wilson, Nate Smith, Bryan Martin, Lauren Watkins and Ella Langley.

Morgan also revealed that he was extending the tour into 2024 with 10 additional stadium shows, including a stop at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC, on July 18, 2024. He said that he was grateful for the opportunity to perform for his fans again and share his music with them.

Impact and Legacy

Morgan Wallen is one of the most influential country music artists of his generation. He has redefined the genre with his unique blend of traditional and modern sounds, appealing to a wide range of audiences across different demographics and tastes. He has also pushed the boundaries of country music with his collaborations with artists from other genres like Diplo, Lil Durk, Pink.