COLONEL ROBERT MORRIS

Also See COL. ROBERT'S NEW WEBSITE http://www.colonelrobert.com


Robert Morris Born on the 12th of December, 1951 to Ray and Mable Morris. The only son out of five children, Robert was named after a distant uncle, thus beginning the value in family tradition. Even though Robert was later known for his drum playing, his daddy had high hopes that his only son would follow his footsteps, and play the guitar. They say that when Robert was born, the doctor didn't slap him on the bottom, his daddy just stuck a guitar in his hand, and Robert came to life.

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His first guitar was bought by his mama. She told him everyday that music would take care of him, if he took care of his music. She was so right. She would bring Robert's guitar to the school house so that he could give concerts. This was back when he was only six! At a private show for the head principal, Robert was paid with a box of pencils, writing tablets, and other supplies. Wow! His first paying gig. One of Robert's first memories of sharing the stage with another artist, was at the same school. Sherry Grooms (who later recorded "I Saw Mommie Kissing Santa Claus") and Robert would perform for the students in the lunch room/assembly hall each morning while the kids would throw money up on the stage. One of Robert's classmates would collect, count, and divide the money, taking a cut for himself. Robert's been giving someone a cut ever since.

Even though he showed a fondness for the guitar, Robert's first love was the drums. He made his first set out of different size cans with metal lids, and various amounts of water in them for the sound pitch. Then he added garbage can lids for cymbals. After his father saw how serious Robert was, he brought Robert's first set of drums. A career was born! Robert would often join his father at the pavilion in Overton park, Memphis, to catch the Opry shows they had on Saturday nights. Well, one special night Robert got to play on the stage with the great Bill Monroe!! Being a close friend of Robert's father, Mr. Bill was proud to do it.


Robert thought he would have the love and support of a large family to help his career, but that was not to be. He lost his first sister when he was just eight. Then his mother was killed when Robert was nine and a half years old. This loss has never left him, though every day that she was alive, she told him to wrap himself in his music, for it will take him to the top. She would then remind him that he was a star, and that he would always walk a different path than the other people he would meet.

Later in life, Robert lost two more of his sisters, taken too soon from this life. The one sister he has left, sadly, does not share a close relationship with him.

Robert's professional career began in the back room juke joints as a drummer playing the best in Memphis blues. He worked with the likes of Ma Rainey, Little Laura Dukes, Big Sam at the old Shanti Inn, as well as many others. One of Robert's fondest memories of Ma Rainey is her ability to take naps on stage in her "King's" chair, between sets while everyone else performed around her. Robert also remembers Little Laura Dukes as the most explosive, dynamic entertainer he has ever known.

During the seventies, after serving time in the Marines, and a short career in rock and roll, Robert joined one of his biggest idols, Charlie Feathers, on the road. Charlie taught Robert the tricks of the trade. Robert also got to share a friendship, and lots of hours in the studio with Bill Glore, at the American Studios in Memphis. A memorable road trip with Charlie found Robert in hot water and facing a long ride home. While at the Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, New Mexico, at the NCO Club, Charlie left Robert unsupervised on stage with the band. (Not a bright idea, since robert was notorious for going crazy on the drums!) Sure enough, at the first cry of "Wipeout", off he went! Upon Charlie's return, he found the drum heads beaten beyond repair, but the audience dancing on the tables and loving it! But that still didn't stop Charlie from giving Robert grief ALL the way home.

After a ten year marriage to his first wife, Vicki, they realized that they were not happy together. Their divorce opened the way for both of them to meet and marry new partners in life. Robert and Irene tied the knot on June 11, 1990. With this union, Robert gained not only four wonderful stepchildren, but also three loving grandchildren, and a nephew who is a great help in his music. Robert realizes that none of this could be possible without the Good Lord above. Robert has experienced more love and support for his musical career than he could have ever hoped for. His wife not only shares his love for the business, but knows the words to his songs better than he does. In 1988, Robert and Irene shared a cameo role in the Finnish movie "Leningrad Cowboys Go America", which aired on Cinemax.


The year 1999 brought sadness to his life once again. The woman who had been as close to a mother as one could, passed away. "Granny", as everyone knew her by, was the best mother-in-law one could ever have. She was Robert's biggest fan, and hardest critic. Once, when Granny and Robert were in a pawn shop, Robert was wishing he could replace his flattop guitar that was pawned to buy a transmission for his truck. Granny, knowing that he did not have enough money, gave him what he needed to buy the Gibson he was looking at. That guitar has given him more songs than any other he has ever owned. And over ten years later, it is still a source of great songs.

Also in 1999, Robert achieved a pinnacle in his career when he was awarded the Pioneer Lifetime Achievement Award from the United Music Heritage Inc. On the same night, he was presented the prestigious Governor's Award from the Governor of Tennessee, Don Sundquist. They now hang on the same wall that the Key to the City of Memphis does. These awards would not be possible without the loving friendship and support of his dear friend and co-writing buddy, Cordell "the rockin' grandma" Jackson, a legend in her own right. She has been, and continues to be, the biggest influence in Robert's career. Every time she visits Robert's house, she goes directly to his Gibson. He has, on many occasions, offered to trade it for her Hagstrm, to no avail.


This brings us to the present, where after working with and learning from professional songwriters, Robert's hard work has paid off, with Crockett Frizzell offering Robert his first major contract, in April of 2000, for the song "Ghostwriter", that Crockett co-wrote with Robert. "Ghostwriter" is the tale of Lefty Frizzell's and Hank Williams, Sr.'s midnight visit to an unsuspecting songwriter to ask that the songwriter finish the songs that they were working on at the time they passed on. They reminded him that the songs that are written today are the ones they left behind. It will be released on Crockett's new album "If it Ain't Lefty, it Ain't Right" scheduled to come out in the fall of 2000.


Robert continues to carry on the legacy of traditional country music that those before him started. And he pledges to stand by his God, his wife and family, and his many friends and fans. Rockabilly, rock and roll, blues, or country, no matter what label you put on him, you can bet that it's pure and honest!

RETURN OF THE TRUCKER'S LAST RIDE

Ten years after "The Trucker's Last Ride" went gold it's finding new life in the form of a music video. The video will be a renewed benchmark in a distinguished songwriting career. Trucker's Last Ride was the first song penned by composer, musician, and artist, Colonel Robert Morris, whose library now totals over 600 pieces of work.

The video for "The Trucker's Last Ride" will be finished and released in October.

We are excited about the new German version of "The Trucker's Last Ride" translated and recorded by "The Mississippian" [1095]

This is the first time The Colonel has approved another version of the trucking song. It is slated for release in Oct. of 2005, at time of rerelease of the original track, and the release of the new video.




Career Notes:


Co-Wrote With Rick Christian The Mississippian Crockett Frizzell Cordell (Rockin' Grandma) Jackson Eva Jo Hensley and many others.

Played with Charlie Feathers John The Baptist Capt'n Blue George Klunkie Cordell Jackson and many others.

Shared Show Billings With Billie Jo Spears Justin Timberlake (before 'n sync) David Frizzell Dale Street (one of the street boys) Mike Crews Nika Vann and many others.

Awards Made a "Colonel" in the State of Tennessee, Aug. 2000

Key To The City of Memphis

Tennessee Governor's Award

International Society Of Poets

Inducted As An International Poet Of merit Nominated Poet Of The Year 2000

Writer Of The Nationally Known Truck Driving Song "Trucker's Last Ride"