After toying with the lyrics to the Top 10 song while touring in December, Morgan’s co-producer and engineer set up portable recording gear in the bathroom of Room 418 at the Holiday Inn Express in Kennesaw, Ga. Four days later, the bathroom version of “Bonfire” was on its way to radio.

Ingenuity is just one of the traits Morgan learned in the military, where he served for 10 years with the 101^st and 82^nd Airborne Divisions – including combat in Panama. Morgan’s musical career actually began while he was stationed in Korea, where he won a songwriting contest. That success inspired him to pursue a career as a musician when he separated from the military in 1996.

There were other jobs along the road to stardom – EMT, construction worker, sheriff’s deputy, Walmart employee, all of which influenced the songs he writes and contributes to his reputation today as a “regular Joe.” But it was Morgan’s military experience that inspired one of his first singles, “Paradise,” in which he sings: “Once I was a Soldier, not afraid to die. Now I’m a little older, not afraid to cry. Every day I’m thankful, just to be alive.”

Morgan’s Mission
Morgan’s gratitude extends to a new generation of warriors. The Grand Ole Opry member carves time out of his busy schedule to perform for the troops. “I plan my touring year, pretty much every year, with room set aside in the schedule to visit our troops overseas,” Morgan said. “That’s a priority for me, and everybody on my team knows that, so even though it often means turning down some lucrative things back home, it’s not a negotiable thing for me.”

In October 2009 Morgan toured with fellow country singer Chris Young and Nan Kelley, host of Great American Country. The group, which included two wounded warriors returning to Iraq for the first time, visited military bases and hospitals in Iraq and Germany. In December Morgan entertained troops stationed in Guam and Okinawa.

G.I. Jobs caught up to Morgan shortly after he returned from the USO holiday tour and talked about his military background, his musical career and his current tour with Carrie Underwood.

G.I. Jobs: Your dad was a bass player in a country band. Did you ever play on stage with him as a child or teenager?

Morgan: Yes, at Jingo’s Jamboree.

G.I. Jobs: Who were your musical influences when you were growing up?

Morgan: I listened to a little bit of everything -- country, rock, urban. I was really into the classics, liked everything from the Commodores to Vern Gosdin and Jon Conley. Have to say that Jon was my favorite, and having him be the one to induct me as a member of the Grand Ole Opry was the ultimate music dream come true. 

G.I. Jobs: You worked as an EMT in rural Tennessee for awhile after graduating high school. What attracted you to that profession?

Morgan: I’ve always enjoyed feeling like I was doing something good for others through my work.

G.I. Jobs: Why did you join the military? Why the Army?

Morgan: I was kind of a wild kid, not in trouble or anything, but really not sure what direction to take after high school. The Army seemed like an amazing opportunity to serve my country while also being on a grand adventure.

G.I. Jobs: After you separated from the Army, you worked a variety of jobs, among them a construction worker, deputy sheriff and security guard. How do these experiences influence your music and the stories you tell through your songs?

Morgan: Anybody who knows me knows that my family comes first. Always has, and always will. In those days, I was doing whatever jobs I could to best provide for my wife and our children. Those were challenging, but fun days, and I got some great varied experiences I would never have any other way. I got to meet all kinds of people, and observe people’s interactions with each other in so many situations. Having that kind of perspective, I think, gives me a real-person relatability and understanding of life and its joys and challenges. That comes through in my music, and in the way I live my life every day.

G.I. Jobs: How has your military experience influenced your career as a musician?

Morgan: In every way. First, I got into music when I was in a songwriter competition when I was in the Army. I won that, and after I got the feedback from that I started to think seriously that I should try to make my hobby into something I could actually do for a living. Second, my military experience gives me a unique perspective on the life situations I mentioned earlier, but in this case those are life-and-death situations, and tough things like families being separated by deployment. I have a first-hand understanding of those things, and I think the attitudes that come from that are really prevalent in my music.

G.I. Jobs: Your Web site biography opens with a story about an encounter with Minnie Pearl in after singing the national anthem in Nashville. Where were you singing when she heard you? Did you know who she was? How did her comment make you feel?

Morgan: I was on a school trip to Cheekwood Botanical Gardens. Miss Minnie Pearl is a legend and I definitely knew who she was. I was so proud that she noticed me…it was so neat for someone that important to compliment me. But at the time I didn’t think that I would end up being a singer because of it.

G.I. Jobs: How did it feel seeing her photo more than 20 years later as you were about to take the stage at the Grand Ole Opry for the first time?

Morgan: It was extremely emotional…like this was part of a divine plan.

G.I. Jobs: What went through your mind on Sept. 18, 2008, when you were inducted by John Conlee as a member of the Grand Ole Opry?

Morgan: Other than the births of my children, that was the proudest moment of my life. It was so emotional, so overwhelming, what with all the history, and it was tough, you know, because when they induct you, you also have to perform on the Opry stage right then and there. Trying to keep it all together and concentrate on celebrating the moment with a solid performance, well that was a lot. I was relieved to get through it and celebrate afterwards with the Opry people and all of my friends and relatives who came in for the ceremony. What an incredible night!

G.I. Jobs: Do you now consider yourself a country music star?

Morgan: I don’t focus at all on the “celebrity” aspect of all of this. Professionally, I consider myself a singer, a songwriter, a performer, and an Opry member. I’ve been very fortunate to be able to follow my calling into music and make a great living doing what I love. I feel so blessed when I hear from fans about how my music has impacted their lives, and that’s the best reward. Well, that, and the opportunities all of this has allowed me to provide for my family.

G.I. Jobs: You have a reputation as a consummate family man. How do you balance the demands of touring with spending time with your family?

Morgan: Everybody in my organization knows that I’m the family-first guy. When we start planning my year, I go into that initial meeting with my personal calendar, with dates already blacked out for things like kids’ graduations, college visits, soccer tournaments, all that stuff. We fit the work things in around the non-negotiable family stuff.

G.I. Jobs: In light of your success, how do stay connected to the “regular Joes?”

Morgan: (Laughs) I AM a “regular Joe,” I just do music for a living! But, when I’m not doing music, I’m the guy next to you at the bike race, the guy in line behind you at Walmart, the guy with his truck bed full of trash to haul to the dump, the guy who is battling the bugs in his garden, the guy who’s trying to round up all his kids, all that.

G.I. Jobs: Is it true that before some concerts you jump your Kawasaki motocross motorcycle across the stage?

Morgan: I have done that, yes. I have even lined up my entire band and jumped over them. What can I say???????

G.I. Jobs: What is one thing about you that would surprise most people – even those who know you?

Morgan: I’m really interested in forensic science, and working (slowly) toward a degree in that field.

G.I. Jobs: Are you working on any projects now that might interest your fans?

Morgan: I’m going out on tour with Carrie Underwood this year, and that’s going to be an amazing show. I can’t wait to see all the fans out on the road this time out, and it’s going to be great to be able to see more of them than ever, since these are arena shows.

I’m also ALWAYS working on new music, so yes, there is a new album coming at some point.

G.I. Jobs: You’ve logged six trips to entertain the troops, both at home and overseas. Why do you devote so much time to those in the Armed Forces?

Morgan: Since I was deployed myself, I know first-hand how important these visits are to the servicemen and women over there. We would really look forward to the performers coming in, whoever they were, because it was about as close as you could get to an actual visit from home. That was what those people were to us, like friends and family coming to see us. Since I know that it means so much, I can’t imagine not doing it.

G.I. Jobs: As a combat veteran, did you ever feel you were in danger entertaining the troops in Iraq or Afghanistan?

Morgan: There is always an element of danger in a war zone, but I never felt fear…we are surrounded by the world’s best military and they take extremely great care with providing protection for civilians who journey over to visit them.

G.I. Jobs: You participated in a Stars and Stripes tour of Iraq and Germany in November. What was different this time?

Morgan: The escorting of the two wounded warriors back to the site where they were attacked. The emotion of the situation and the undying loyalty to our country these men showed should be experienced by every American. The trip was filmed for a GAC special which captures so much of the trip, but nothing can replace the impact of being there with them.

G.I. Jobs: Do you have any advice for service members who are preparing to transition into a civilian career?

Morgan: Take advantage of all the resources provided to you by the military. They have great relationships with corporations in America. These companies are seeking disciplined personnel and love working with former Soldiers.