How Whitey Morgan Is Fulfilling The Promise of Underground Country
The long suffering plight of the underground country music fan is one of looking for a leader, or at least someone to rally behind . . . and not finding one, or being led down a path of being let down. It’s about looking for an artist who can bust through to the big time, and do so with their principles still in tact, tethered to the authentic roots of the music, and take the dreams of so many wanting to see a meaningful resurrection of the true spirit of country music happen right before their eyes.
It’s about someone who embodies the insurgent spirit of the authentic country music Outlaw without being a relic. It’s someone who speaks to the frustrations of true country fans who have been marginalized and lampooned by the mainstream as out-of-touch and outmoded old farts. It’s about charting a legacy which is inspired by all of the greats of the past, but steers its own unique course instead of becoming a parody of the previous greats. And most importantly, the music has to be there as a resonant force all to itself—a rallying point for the weary and despondent country fan, regardless of whatever else is said or done by the artist on or off the stage.
Once Hank Williams III was the person all of these dreams and pursuits were lopped upon, and he will always be a founding father who awakened a DIY spirit in country music where it had never existed as a bona fide movement before. Hank3 spoke out about what was happening to country in a stark vernacular that steeled the resolve of countless fans, and had Nashville shuddering. But somewhere his spirit for the fight was broken, and he began to pull away.
In the early stages of the underground, Dale Watson was right there beside Hank3 and Wayne “The Train” Hancock as a pioneer, and has since started his Ameripolitan movement, which is an excellent vehicle for supporting the music, but is something apart from the enterprise of taking back country itself.
Chris Stapleton has come along and received incredible recognition by the industry proper for his accomplishments, and he carries the spirit of country music deep in his soul. But Stapleton bears the burden of being a party to countless pop country compositions in a songwriting capacity.
Jason Isbell is a once-in-a-lifetime songwriter whose music is something for the ages, but let’s face, it is better categorized as Americana. Jamey Johnson once held the promise of authentic country right in his hands as he walked away with Song of the Year accolades from the CMA’s, but seems to have gone on hiatus from songwriting for an indefinite period.
And Sturgill Simpson, though incredibly exciting and possibly the greatest independent country success story of all time, openly shirks the role as a country music savior, and even the idea that such a role is needed.
And throughout this entire time, here is Whitey Morgan from Flint, MI doing his thing, not really drawing too terribly much attention outside of the honky tonk he’s playing that night. He’s not really part of that “underground country” scene. He doesn’t find benefit from contacts in the industry. He signs with Bloodshot Records and releases and album in 2010—Bloodshot being the quintessential stepping stone to so many insurgent country careers over the years—but nothing much happens.
But this entire time, like a slow moving thunder roll, Whitey Morgan & The 78’s continue to tour, night in and night out, delivering crisp, throbbing performances every time that leave crowds embedded with Whitey passion in every town they tackle until the crowds are swelling, and the word is spreading about this bearded guy from Flint who refuses to compromise, who has his heart in the right place, and who puts on amazing shows with one badass band behind him. Half a decade goes by, and Whitey doesn’t even release an album. But it almost doesn’t matter.
Next thing you know you look over at his Facebook page and he has 90,000 “likes.” Everywhere you turn you see his “Fuck Pop Country” T-shirts throughout the crowds of independent country shows. It was a slow burn. There was no marquee performance on a television show, no big signing to a major label (Whitey remains completely independent), no big touring opportunity opening for a bigger name, just a big head of momentum that one has to wonder where it will all stop if it ever does. It is the snowball effect, but unlike Shooter Jennings or Hank3, it wasn’t started by a famous name. Unlike Sturgill or Stapleton, it didn’t seem to happen overnight.
Album Review Whitey Morgan & the 78’s “Sonic Ranch”
What did happen recently is that after a protracted wait for new music from the honky tonker, fans got a live album, then an acoustic album, and then the long-awaited new studio album Sonic Ranch, and all of a sudden the huge wood pile Whitey has been stacking all these many years was set afire.
Whitey Morgan is not going to be out there organizing events. He’s not going to be spewing off long-winded monologues from the stage about the ills of country and what should be done. He’s never even cut a song that could be characterized as an anti-Nashville protest song (edit: “If It Ain’t Broke” probably applies, but he hasn’t based his music around bellyaching about bad country). He’s just going to keep playing shows, keep selling “Fuck Pop Country” T-shirts, and remain the guy that allows people to channel all of their anger from what has happened to country music into something positive; something enjoyable. He’ll be that guy, and not feel guilty for it, and not make others feel guilty for putting that burden on his shoulders. And he’ll never quit on them either. And that’s all the leadership underground country ever needed.
October 14, 2015 @ 9:51 am
Very astute article on such a great artist. Whitey does his own thing his own way and a true honkey Tonk hero if one exists. But Trigger would I be wrong in considering ‘If it ain’t broke’ an anti Nashville protest song?
October 14, 2015 @ 10:00 am
Yeah that probably would qualify. I guess what I’m getting at is that he’s not out there building his career off of anti Nashville songs like a Hank3 or Dale Watson. Not that there’s anything wrong with doing that. I just think Whitey lets his music speak for itself.
October 14, 2015 @ 11:55 am
I actually think there is something a little bit wrong with doing that. I mean, if the goal is to get real country music back on the radio you aren’t going to make any inroads with programmers by releasing songs about how much they suck.
October 14, 2015 @ 12:53 pm
I hear you on that. When you make a career off it the schitck gets old.
October 14, 2015 @ 12:54 pm
I can see it both ways. There’s some great country protest songs out there, but at this point there’s so many of them, and there’s so many local bands doing them like they’re the first ever to get the idea or think it’s going to put them on the map that it’s become more cliche than the songs they’re criticizing. If you can say something in a unique way, sort of like what Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen did with “Standards,” then more power to you. Otherwise, you’re just preaching to a choir, and coming across as bitter. That’s probably why Whitey hasn’t released one since 2008. Let the music speak for itself.
October 14, 2015 @ 9:58 am
In my worthless opinion, I still think Whitey is underappreciated. He played a show in Louisiana several months back that had maybe 30 people there, and even that may be stretching it. He acknowledged no one was there, but played as if it was sold out. Took requests from the audience, b.s with the crowd, and got good and loaded while doing it. To me, him and Chris Stapleton are the front runners in bringing back real country music.
October 14, 2015 @ 10:04 am
I think Whitey remains significantly underrated. That’s why I think he has tremendous upside potential even for where he is right now.
October 15, 2015 @ 7:41 am
Great write up btw!! I also feel he is underappreciated. I’ve seen him twice in the Atlanta area, one show was sold-out the other was about half full. But the passion his fans bring to those shows is second to none.
And Whitey does a great job of delivering a powerful performance each time without (as you said) any monologues on the ill’s of the industry or politics. Just good, quality, honky-tonk music. That’s what I like to hear and Whitey delivers that every time. I find myself listening to his music now more than any other artist. I wish he could put new material out every six months because I have already worn out Sonic Ranch.
Cheers to some pub for Whitey and hope his success continues!
October 14, 2015 @ 10:13 am
Really nice article.
October 14, 2015 @ 10:14 am
I like Whitey’s music, but at least one of his record labels – Small Stone – still owes royalties to at least one songwriter – Billy Dee. Whitey should see that this business is taken care of.
October 14, 2015 @ 10:17 am
Great write up on a talented guy / band. I’ve been seeing lately through various social media (when I actually use it) that Whitey and the band are slowly but surely gaining traction and their fan base continues to grow which is the way it should be. And I wanted to bring up the point that, the way I see it, you could really make the same argument for J.P. Harris & The Tough Choices. They may not be quite as well known as Whitey & the 78s yet, but they’re out playing shows and sticking to the authentic country sound and doing things their own way and seem to be getting bigger and bigger. Now, I have no idea if J.P. would have any interest in being a “leader” of the underground because I’ve never met the man but I can definitely see a lot of a parallels between the two bands.
October 14, 2015 @ 12:59 pm
I love J.P. Harris, think he’s a great guy and has great music. The difference between Whitey and J.P. is that Whitey took the plunge and committed to doing 280-something shows a year nearly a decade ago, and J.P. is playing tours between construction jobs like a lot of these guys who have great music, but their careers have never totally taken off. It’s right there for J.P and others, but you have to take the plunge.
October 14, 2015 @ 10:45 am
Nice compliment in the YT comments from Jeanene Van Zandt:
“Dearest Whitey, I was married to Townes and am the Proud owner of this song. I LOVE this! Townes would Love this. It’s AWESOME!”
Whitey’s response:
“Thanks Jeanene! With all the respect in the world, I can’t tell you how wonderful that is to hear. I’ve debated covering “Waitin’ ‘Round to Die” for a long time. It is, without question, one of my favorite songs. Your husband was as good as it gets and with respect in tow, I gave it everything I had recording it. Again, thank you very very very much. WM”
October 14, 2015 @ 10:53 am
Even I don’t think that Sturgill is a savior for Country Music,as a Millennial, I do however consider him my generations shot at Keith Whitley just like I consider Jason Isbell my generations shot at Neil Young. Whitey Morgan I think he’s gonna be the Waylon Jennings of my generation.
October 14, 2015 @ 11:12 am
Whitey is my favorite thing going on in country music today. I love all 3 albums he put out this year. I never get tired of Sonic Ranch. And most of my favorite artist have put out records this year (Strait, Jackson, Willie). He is so underappreciated. I keep a mix CD of his best songs to give to people. I get him on the playlist of every party. Sonic Ranch is so badass. I do not agree that Whitey is our Waylon. He is our Johnny Paycheck unless he starts getting some radio play. His contributions to country music may never be realized. Johnny Paycheck taught George Jones how to sing.
October 14, 2015 @ 11:16 am
I think we tend to want the more romantic “Country Music Jesus” story, that’s why Sturgill got everybody so excited: he just kicked open the doors and proceeded forward guns blazing doing his own thing. We don’t like to have to wait, we want an unknown to show up packing an Ira Louvin belt buckle and a tattoo of Hank Williams Sr’s deathbed Cadillac on his chest, plug in a telecaster and record an album called “Luke Bryan is Overrated” and not only do we assume something like that will happen, but that this mysterious figure will appeal to the masses through his “Authenticity” and “talent” and that the bros will just stand there spluttering about evolution until Country Radio finally implodes on itself. BUT I think Cledus T. Judd reviving Hank Sr as Hankenstein is a lot more likely than what I just described, simply because it will never happen. And we’re so busy looking around for it to happen that it’s real easy to miss the contributions of guys like Whitey Morgan. (I still have the new Singletary, and Whitey’s live AND Sonic Ranch albums on my want list, planning to buy very soon. Boland too.)
October 14, 2015 @ 1:11 pm
I agree. Part of the reason people like Hank3 and Sturgill have shirked certain distinctions is because fans were so eager to lump all of this responsibility they didn’t want on their shoulders. With Hank3 specifically, it came to a point where everyone was trying to use his name to get ahead, and they were dragging him down in the process. Same thing happened with Shooter to an extent. So they had to back away.
What is different about Whitey is he understands that he is an entertainer. Some artists get so swept up in the idea that they’re artists so they have to do what they want and not listen to the desire of fans. This mindset can sometimes lead to artists becoming their own worst enemies, almost like they train wreck their careers because they feel that’s the most artistic thing they could do. Whitey has probably played “Bad News” 2,000 times at this point, and he does it every single time with the same enthusiasm and power. He expresses himself too, but gives the fans what they want, and isn’t selfish about the opportunity music has given him.
October 15, 2015 @ 7:10 am
Who would you say is a good example of being selfish with the opportunity music has given them & therefore train wrecked their career by being an artist?
October 15, 2015 @ 7:32 am
Townes Van Zant comes to mind.
October 15, 2015 @ 8:13 am
How so?
October 15, 2015 @ 9:04 am
Things like choosing a transient life style. Suffering for his art, if you will. I remember a Steve Earle interview where he described how Townes would seem to shoot himself in the foot just about any time he had a chance for some material success.
October 15, 2015 @ 9:40 am
I would say Jamey Johnson and Hank3 and some of the other folks I named above would be good candidates for that distinction in their own ways. It doesn’t mean they haven’t done great stuff and won’t do great stuff in the future, but they had an opportunity to really make a mark for true country, and as soon as they got to the top of the mountain, they pulled back in my opinion, and I’m not really sure why. As Jack pointed out, Townes would be another good example.
Vincent Van Gogh cut off his ear so he could suffer and make great art. The legacy of Western art is that you have to struggle to succeed to where you have artists emulating Townes’ self-destructive lifestyle because they think it will make them better. In Eastern culture, they believe great art comes from health and balance. You look at an artist like Jason Isbell, and that’s what you see in action. I’m not saying either path is right or wrong, but I think the mindset of some artists is they must fail or they’re not true artists. I’m just not sure I believe that.
October 14, 2015 @ 12:08 pm
the best show i have seen in a long time was with him and Cody jinks If either one of them are in your area they are a must see
October 15, 2015 @ 4:30 am
I agree went to see Cody Jinks in Minneapolis and got turned on to Whitey great time
October 14, 2015 @ 1:49 pm
Plain and simple….Thank God for Whitey Morgan AND The 78’s ( Brett, Joey, Alex, Tony and Tony). The Best damn Band in existence today!
October 14, 2015 @ 6:58 pm
Great write up! All of Whiteys records have that raw, unpolished sound that i really believe sets him apart from all others in the game right now.Sonic Ranch keeps juggling with Stapletons Traveler and Dwights Second hand Heart for my top album of the year so far, but I do believe Sonic Ranch has had the best lasting appeal for me. Never seen the guy live but would love too someday, if his live record is any indication, then its a must see im sure.
October 14, 2015 @ 11:47 pm
Trigger,
SCM turned me onto Whitey about a year ago. I went to see him a couple months later, and like most here, was blown away big time. Got Sonic Ranch, the shirt, etc. He’s coming back next month and I already have tix. So thank you for that.
The only time I gave the band a little side-eye was this: both times I went to buy tix (at different venues), I saw he charges $75 a person for a meet n greet. Hmm. Make of that what you will.
But everybody’s got to make their nut. He keeps his Reg tix affordable and I’m just there to see the band and revel n the music for 2 hours. So all good.
October 15, 2015 @ 12:01 pm
Great read Trigger. I have been listening to, and going to see Whitey for a cpl years now and it does not get any better. I could go on and on but wont. People need to go see him live to appreciate it. His originals are great and his covers are even better. Heading to Rinky Dinks Roadhouse in Amity PA on Sat to see him again with special guest Tony Martinez. People should check out Tony too…..real good stuff.
October 15, 2015 @ 8:26 pm
Usually when an artist releases an album with 4 covers you feel ripped off.I didnt feel that way with Whitey’s latest release.I think he really treats other artists material with respect.
October 16, 2015 @ 7:51 am
Saw Whitey and Cody Jinks in Omaha. I came away far more impressed with Cody. Whitey was good, but spent way to much time talking about how badass he is instead of showing it. Guitar playing was poor at best, rest of the band was solid. For anybody fortunate enough to see Waylon in his prime, there were moments, (similar to seeing Shooter in early 2000’s with the 357’s) where you’d say “dang, this takes me back to that time”. But with Whitey it felt more imitated than genuine. I believe he drinks like a mad man and takes no shit but it was all about that. It became predictable.
Got to see Cody Jinks as a headliner a few months later and was blown away for a second time…. the voice, lyrics… he’s got it but he needs more of an edge to the sound but the rest is there. Left me hoping hoping for a breakthrough.
Saw Sturgil within a month or so of Whitey, I’d put Whitey ahead of him. To grassy, no edge. Good band good voice that’s where it ends.
There is never going to be another Waylon but that sound would still pack them in if it can be done right.
October 18, 2015 @ 4:23 pm
Trig,
Surprised Jackson Taylor & the Sinners are absent from this article? I would think they embody that outlaw country spirit that Whitey & the others you mention possess. Not to mention, they put on a fantastic live show & give it their all.
I saw them earlier this year: paid $12 and they played 2.5 hours straight. After the show, took pictures, signed autographs and were incredibly gracious. They treat their fans as friends.
October 18, 2015 @ 6:20 pm
No disrespect meant to Jackson Taylor & The Sinners at all. I agree they embody the Outlaw spirit, but I’m not sure they fly in the same stratospheres as the other artists mention. That’s not a commentary on their music at all, it’s more about trajectory of careers.
October 19, 2015 @ 6:26 pm
Reclaiming country doesn’t mean owning music row anymore it means that people that are in NEED of real soul where to find it. In ALOT of ways You and I are the saviors of country music. Great music has always been around. It’s about accessibility It’s up to us to share and talk about it. That’s where we come in.
Triggers the man
Long live Sturgill
October 31, 2015 @ 1:03 am
Trig, I must thank you again for turning me (and countless others) onto WMO78 awhile back. I just went to see him tonight for the third time…and it just gets better and better. Setlist was very similar (except they did a faithful version of Searching For A Rainbow by MTB) but I just appreciate the picking and harmonies more each time. Best money I’ve spent in a bit, and I picked up that damned orange vinyl of Sonic Ranch. OK, Isbell/Sturgill/Brandy wasn’t just a kick in the nuts either! They may be the best hard country live act on the road right now. Thank you!