Whitey Morgan to Play The Mother Church of Country Music
One of the ways that you can distinguish when an independent artist is finding worthy traction and wide reception for their music is when they receive a berth to play the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Known affectionately as the Mother Church of Country Music, it’s the original home of the Grand Ole Opry, and one of the most revered and hallowed concert halls in the world.
Joining artists such as Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell, Margo Price, and Cody Jinks, now Michigan native, California convert, and hard-charging traditional country artist Whitey Morgan and his backing band The 78’s have been bestowed the opportunity to play the Mother Church this summer. The show will be on August 25th, and will feature openers Alex Williams, and Tennessee Jet.
Originally from Flint, Michigan, Whitey Morgan first started hitting the road in 2005, and quickly established himself as one of the most energetic performers in the underground. For a decade, Whitey Morgan and 78’s logged more miles, and played more shows that most any outfit in country music or beyond. After a short period on Bloodshot Records, Whitey Morgan released 2015’s Sonic Ranch, named for the famous recording complex just outside of El Paso, TX where the record was cut. A new album from Whitey is expected at some point later in 2018.
It has been a slow and steady rise for Whitey Morgan over many years. As other independent country artists have begun to receive wider recognition, so has Whitey, who aside from a few others in the underground, surpasses many in time served in the service of country music.
Tickets for Whitey Morgan at the Ryman Auditorium will go on sale Friday, July 29th at 10AM.
June 26, 2018 @ 11:22 am
I saw this in a message from Whitey’s merch e-mail address. At first, I thought maybe he was opening for someone, but no. Very cool.
June 26, 2018 @ 11:27 am
This is fantastic. Whitey Morgan and the 78’s more than deserve the recognition. One of the hardest working groups around, and now they are anointed.
June 26, 2018 @ 11:53 am
If you’re not familiar with Whitey Morgan and the 78s, do yourself a favor and check them out.
Their self-titled album and Sonic Ranch are pretty damn close to honky tonk perfection, and they’re somehow even better live.
June 26, 2018 @ 12:59 pm
For my money, and while just an opinion, Whitey is the absolute best doing what he does. I’m not sure there’s any one in his league. Sometimes I scratch my head and can’t figure out why this guy isn’t huge. He is in my book, anyway. And I reckon a few others. The intro to “Bad News,” while from way back in ’10 or something, is so dead on right. I play it for anyone who will listen. For lack of a more original line, he’s just bad ass. And then he goes and does Grandpa’s Guitar. Dude is firing on all cylinders.
June 26, 2018 @ 1:19 pm
The 78’s are the tightest live band in honky tonk
June 27, 2018 @ 11:30 am
I saw them a couple summers ago in OKC with Cody Jinks and there was a third band that opened the show that was amazing as well. One helluva night of live music!
June 26, 2018 @ 1:39 pm
Whitey represents everything that country music, or Honky Tonk music could be if it was given the chance on National radio. I cannot imagine anyone who calls themselves a fan of “country” could hear Whitey play, and not be blown away. Seriously. I think even fans of top 40 mainstream country would be impressed by Whitey Morgan if they could just hear him. They probably never will, which is a shame. Because a guy like Whitey could change the game even more so then a more polarizing figure like Jason Isbell or Sturgill Simpson. Whitey is just full-on, in your face Honky Tonk country the way it used to be. There’s no pretense there’s no preaching or searching for meaning. There’s no proselytizing. it’s just hard core country.
June 26, 2018 @ 6:41 pm
They’ve been the best hard country band around for years now, nice to see them finally getting this opportunity.
June 26, 2018 @ 9:58 pm
As much of a fan as I am of guys like Sturgill, Cody and Tyler, no one in the world is more outlaw country than Whitey Morgan and the 78’s. A live show makes me feel like I’m at a Waylon show in 1971.
June 27, 2018 @ 4:56 am
Amen.
June 26, 2018 @ 10:03 pm
Nope, no more fans. I don’t want everyone to start liking this amazing artist, then next thing you know ticket prices will be sky high. Don’t go see him, I like the incredible shows that they preform without all the bandwagon folk that think Tractor Rap, Stadium Country, or Southern Synthesizer music is worth a damn. I enjoy the clear and moving true country music they produce with true fans. Keep up the good work boys, it is appreciated by the REDneck, WHITEtrash, BLUEcolar listeners.
June 27, 2018 @ 10:24 am
Couldn’t disagree more. Nothing will change for the better on country radio and music row if artists like whitey can easily be ignored
June 26, 2018 @ 10:26 pm
Very well deserved. Whitey kicks ass.
June 27, 2018 @ 4:27 am
Love Whitey Morgan & The 78”s, Me & The Whiskey is one of my favorite tracks that has come out in recent years. Hopefully I can catch a show some day soon but he doesn’t get up this way very often.
June 27, 2018 @ 6:40 am
I once saw him on a weeknight in a saloon in my hometown. The turnout was disappointing, only 30 people at most, and I figured he might phone it in. Instead, he delivered what is hands down the greatest show I have ever seen in my life.
June 27, 2018 @ 6:46 am
Same here. Plus, Cody Jinks opened!
June 27, 2018 @ 6:45 am
Must be a lot going on in the city that weekend. Hotels within walking distance to the Ryman are either sold out, or running about $450-500 Saturday night, per hotels.com. Holy crap, gonna widen my search!
June 27, 2018 @ 8:49 am
Get a cheaper hotel in the South Nashville/Antioch and catch an Uber.
I live in Antioch and it’s not too expensive to take an Uber to the Ryman from here on most days/nights.
June 27, 2018 @ 11:12 am
Thanks, BenBen, and Linda. I forget about VRBO. Wanted to stay right in the heart of city, but looks like outskirts and Uber will be my friends that weekend!
June 27, 2018 @ 10:04 am
Check out VRBO and Air BnB also. East Nashville is pretty close by, and is a cool hipster area. Still need an Uber though. We stayed at a VRBO about a mile from downtown and paid like $5 for an Uber. Our friend drove from his house in Nashville, and paid $25 to park FOR THREE HOURS. Getting a cheap hotel far from downtown and paying even $30 x 2 for an Uber still beats downtown hotel rates.
June 27, 2018 @ 10:45 am
I saw him headline a bar right up the street in here in suburban Chicago to about 800. Well actually The Brauerhouse is a little bigger than the bar it’s connected to. A life changing event for me. A “light bulb” moment. Where I said “oh man THAT’S what they’re talking about!”
He’s opening for Cody here in Peoria, IL on the 21st at the Tailgate N’ Tallboys festival. It’s 3 hours away but I’m going to try………….
June 29, 2018 @ 7:28 am
Fifteen minutes in, Whitey kicks it up a notch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Sj2rBG6d8s
Yeah man.
June 30, 2018 @ 6:00 pm
Thanks for that video. I just got a chance to watch it. That was a great night! Maybe Cody will come there……….. I can dream……….
July 9, 2018 @ 11:02 am
Just found out he’s playing here at The Forge in Joliet on July 18, 3 days before the Tailgate N’ Tallboys fest! That’s an easy one, 45 min away. Can’t wait.