John Morgan’s Debut Album ‘Carolina Blue’ Features No. 1 Hit With Jason Aldean

John Morgan has an impressive track record as a songwriter with cuts by Thomas Rhett, Dustin Lynch, and others, as well as two No. 1 hits for Jason Aldean (“Trouble With A Heartbreak” and Aldean’s duet with Carrie Underwood, “If I Didn’t Love You).

But Morgan is also a singer and accomplished musician, and has just released his own album as an artist. He’s off to an exceptional start as one of his singles, a song called “Friends Like That” featuring Jason Aldean, has already made it to No. 1.

Morgan, who spent the past five years writing hits for other artists, says it’s been a time to build his skills as a songwriter, as well as figure out his own style as an artist.

“I’ve enjoyed writing for other people and embracing the writing side of things, but also, while maybe not figuring out what my own sound was, I was able to figure out what it wasn’t. I was able to look at different things and say, this is cool, but if it were me, I would do it this way.”

Along the way, he also filed away ideas he thought would suit him down the road as a singer or performer. Fast forward to now, the North Carolina-native has a collection of 12 songs, all of which he co-wrote, for his debut album Carolina Blue.

The title track gives offers a glimpse into his background. Morgan grew up in the small town of Sylva, nestled deep in the Greater Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.,

“That song’s pretty special to me,” he says. “It gives you a little insight into what my home life was like for me, and still is, in a lot of ways. I haven’t been home in a while, but I can tell you what’s going on there right now.”

Music has been part of his life since childhood. Through middle and high school, he played in a bluegrass family band and even traveled some on the festival circuit. After graduating high school, he moved to Florida for a short stint in college before returning home. Once back in North Carolina, he began pursuing the craft of songwriting.

“I wasn’t performing, I wasn’t playing shows, so I just dived into that world of trying to understand it more. I took inspiration from guys like Casey Beathard and other songwriters I’d come to admire. I kind of took on that role of trying to sharpen up how to put a song together and articulate a story without making it confusing or boring.”

His ability to do that shines through the 12 tracks on his new album. From the beautiful “Long Ride Home” to the upbeat, slightly humorous “Crickets,” to the reflective “Kid Myself,” and others.

“The song, “Kid Myself” is about a past relationship back in North Carolina,” Morgan says. “I was able to go back and relive some emotions about a time when music was out of my life, I was in a weird spot, working a job, and making good money, but I wasn’t happy. I was bitter about the music not working out and she took the brunt end of it. There were mutual issues, but the song kind of looks back at how I was just a kid then and didn’t really know who I was or what I wanted.”

Morgan has an interesting story about how he ended up connecting with Jason Aldean, who eventually signed him to a record deal on Aldean’s Night Train Records (Aldean’s imprint with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville.

During a trip to Nashville to write with a friend from back home who already had a publishing deal, the two ended up in an Uber with a driver who, apparently, was also a songwriter. They talked but didn’t exchange numbers. About a year later after moving to Nashville, Morgan ran into the guy again while working part-time at Opry Mills Mall. The guy invited Morgan to start writing songs with him. One day, some other songwriters joined them. Those songwriters just so happened to be members of Aldean’s band. Eventually one of the song demos, featuring Morgan as the singer, made it Aldean.

“I was cutting my grass one day,” Morgan recalls, “and the phone rings. And he’s like, ‘this is Jason Aldean. I wanted to call you and tell you I’ve been hearing some of your stuff and I like what you’re doing.’”

As he tells the story, Morgan pauses here, then adds, “Meanwhile, I’m sprinting inside the house to find my roommate, so I have a witness!”

It’s been a great partnership, so far. Morgan has written for Aldean, toured with him as an artist, then Aldean joined him for the single “Friends Like That.” As it topped the charts, the song became Morgan’s first No. 1 hit as a performer, and Aldean’s 29^th No. 1.

Morgan is hoping his entire album resonates with country music fans. In addition to co-writing the songs, Morgan plays all of the acoustic instruments, and even served as co-producer with fellow writer, Brent Anderson.

“It was a lot of fun,” says Morgan. “I got to block off a month-and-a-half or two months to really focus on this project. And it allowed me to put my ‘player’ hat back on and brush up on those things that are really crucial in the studio. It’s been really cool to put it together.”

Now, he’s looking forward to people hearing it.

“I’m kind of excited to show people that yeah, I love writing songs, but I also do this and to have that established.”

Look for Morgan to join Kane Brown, Old Dominion, and Riley Green, on select dates during their tours this year, as well as show dates on his own.