Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

MORRIS, Gary

(b 7 Dec. '48, Fort Worth TX) Successful pop-country singer early '80s who then became a Broadway star. Came from musical family; sang in duo with twin sister Carrie and also in school choir; joined local bands around Fort Worth and appeared on Ted Mack's Amateur Hour while in high school. He joined Denver trio Taylor's Cowboys '69; formed his own seven-piece Breakaway band playing Denver clubs and performing jingles and session work '72--6. Performing at President Carter's inauguration he was spotted by Nashville producer Norro Wilson who landed a contract with WB '79, followed by country top ten with 'Headed For A Heartache' '81; further hits incl. no. ones 'Baby Bye Bye', 'I'll Never Stop Loving You', '100% Chance Of Rain', 'Leave Me Lonely'. He wrote several of his hits, also had his songs recorded by Reba McEntire etc; sang duets with Lynn Anderson and Crystal Gayle; had lead role with Linda Ronstadt in La Boheme NYC '84 and in Les Miserables '87 (won Grammy for Best Musical Cast Show Album). He appeared as Wayne Masterson, a blind country singer, on The Colbys ABC-TV; performed two children's songs featured on soundtrack of film The Giant Mountain; changed labels to short-lived Universal '89, then Capitol '90; continued to tour, appearing in stage shows and on TV. Albums incl. Gary Morris '82, Why Lady Why '83, Faded Blues '84, Second Hand Heart '86. Plain Brown Wrapper '86, What If We Fell In Love (with Crystal Gayle) '87 all on WB; Stones '89 on Universal; These Days '91, Full Moon, Half Empty Heart '92 on Capitol.