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Before Craig Morgan launched his career in country music with his breakthrough hit single “Almost Home” in 2002, the singer-songwriter spent time serving in the U.S. military. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, he served in both the Army and Army Reserve and participated in missions such as Operation Desert Storm before turning his attention to music full time.
Though the success of his sophomore album, “I Love It,” meant he’d spend more time on the stage rather than the base, he continued to pay tribute to the military long after he completed approximately 17 years of service.
Patriotism is a running theme for Morgan when it comes to songwriting. His own time in the service inspired the poignant ballad “Paradise.” And time spent performing for troops and getting to know them over 13 different USO tours inspired heartfelt songs such as “Let Me Take You Home.”
His forthcoming album release (set to debut Nov. 6), “My Country,” finds the singer once again focusing on his love of country and celebrating the servicemen and servicewomen who dedicate their lives to protecting it. His latest record marks a new chapter for the performer that has been in the works for some time. “I’m excited to finally release it,” he shared in the press release.
Covers and Collaborations
Morgan’s label, BBR Music Group (part of BMG Nashville), describes the album as one that showcases the singer’s “unwavering patriotism.” Morgan incorporated patriotic originals into the mix, including the moving number “Long May You Wave,” a tribute to the American flag, which he cowrote with songwriters Scotty Hasting, Phil O’Donnell, and Houston Phillips.
“American Soldier,” the modern country standard written by late singer-songwriter Toby Keith, is also included. Morgan was a friend of Keith’s, and he shared in a statement that the late singer’s family extended their blessing before he covered the powerful ballad.
Other covers featured on “My Country” include Morgan’s rendition of the soulful Gavin DeGraw tune “Soldier.” But he also left room for some of his biggest hits. Included on the record is his duet version of the Top 10 hit “International Harvester,” featuring award-winning contemporary country singer Lainey Wilson.
The brand-new album is not only a tribute to America’s military, but it is also a tribute to the country music genre itself. The album’s lead single, “I’m Country Music,” is out now and focuses on the captivating nature of the genre and how it can become an integral part of a person’s life. Morgan’s label shared that the single “pays tribute to die-hard music fans and all the ways country music speaks to our hearts, hopes, fears, tears, and celebrations.”
For Morgan, “My Country” is all about combining what he loves most. “This new album brings together two things I love,” he shared. “My country and country music—and it’s created to celebrate both.”
A Lifelong Mission
On July 29, 2023, the country singer chose to reenlist in the Army Reserve, a surprise for the sold-out audience at the Grand Ole Opry attending his show. “I love being an artist,” he said during the ceremony. “But I consider it a true privilege and honor to work with what I believe are the greatest of Americans, my fellow soldiers.” The country artist has since contributed to the Prevention Music Initiative, a mental health and music program within the military.
For Morgan, both his artistry and military service represent a personal mission of his—one that he hopes inspires others “to be a part of something greater than [them]selves.” His November album is a culmination of this lifelong mission—a tribute to both the American soldier and the genre that has long embraced the American soldier in its songwriting. Morgan’s label shared that, like the country singer himself, the “My Country” record “celebrates the heart, soul, and sound of America.”
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