Biography

CONTACT INFO:
morganrhoads@outlook.com
More music from Morgan Rhoads at:
https://airplaydirect.com/music/MorganRhoadsItsAllGospel/

"The thing about singing gospel tunes is that it often brings the singer a little closer to The Lord. I have found that the same holds true for writing them. It is my prayer that someone listening or singing along to one of my songs will share this experience with me and that the song will say something that
touches their heart and soul." Morgan Rhoads

Singer-songwriter Morgan Rhoads and his band played the bars and honky-tonks of northern California in the 1980's. He honed his songwriting skills in 1990's Nashville, writing with such accomplished songwriters as Russell Smith, Gary Scruggs, and Aaron Barker. His latest CD of original songs, Country Gospel, incorporates influences from Bluegrass to Blues but is all gospel. For the recording of this CD, Morgan enlisted the help of long-time friend and collaborator, Danny Parks. A former member of Mel Tillis' Statesiders, and veteren Nashville session player, Danny has played with everyone from Dickey Betts to The Time Jumpers, had top 10 singles on four different instruments, and is currently playing in the Grand Ol' Opry house band while continuing his amazing studio work. Jimmy Carter and Duncan Mullins added their expertise on bass, with Duncan doing double duty on drums on three tracks. Morgan was born into a musical family. His father was a horse trainer and cattle rancher who played guitar and sang. Both grandfathers were farmers, and family get-togethers were always singing and picking events. Cousin 'Tex' Hatcher even made it into the California Swing Music Hall of Fame. God, family, and country living are in Morgan's heart and in his music.

Sing a Song (3:21)
Acoustic Country
Writer: Morgan Rhoads (BMI)
ISRC: QM9A92092581
Morgan Rhoads: Vocals
Danny Parks: Acoustic Guitar, Dobro
Duncan Mullins: Bass

My mother was a Christian, church going, bible reading mama and as Haggard would say, Mama tried. This is a tip of the hat to her but also a reminder that as believers, we should pray constantly and thankfully and remind ourselves what a sacrifice Our Savior made for all. Even back when I was playing and singing in smoky bars to a mixed crowd of bikers, cowboys, blue collar workers, and college students, it was amazing how well a gospel standard like I'll Fly Away or I Saw The Light would go over. The power of The Lord is undeniable. Mama taught me that no matter what your job is or how busy you are, you should always be able to find time to talk to The Lord, and read His Word.

Jesus Drives This Train (3:42)
Bluegrass
Writer: Morgan Rhoads (BMI)
ISRC: QM9A92092575
Morgan Rhoads: Vocals
Danny Parks: Acoustic Guitar, Dobro
Duncan Mullins: Bass

Through the years there have always been these great Gospel 'train' songs which are some of my favorite all-time songs. People Get Ready stands out as does Life's Railway To Heaven, and of course This Train by Sister Rosetta Tharpe and so many others. I decided that before I leave this earth, I need to write a gospel song that incorporates a train somehow. This is what God gave me. I don't expect it to ever be in the same category as the songs I've mentioned but it tells my story and I love what Danny Parks did on acoustic guitar and dobro. Not to mention Duncan's 'pulling it all together' bass. And watch out for that false ending. Just when you think it's all over, this train starts picking up speed again.


When I Go (3:42)
Gospel Ballad
Writer: Morgan Rhoads (BMI)
ISRC: QM9A92092574
Morgan Rhoads: Vocals
Danny Parks: All Guitars
Duncan Mullins: Bass

A friend of mine past away not too long ago, and every time I sing this song, I think of him. He was a true man of God and I am confident that in his final moments, even though he knew his family and friends would miss him, he was more than ready to cross over. The scriptures tell us that to be absent from the body is to be present with The Lord. What truly amazing grace! Danny's heavenly baritone guitar compliments the lyrics perfectly. Thank you Danny.


Deep Down (3:35)
Southern Gospel
Writer: Morgan Rhoads (BMI)
ISRC: QM9A92092576
Morgan Rhoads: Vocals
Danny Parks: All Guitars
Duncan Mullins: Bass, Drums

I got the verses to this song in the barn one day while saddling a horse. That Sunday at church, my friend Mike asked if I had written anything lately, and I told him, oh yeah I have a new one I'm working on. Big mistake. Because he kept asking me if I had finished it yet for a lot of Sundays after that. This song was not one of the fast to finish ones, and I got sidetracked for awhile. But, once I got the bridge, I knew it was getting there. Danny's amazing guitar work adds a lot of character to this song and emphasizes the 'deep down' feel to it along with Duncan's rockin' bass and drums. Thank you both.

Wilson's Treasure (3:06)
Bluegrass
Writer: Morgan Rhoads (BMI)
ISRC: QM9A92092577
Morgan Rhoads: Vocals
Danny Parks: Acoustic Guitar, Mandolin
Jimmy Carter: Bass

I have lived long enough to know how small town gossip can run wild sometimes and I know that envy and greed can eat a person up. I know that some people are always looking for the quick and easy, when life don't hardly work out that way. But I also know that it's never too late to learn or to change your ways or to ask for forgiveness. The best example of that is the thief on the cross next to Jesus. I had heard some young folks once talk about how much money a certain person must have and I started this song with that and then it just kind of fell in my lap. This is one of those songs that kind of just wrote itself. Well, at least it seems like God had more of a hand in it than I did.


Cowboy Church (3:33)
Acoustic Country
Writer: Morgan Rhoads (BMI)
ISRC: QM9A92092578
Morgan Rhoads: Vocals
Danny Parks: Acoustic Guitar, Dobro
Duncan Mullins: Bass

I got this idea while bush-hoggin forty acres just outside of Dixon, Tennessee. By the time I stepped off the tractor I pretty much had it done. I have done my share of riding fence with hammer and staples and wire and pliers in my saddlebags. I know what it's like to spend all day in the saddle in the great outdoors. And I have always felt blessed to have lived that life for a time. I guess I've always had this song bouncing around inside me so it came out pretty fast and natural. I do not intend to demean the importance of fellowship, or congregations, or denominations in the chorus, but instead to emphasize the closeness to God that we can all feel all on our own. God's creation is amazing to behold.


At Home (3:44)
Country Gospel
Writer: Morgan Rhoads (BMI)
ISRC: QM9A92092579
Morgan Rhoads: Vocals
Danny Parks: All guitars
Duncan Mullins: Bass


This world can be a real mess sometimes, and it sure seems to be heading in the wrong direction lately. But, as Albert E. Brumley so aptly put, This World Is Not My Home. As bleak as the human condition can look at times, there is everlasting promise in the Word of God. Do the best you can and keep your eyes on the prize. This song has a good old-fashioned rockin' country guitar solo after the first chorus by Danny Parks.


God Is Love (3:48)
Acoustic Blues Gospel
Writer: Morgan Rhoads (BMI)
ISRC: QM9A92092580
Morgan Rhoads: Vocals
Danny Parks: Acoustic Guitar, Dobro
Duncan Mullins: Bass

There are many scriptures that remind us of God's love for us and of His desire for us to turn to Him and love Him in return. But as human beings, we sometimes feel uncertainty or weakness concerning our relationship with Him. This song is a reminder to myself and others that God truly does love us. Just look at what He went through on the cross for us. His very essence is love, as John states in his epistle.


Keep On Marching
Blues Rock Gospel
Writer: Morgan Rhoads (BMI)
ISRC: QM9A92092582
Morgan Rhoads: Vocals
Danny Parks: All Guitars
Duncan Mullins: Bass

Trying to do the right thing and stay on that narrow path is not always easy and we all fall short at one time or another. The key is to keep on trying and not give up when you stumble or when life kicks you in the gut. I wrote this as a reminder to tough it out and keep moving forward toward being the person God wants me to be. The God who created the universe is on our side and He gave us the tools to work with, as Paul explains in the book of Ephesians.

Come Back Soon
Gospel Mid-Tempo
Writer: Morgan Rhoads (BMI)
ISRC: QM9A92092583
Morgan Rhoads: Vocals
Danny Parks: All Guitars
Jimmy Carter: Bass

It has been my father-in-law's lifelong dream to live long enough to witness the coming of The Lord, that awesome moment when His Glorious Light fills the sky from east to west and every knee shall bow and every tongue proclaim His majesty and authority. As of this writing, my father-in-law is 95 years old, and the way things are going, he just might make it. Of course, no one knows when this amazing day will occur, not even God's angels. The main message of this song is how glorious that day will be and how lost this world is without a connection to the God who created it.