By Tricia Witkower and Joni Wright
Drawing inspiration from a plethora of music legends, Lisa Lynn Morgan is a well-versed local musician whose twang and sweet smile puts a twinkle in any country gentleman’s eye. In a stroke of pure luck, she was one of the first people I met after moving to the desert from Mississippi. Her warm and gracious nature made the transition welcoming and enjoyable. As a musician, she is a powerhouse and a staple in this valley, lending lead or backup vocals to two well-respected local bands. As a friend, she is an inspiration. Lisa is always on the move – making connections, growing venues, helping to promote young unknown local talent all the while expanding her own talent. Recently she has taught herself to play the piano, and at the rate she’s going, Lisa may be her own 8-piece band before we know it. Goodness knows she has the drive!
Lisa has no shortage of devoted fans that support her at her shows, but don’t take a layman’s word for it. She’s also loved and respected by many influential names in the music biz. In their own words, here is a snapshot of the impact she’s made on music in our strange and magical desert community and beyond.
“We were putting a group together (Minstrels 95) to entertain the tourists and I couldn’t get this hot blonde with the big hair and the big country honey voice who sang every Friday night at The Jade Gazebo out of my mind. She knew every country song and never ever sang a wrong note. She made the beer go down smoother and was a feast for the eyes. We all knew she had to be in our group. We never looked back after that. She rocked all the way.”
Art Podell One of the forefathers of the early folk scene in the 1950’s (Art and Paul), and an original member of Grammy Award Winning The New Christy Minstrels (an ensemble that launched the careers of artist such as Kenny Rogers, Gene Clark, Kim Carnes, and Barry McGuire). Podell currently hosts “Roots Radio” on KPFK 90.7FM Los Angeles.
“Lisa is one of the finest singers I’ve heard in quite a while. Many girls try to emulate singers such as Aretha Franklin, Patsy Cline, and many others, but never get to the heart of the matter. With a powerful voice, Lisa is developing her own style through great influences!” Terry Reid, award winning “Super Lungs” singer/songwriter who toured with the Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, Cream and Jethro Tull, and has worked with Graham Nash, Don Henley, Bonnie Raitt and Jackson Brown, to name a few. Reid most recently recorded with Joe Perry and joined “Hollywood Vampires” (Alice Cooper, Johnny Depp, Joe Perry) on stage.
“Lisa is something beautiful and rare; an artist who is also in the business of music and is still passionate about both. She’s a fire, a contagious fire. A true artist and an inspiration to everything the fire touches. Keep burning, the world is cold,” said Travis Meadows, award winning Nashville singer/songwriter who’s list of chart toppers include “The Hearts I Leave Behind,” (Wynonna), “Riser,” Dierks Bentley, “Dark Side,” Eric Church, “What We Ain’t Got,” Jake Owen, “God and Guns,” Hank Williams, Jr., and more.
“To say I enjoyed Lisa Lynn and the Country Gentlemen would be an understatement. Not typically a fan of country music, it has quickly become one of my favorites as a result of experiencing many performances of Lisa Lynn and the Country Gentlemen. Lisa Lynn lights up the stage! The connection she has with the audience is nothing short of fantastic. This is not your basic concert performance; Lisa is so connected and interactive with the audience you would think her show is being put on just for you! The connection is personal! Not only does she connect with the audience members, but there is a heartfelt connection between her and all of the band members.”
“Her voice is golden – whether she is singing country, rock, or an old time classic – she does tremendous justice to all of it. While the band plays and she sings, one can’t help but snap their finger, clap, and even dance a bit. As the owner of an entertainment venue, I look forward to each performance. And by the way, EACH performance gets better and better. Don’t know how that is possible, but Lisa Lynn and the Country Gentlemen make that happen. There is nothing but LOVE invested in each and every song and in the overall performance. If you have a chance to see them live, jump on it! You too will become a big fan…and quickly!” Brad Guth, Owner of The Hood Bar and Pizza
“Lisa Lynn Morgan is without question the most exciting addition to the desert music scene (upper and lower) in my 20 years of covering said scene. She warms up with Janice Joplin. She covers some of the great classic country singers remaining faithful to the spirit behind the original rendering but adding her breathtakingly soulful vocals. Though surrounded by quality musicians, there is no doubt, when the curtain goes, up who is in charge. Her work with The Country Gentleman (runaway winners of ‘Best Country Band’ at the 2016 CV Music Awards) has been well documented, but her fans have become very excited by her several performances as a solo act playing her own songs and accompanying herself on the 88s (piano). These deeply personal songs written from her own life experience have touched the hearts and souls of all who have been graced to see them performed live,” Rich “Da Coach” Gilgallon, long time Coachella Valley radio personality currently hosting Hot Talk on KNews 94.3 FM.
“Lisa has been part of my CV Weekly team since I started the paper over 4 years ago in several different capacities. I will never forget the first time I heard her sing, she gave me chills. I had no idea she had that good of a voice. Every time I heard her perform after that she just kept getting better. While she has performed with several bands and as a part of a few duos, I have never been as proud of her as I was when she performed her song, ‘Taste Like Sin’ at the 2016 CV Music Awards. It was my first time of really seeing her front her own band and take charge and she totally kicked some country ass! And that’s where she belongs- out front.”
“But her talent doesn’t stop with her voice. She is an amazing song crafter as well with songs like ‘519 Days’ and ‘We All Fall Down,’ which brought me to tears the first time I heard both of them. Often Lisa will send me a rough demo recording of a song to see what I think. One of them was the track ‘Forgive Me Please.’ I texted her back and asked her who originally did that song, knowing in my mind that it had to have already been a hit. She responded, ‘I wrote it.’ I was blown away. Every song she writes comes from deep personal experiences and is heartfelt. She is quite the storyteller.”
“Lisa is also a great example of not letting anyone tell you you’re too old to still have a successful singing career as she relaunched hers in her late 40s and turning 50 only made this songbird better. There’s no stopping Lisa Lynn Morgan when she makes up her mind to do something!” Tracy Dietlin, owner & Publisher CV Weekly.
These heartfelt accolades only represent Morgan’s recent work over the past four years, but she has been at this for a while. Born and raised in the Southern California desert, Lisa Lynn Morgan began as a preteen singing in church and local theater groups. One of her earliest inspirational moments came from none other than Ol’ Blue Eyes himself: “One Midnight Mass, I sang a solo – ‘The Little Drummer Boy.’ I had no idea at the time that Frank Sinatra was in attendance. It’s probably a good thing too. On his way out, after mass, Mr. Sinatra stopped and turned to me on his way out. He shook my hand and patted me on the cheek and said, ‘Keep singing from the heart kid.’ Those words have stayed with me ever since.”
Morgan attended Azusa Pacific University on a partial music scholarship, but didn’t sing in her first band until she was 27. She has opened for the Bellamy Brothers, Toby Keith, Alan Jackson, Gary Alan, Tower of Power, and was a guest singer with the world-renowned folk group, The New Christy Minstrels.
Post-college, Lisa made the move to Vegas and performed on stages at Harrah’s, The Monte Carlo, The Flamingo, The Stardust, Gilly’s, The Riviera and more. After taking some time off to raise kids and get a taste of a “normal” life and a steady paycheck, Morgan re-launched her career after moving back home to the Coachella Valley to take care of her dad, who was diagnosed with cancer. She now performs regularly with local award-winning, original country band, R Buckle Road and in her own band, Lisa Lynn and the Country Gentlemen. Nominated in several categories over the past three years (Best Female Vocalist, Best New Band, Best Front Woman), Lisa Lynn and the Country Gentlemen were awarded Best Country Band at the 2016 CV Music Awards.
Aside from a cowboy hat, Lisa wears many others. Not only is she Head Music Writer for Coachella Valley Weekly, Morgan is also CEO of Diva Left Vegas Productions, founder of Southern California Desert Musician Alliance and works full time as Production Manager at FG Creative, a reputable marketing and branding firm in Palm Desert. She has been an active participant in local charities, such as: Street Life Project, working with the desert’s homeless, House of Hope recovery home for women, and in 2011, was named ‘Rookie of the Year’ by the Riverside County American Red Cross while serving on the emergency Disaster Action Team.
Her heart, as big as her voice, comes through in her music – on stage and in life. If you want to feel something, see Lisa live. She will move your soul.
You can follow Lisa Lynn Morgan on the following links:
www.reverbnation.com/lisalynnmorgan
www.facebook.com/lisalynnandthecountrygentlemen
Upcoming events:
Monday, Aug 15 Guest Hosting Open Mic at Pappy and Harriet’s, Pioneer Town 7-11pm
Friday, Aug 19 Esjay and Friends Acoustic Sessions @ Hard Rock Hotel, Palm Springs 8-11pm
Friday, Aug 26 Bella Terra Amphitheater, Huntington Beach (with R Buckle Road)
Friday, Sept 2 Lisa Lynn and the Country Gentlemen @ The Hood Bar & Pizza 9-12pm
Saturday, Sept 3 Lisa Lynn and the Country Gentlemen Headlining the La Quinta Block Party
Saturday, Sept 10 Lisa Lynn and the Country Gentlemen Tack Room Tavern, Indio 9-12
