By Stephanie Lyew/Gleaner Writer—
Gramps Morgan performs at the ‘Let Freedom Sing!’ concert in Nashville, Tennessee on July 4.—
Currently in the middle of a Caribbean-wide launch of the Grammy-nominated album, Positive Vibrations, reggae artiste Gramps Morgan is having a good time. The 46-year-old entertainer performed at the 19th annual ‘Let Freedom Sing!’ show in Music City, Nashville, Tennessee, during the US Independence Day celebrations on July 4, which he says has left a lasting impression.
“I was blown away by the turnout; just knowing that reggae artistes and country music entertainers can perform on the same stage to a large, diverse audience is something I have to reflect on,” Gramps Morgan told The Gleaner.
The event which has regularly drawn more than 200,000 attendees – and a record-breaking 350,000 in 2021 – pulled out approximately 300,000 to see the likes of Country Music Awards (CMA) and Academy of Country Music Awards’ Group of the Year Old Dominion, and ‘The Voice’ Season 3 winner Cassadee Pope. It is also for one of the biggest fireworks showcase in the US.
The Islander singer-songwriter’s music immediately showed movement on the charts following the Let Freedom Sing! performance. He expressed that he has done many shows over the years, but they did not have an impact on the charts.
Gramps Morgan said, “Seeing the charts was proof that members of the audience developed in interest in the music they heard. It was good, because after coming off a Grammy nomination, a lot of albums slide down the chart or seesaw, depending on when people discover the music. Also, we still struggle with some audiences not buying music; but then, the charts showed that the show had an impact, because I jumped up into the top 10 out of nowhere. And I say out of nowhere because I wasn’t even in the top 200. This music is over a year old.”
SPECIAL MOMENT
It is marked as a special moment in his career, and to have Orville Hall from Dance Xpressionz as part of the showcase made Gramps Morgan feel at home as persons filled the Lower Broadway streets.
A Nashville resident since 2012, the singer moved to the city after falling in love with Music City following a performance at the historic Ryman Auditorium while on tour with R&B-soul singer India.Arie. The Grammy Award winner’s talent has been nurtured by patriarch Denroy Morgan, and while his reggae roots remain forefront, Gramps Morgan has steered a genre-less path, focused on imparting the Jamaican spirit and style. He has successfully seasoned reggae productions with dashes of both country and soul, and effortlessly blends the sounds of legendary artistes like Ken Boothe and Kenny Chesney, creating a sonic recipe to satisfy any musical appetite.
After the Nashville performance, he wasted no time to get back on the road, flying to St Maarten and then Anguilla.
“The trip to the Caribbean has made me focus on the major differences in music consumption across the countries and regions. There are also still a handful of people who want compact discs (CDs), who collect them and have the technology to play it in their cars. Vinyl also made a return,” he said, noting that contrary to what major labels may say, CDs are important as promotional tools.
“CDs aren’t selling a lot like they used to, but there are people who want to get their hands on one as a collector’s item, too. So, I did an autograph signing of over 150 CDs. My son, Jemere, also brought CDs for promotion and sale. We continue to include these as part of our tour offering,” Gramps Morgan continued.
The artiste will take a break from the Positive Vibrations promotional launch tour to go on an eight-week concert tour with the family unit – Morgan Heritage – to Austria, Sweden, Germany and London. He will also be on the Afro Cruise Jam in September.
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