Craig Morgan to Play SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre, 7/18

Country music superstar Craig Morgan burst onto the music scene 16 years ago, bringing with him the depth of a nearly decade-long military career in the U.S. Army and the country passion of his Tennessee roots.

Craig was born in tiny Kingston Springs, Tennessee, the son of a bass-playing father whose work gave him behind-the-scenes views of classic country stars like Vern Gosdin, George Jones and Tammy Wynette, among many others. At ten, he sang the national anthem during a school field trip to Nashville in front of a crowd that included Minnie Pearl--who told him, "Son, someday you're gonna be a famous singer."

The singer/songwriter's popularity soared in 2005 when his "That's What I Love About Sunday" hit the top of the Billboard country charts for several weeks and was Billboard's number one country hit that year. Additionally, Morgan has charted 17 times, and 10 songs climbed into the top 10. He released his ninth album this June.

Morgan, a self-described American boy who loves his country, his family and his God, is bringing his voice for a Monday, July 18th concert under the stars at the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre in Orem. General admission tickets are $25 for adults, and $20 for children (age 3-11) and seniors (age 65+). Reserved seating areas with a free chair may still be available and range from $30 to $40 for adults and $25 to $35 for children and seniors. Tickets are available at scera.org, by calling 801-225-ARTS, or in person at the SCERA Center for the Arts (745 S. State St.), open 10am-6pm weekdays and Saturdays from 12noon-6pm.

Morgan has several huge hits he can notch on his belt, which helped prompt an invitation to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry. His music resonates with steadfast fans, and his country chart toppers include "Almost Home," "International Harvester," "Little Bit of Me," "Redneck Yacht Club," "Tough," and "This 'Ole Boy."

Something of a Renaissance man, Morgan has been an EMT, sheriff, humanitarian, farmer, motocross racer, hunter, fisherman and is a dedicated husband and father of four. His All Access Outdoor television show on the Outdoor Channel is entering its seventh season.

Morgan's frequent and ongoing performances at military bases both in the United States and Abroad earned him the USO Merit Award for his tireless dedication to the troops.

He says that his music, which ranges from love songs to working class anthems, all come from personal experience. Of his tireless work on behalf of soldiers, he told American Songwriter Magazine, "Because I have been there, I can appreciate that and have the ability to communicate with them a little differently." His commitment is also reflected in extensive efforts to raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

A cheerful optimist by nature, Morgan is known as a "what you see is what you get" country artist who is the same person on stage as he is off. His authenticity is reflected in his explanation of his life: "When you're talking about the people who come to my show, well, I am those people. I've heard people say they're a different person when they get on stage. I'm Craig Morgan all the time. The only difference between me and onstage and me in the barn is that on stage I'm singing, and in the barn I'm feeding chickens or working on a tractor."

His newest studio album is A Whole Lot More To Me. "As a country singer, we sometimes get stereotyped as nothing but trucks and tailgates, but that doesn't mean that's all there is to us," he says, summing up the album. "I want people to hear this record and go, 'Wow, there is a whole lot more to these country folks.'"