ken will morton
in rock-n-roll's hands
© 2004 ken will morton
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Ken Will Morton hasn't played guitar all of his life. But after 15 years of strumming a six string, and 10 years of writings songs, you would never know it. Growing up in Connecticut, Ken left his hometown of Hartford to explore his musical aspirations. He traveled around the northeast playing bass with The Groundhogs, and wrote songs with good friend Andy Cole, which they recorded on Andy's eight-track recorder. After his parents encouraged him to further his education, Ken put music aside for a while to attend college. He spent the next few years working hard, did some work in a morgue in Philadelphia and graduated from LaSalle University with an honors degree in criminology.
However, Ken decided that his true passion was music, and he moved south to Atlanta in 1993 to pursue it. In Atlanta, Ken worked various blue-collar jobs and then an art gallery while honing his skills as a singer and songwriter. He started the band Wonderlust with bassist Dave Siff and drummer Kevin Watford. This "power trio of aggressive pop-power pseudo-punksters" released their debut EP, The Frailties of Life in 1998. Their full length, The Great Release followed in 1999. The band enjoyed some success, and even had a stint on the Vans Warped Tour. However, Ken was continuing to grow as a songwriter, and was still coming into his own and needed to quiet the music down some to hear himself think.
In the spring of 2001, Ken joined The Indicators. Spring of 2003 saw the release of the band's sophomore CD, Kill the Messenger, a rootsy pop rock record, which received rave reviews from No Depression, Relix, Harp, Paste Magazine and more.
In the summer of 2002, Ken backed former Guadalcanal Diary front man Murray Attaway as lead guitarist in The Redeemers for a few shows. While Ken had a great time with these projects, he wanted to pursue his ambition of becoming a full-time touring musician. He left The Indicators in spring of 2004, relocated to Athens, Georgia, and worked tirelessly to finish his first solo record.
His first solo effort, In Rock 'n' Roll's Hands, was self-released in June of 2004 and showcases Ken's extraordinary skills as a songwriter. The recording process was a long and often difficult one for Ken, who spent a long year of sporadic recording with Chuck Jopski at Summer House Sound in Hoschton, GA.
With a vocal styling reminiscent of Springsteen and Dylan, and heartfelt lyrics about life, loss, and triumph, In Rock 'n' Rolls Hands takes listeners on the rocky and life-changing road that Ken himself has traveled. His blend of blues, country, and rock puts a unique twist on the singer/songwriter genre and has captured the attention of music critics across the country. So far, the disc has received rave reviews in No Depression, Harp Magazine, Paste Magazine and Performing Songwriter....no small feat for a self-released record.
One of the record's shining moments appears in the opening track, "Little Victories." "I was going through a crappy divorce and a lot of relatives dying, and I hated my job," says Ken. "It's easy to bitch in those situations, but it's better to just count yer blessings. The song's called 'Little Victories' cuz it's the little things can really help you appreciate what you've got."
"Little Victories" opened the creative floodgates, enabling Ken to write a plethora of songs, including the title track, "In Rock 'n' Roll's Hands."
"The song itself, 'In Rock 'n' Roll's Hands', is kind of a confession," says Ken. "Tried this, didn't work. Tried that, didn't work. I guess I'll just leave myself in rock 'n' roll's hands. It is something I have faith in, something that always makes me feel good. I might not be rich, but I'm happy."
"15 Years" was written the day after 9/11. "As cliché as it might sound, it just came out in like 10 minutes, because my sister lives in New York City," said Ken. "The phones were dead for a good 12 hours and I couldn't get a hold of her. It is a kind of a fictional account of a couple that has been together for 15 years or so," says Ken. "And they woke up one morning said goodbye, and bam, one of them died, or both of them died, it is kind of open ended." The song encourages listeners to live life to the fullest. "Ya never know if your last wake up is your last wake up," says Ken.
Currently, Ken works on a farm in nearby Watkinsville during the day in between tour dates, and records his music at night. "It's hard labor, and it feels good," says Ken. " 'A little hard work makes a cold drink taste better' as the song goes." While Ken enjoys working outdoors, rocking is still his main focus. He already has 10 songs recorded with producer Rob Gal (The Coolies, Swimming Pool Qs), and is putting the finishing touches on his sophomore effort, tentatively titled The King Of Coming Around. With a new 16 track digital player, Ken writes and records music constantly and already has enough material for two more solo records, one being a bare bones intimate, front-porch recording of work songs.
Having already toured all over the country, Ken enjoys a life of playing the music he loves. With a belly full of experience already under his belt, where does Ken Will Morton see himself in 10 years? "Under the faucet of inspiration, soaking wet and smiling..."
Discography
1998 Wonderlust "The Frailties of Life" (EP) Shut-Eye Records
1992 Wonderlust A Great Release Shut-Eye Records
2003 The Indicators Kill The Messenger Lynn Point Records
2004 Ken Will Morton In Rock'n'Roll's Hands Self-Release
www.kenwillmorton.com
For management, publicity and booking:
174 Riverdale Drive, Athens, GA 30605
706-353-3244 fax 706-353-9798 www.michelleroche.com