Jazz Singer/Songwriter Richard Morgan
Get ready to be treated to some great music from an amazing performer who knows how to make music that touches others. In this spotlight with the musician Richard Morgan, our publication learns more about his vision, passion, and goals for making music. Enjoy!

Isaac: It’s an amazing time to be a DIY artist/performer/band/musician. What do you feel you contribute musically to the Indie Music Culture?

Richard Morgan: Real music played by real musicians. Strong melodies and intelligent lyrics which you can actually hear and understand.

Isaac: If you had an opportunity to sign with a major label, would you sign now knowing you may have to give up some of what you have built up over the years in the process?

Richard Morgan: Much depends on the deal and the people at the table. It can’t just be about money. On the other hand, I was offered a co-production deal on my last CD by a small independent label, but it simply didn’t make financial sense.

Isaac: I remember Simon Cowell from American Idol talking about the “it” factor that makes a musician/band stand out. What do you think is your “it” factor that makes you stand out from others in the music business?

Richard Morgan: A voice like your favourite sweater.

Isaac: One important element that you feel makes you stand out from the rest of the musicians/artists in the music industry?

Richard Morgan: Songs to confide in.

Isaac: Do you feel you have given it your best when pursuing your musical dreams so far? Why or why not?

Richard Morgan: I really started ‘making’ music at the age of 49, so it’s still a recent development. I haven’t sung my last verse!

Isaac: Who do you look up to for your own influences and why?

Richard Morgan: Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby, because I love their voices and the way they turned the stage into their own living room.

Isaac: Do you feel that Indie music gets the respect it deserves? Why or why not?

Richard Morgan: Music is a very competitive business art. There are 300,000 artists on CDBaby alone. Respect isn’t a divine right. It has to be earned.

Isaac: If you could change one thing about the music business, what would it be and why?

Richard Morgan: I’d like people to continue to buy music. Musicians need to eat too. With downloadable tracks at much less than the price of a cup of coffee, this doesn’t seem unreasonable. Unfortunately, I think we’re heading for a situation where everybody may just stream music in the not too distant future. 

Isaac: What has been one of your biggest setbacks and how did you overcome it? What lesson did you learn about yourself?

Richard Morgan: I’ve had so many setbacks over the years, in various artistic pursuits, that identifying the biggest is a difficult task, but I always seem to pick myself up and carry on. So I guess I have ‘true grit’.

Isaac: What type of feedback have you been receiving about your music from fans and music critics?

Richard Morgan: Blushingly positive on the whole. Look at some of the comments on Jango, for example.

Isaac: If you knew that you would never gain fame and fortune with what you are doing now, would you continue to make music? Explain.

Richard Morgan: Yes. Music is a marvellous form of expression and the voice an extraordinary instrument. I hope to explore both for a long time to come.

Isaac: How do you handle negative feedback or negative energy about your music?

Richard Morgan: Whenever I feel defeated, I remind myself of how positive I felt about my voice and my songs when I started. It’s a ‘think of the number you first thought of’ process, which re-centres everything and enables me to move forward with confidence (well, usually!).

Isaac: What role do your family and friends play in the equation of your pursuit of a music career?

Richard Morgan: My wife is my number one fan. I’m very lucky. My mother inspired the title of my album, ‘The Less You Do.’

Isaac: What is/are the best site/s where you can be found on the Internet?

Richard Morgan : www.richardcmorgan.com, www.myspace.com/ricomo, www.cdbaby.com/cd/richardmorgan, www.cede.ch and all the major digital distributors.

Isaac: The floor is yours; final words & wisdom of thoughts...

Richard Morgan: A big thank you to Isaac and Junior’s Cave for this opportunity to tell you about myself. Drop me a line at richard@richardcmorgan.com if you have a mind.

Isaac: