John Morgan and Jason Aldean are opening up about their "Friends Like That" collaboration. The song, written by Morgan along with Brent Anderson, Will Bundy and Lydia Vaughan, is from Morgan's new Carolina Blue album, out on April 25.
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"When we started, it was more of a serious thing," Morgan says on Country Countdown USA. "We got halfway through, and made it more lighthearted. It wasn't originally a duet. It was already tee'd up, and just needed your thing on it. I'm stoked it went that way."
Adds Aldean, "I'm glad you asked me to be on it."
Aldean also joins Morgan in the video for "Friends Like That."
"The video starts with me in this fireworks shop," Morgan says. "I'm getting some fireworks together, we're gonna blow stuff up, and let some steam off. We needed a place to do this, and you were cool enough to let us use your property. It was pouring rain. We were able to get a shot off. Thanks to Jason for getting drenched with us and letting us use your property. I won't forget it, that's for sure."
John Morgan and Jason Aldean's Friendship
Morgan and Aldean are good friends, who also share a reciprocal business relationship as well. Morgan is on Aldean's Night Train Records, part of BBR Music Group, which is also the only record label Aldean has ever called home. He also has penned several of Aldean's biggest hits, including "Trouble With A Heartbreak," Aldean's current Top 10 hit, "Whiskey Drink," and his "If I Didn't Love You" duet with Carrie Underwood.
"I feel like you were a couple days from finishing your album, and you had a slot open for a duet. That one's special for me," Morgan says. The song marks the first big cut for Morgan by another artist.
"It was a career-altering song for me as a writer," he notes.
Fortunately, thanks to his numerous cuts as a songwriter, Morgan now likely has few financial worries. But it wasn't that way in the beginning of his career, when Aldean gave him a much-needed helping hand.
"It was middle of summer, and it was insanely hot," Morgan remembers. "No AC in my truck. My whole back was soaking wet."
"I think I gave you some money and said, 'Go get your truck fixed so you can make your writing appointments," Aldean adds.
