John Morgan's long-awaited debut album is out. The singer-songwriter just released Carolina Blue, a 12-track record co-written by Morgan. The project, which features his "Friends Like That" collaboration with Jason Aldean, is out on Aldean's Night Train Records, in partnership with BBR Music Group.
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"To say this album has been a long time coming would be an understatement," Morgan says. "Some of these songs are more than four and five years old. I wrote most when I first moved to town in 2020, so they've stood the test of time in my book.
"Carolina Blue is a testament to my home state of North Carolina and all the hard-working, good people who've been a part of my journey," he continues. "This project shows who I am as a person and artist, and I hope people can see themselves in the songs too."
"Friends Like That" is also Morgan's first No. 1 as an artist at country radio.
"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."
John Morgan's Friendship With Jason Aldean
Aldean might have a part in Morgan's Carolina Blue album, but their friendship goes way, way back. In fact, it was Aldean who first gave Morgan a helping hand, when Morgan was just getting his start in country music.
"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.
Their friendship certainly goes both ways, at least now. Morgan is the writer behind some of Aldean's biggest hits, including "Trouble With A Heartbreak," "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, speaking of "If I Didn't Love You."
"It was a career-altering song for me as a writer," he adds.
