Page 21 - Joshua's Journal

Morgan accepted Christ at the age of 12 while Nicole has the weight of holding family life down. attending the Fire Baptized Holiness Church in NE Out of love for his “Queens”, he has established Fri- Washington, D.C. It was at the Fire Baptized days as date nights. He takes his daughters out in the Holiness Church where his musical interests took afternoon and Nicole out at night. He believes this root. He credits his great-grandmother and several ritual is ultimately important in showing them how cousins for peaking his interest in music. As a child, much he cares and adores the women in his life. He Morgan also played the flute, for which he was often credits his father for developing these traits in him teased. As a result of being teased for playing the early in his life. He also declares that Nicole is very flute, he got mad and set out to be the best flute play- supportive of his craft. er he could be. He also played the saxophone, oboe and drums. During high school, he became interested When asked about his connection with Pastor in playing football, so much so that he considered Washington, Morgan explained by using the farmer never playing piano and organ ever again. Fortu- versus the mule analogy. He stated that while he is nately, God had another plan and with the demise of out front as a musician, he follows the "synergy" of a torn ACL and three surgeries later, he was forced Pastor Washington. Over the many years that he has back into music. known Pastor Washington, he has studied him and especially his demeanor, enabling him to succinctly Over the years, Morgan has been recognized as a understand his flow. He absolutely believes that the renowned musician, producer, and arranger who has music must line up with Pastor Washington’s sermons. appeared on a plethora of albums for such notables He has much admiration and respect for Pastor as Dorothy Norwood, Ben Tankard, William Becton, Washington and likens their relationship to one’s Desmond Pringle and Maurette Brown-Clark. He “favorite butler.” He further explained this by stating also maintains television credits for title and cue that although others can get the job done as well, music for shows like BET’s Lead Story, Bobby Jones their history and being attuned to the needs of the Gospel, Video Gospel, Comic View, Teen Summit, Pastor has established him as a reliable and dedicated and Heart & Soul. He has toured with artists resource. such as Najee, Bobby Jones, Karen Clark-Sheard, Ben Tankard, Yolanda Adams, William Becton and Morgan sees his responsibilities to the Mighty Men many more. Most notable to his credits have been of Reid as more than just music. He purposely main- Morgan’s television appearances on The Bobby Jones tains a closed rehearsal in order to create an atmo- Gospel Show, MTV, BET Christmas Special, Howard sphere of transparency. He wants the men to feel free University Television, BET Jazz and BET’s Tribute to talk and share their cares of the world. They have to Patti Labelle. Among the accolades and awards established a level of cohesiveness by understanding during his career, he has been nominated three times that everything that you are going through, someone for a Stellar Award. Additionally, he has created four among them has also been through. Most challeng- step-by-step instructional DVD’s, two for organ and ing, as with any aggregation of people, is the many two for piano. Morgan also conducts workshops and personalities and idiosyncrasies. He credits the ability has served as an instructor at the Berkley School of to sustain the cohesiveness among the Mighty Men Music in Boston, Massachusetts and the Soul Bird of Reid to their faith, growth, varying levels of ma- Gospel Music School in Osaka, Japan. Currently turity and their relationship with Pastor Washington. he is a member of the well-renowned “Ray Chew Morgan has elaborated to the Mighty Men of Reid and the Crew” and serves as the organist for the that Pastor Washington has set the bar and that they BET Honors. must follow his lead, especially as it relates to their ministry of music and preparation. With such an impressive and busy body of work, how does Morgan establish and maintain balance in his When asked what advice he would give others family life? He has been married to Nicole Holmes interested in music or any other facets of life, for ten years. They have two daughters, K’Lah, Morgan gave three significant pointers: 10 years old and Brittany, a freshman at Spelman • Be willing to give up something you love College, majoring in Electrical Engineering. Accord- • Pursue higher education ing to Morgan, when he is not on the road or produc- ing, he makes sure that he does all he can around his • Find a mentor to sit under and learn from him/her home. That includes taking K’Lah to school, cooking Lastly, Morgan believes in always trying to do better!! and cleaning. He understands that when he is away, www.reidtemple.org • 19 www.reidtemple.org • 19