The daughter of singer George Morgan, she made her first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry at age thirteen, performing Marie Osmond's "Paper Roses." Her father died when she was sixteen.
When her father died in 1975, she took over his band and began leading the group through various club gigs. Within a few years she disbanded the group, and in 1977 she went on to play with the Little Roy Wiggins band. She then became a receptionist and demo singer at Acuff-Rose, where she also wrote songs.
In 1978, she had one minor hit single; the following year another minor hit with "I'm Completely Satisfied", an electronically dubbed duet with her late father. She began touring Nashville nightclubs and opened for a number of acts, including Jack Greene, Billy Thunderkloud, and Jeannie Seely. She toured as a duet partner with George Jones and spent two years as part of the Opryland USA bluegrass show and as a regular singer on TNN's Nashville Now.
In 1983, TNN was launched as the first cable network devoted to country music. Morgan was a regular on the show Nashville Now, singing towards the end of each show.
In 1984, Morgan scored a minor hit with "Don't Go Changing". That year she became the youngest singer ever to join the Grand Ole Opry.
In 1988, Morgan was signed with RCA Records, her first major label.
In 1989, Morgan's first album Leave the Light On was released; "Trainwreck of Emotion" became her first Top 20 hit, followed by her first major hit with "Dear Me".
In 1990, Morgan had her first number one single, "Five Minutes". That song was also featured in her album Leave the Light On, which went gold.
In 1991, Morgan's second album Something in Red went platinum. Morgan married her third husband Brad Thompson, bus driver of Clint Black.
In 1992, Morgan's third album Watch Me was released on RCA's newest label, BNA Records, spawning the number one single "What Part of No".
In 1993, Morgan was the first female country artist to have three albums in a row to be certified platinum. Morgan's romantic life gained tabloid attention with Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman following her third divorce.
In 1994, Morgan was voted Female Vocalist of the Year by the fans in TNN's Music City News awards. She would earn this honor again in 1996, 1997 and 1998. She also appeared on Frank Sinatra's Duets II album, singing a version of "How Do You Keep the Music Playing" intertwined with Sinatra's "My Funny Valentine".
In 1995, Morgan had another number one song on the Country Charts called "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" from her Greatest Hits CD.
In 1996, Morgan was featured on the Beach Boys' now out-of-print album Stars and Stripes Vol. 1 performing a cover of their 1964 hit "Don't Worry Baby". The Beach Boys provided the harmonies and backing vocals.
Personal life
======================
Morgan is known for her turbulent personal life -- she told Larry King in an interview that "drama is something that lets you know you're still alive." As of 2006, she is married to singer Sammy Kershaw; they were separated at one point but apparently have since reconciled. Kershaw is her fifth husband; she was married to country singer Keith Whitley from 1986 until his death in 1989. They had one child together, a son, Jesse Keith Whitley, born in 1987. She also has a daughter Morgan from her first marriage. Prior to Kershaw she was involved in a lengthy relationship with Dallas Cowboys Quarterback Troy Aikman.
[edit] U.S. Senator Fred Thompson and Lorrie Morgan (1994-1996)
Morgan was also romantically linked from 1994 to 1996 with actor, lobbyist, former U.S. Senator from Tennessee (and former Hendersonville, Tennessee resident), and possible 2008 Republican Presidential candidate Fred Dalton Thompson.
In her book Forever Yours, Faithfully: My Love Story, Morgan states that:
It was great to go out with an older man [Fred Thompson] who was very successful on his own. I felt very secure with him, and he became a wonderful friend, a caring, inspirational man who would encourage me not to doubt myself (which, maybe you can tell by now, is one of my best things).
Fred is an extremely generous man. He wined and dined me and bought me presents --- furs, earrings, Chanel shoes with real high heels.
For a while, I enjoyed my first exposure to politics. It was interesting to hear about political conversations, and people even began talking about Fred as a potential president. It was inevitable that I would be sitting at a glamorous party and would have the flickering thought, So, this is what it's like to be a First Lady. Hell, I could handle that. Then I would say, "Oops, better drop the 'hell'"
I put myself to the task of being a great companion to a stimulating and important man, and as a result I become boring. I lost my spunk, my spontaneity, I had to stop and think about the political implications of everything before I uttered a word in public. Was this a Democratic issue? Was this a Republican issue? I could not trust my best asset, my gut instincts. In other words, I could not be myself.
Fred let me know that it was important how I dressed. Sedate was in. Even if I felt like a little flair that night, forget it --- we might be with men who had big wallets and insecure wives, wives who were a little older than I was. So get that basic black dress out of the closet. And no cleavage, baby.
Fred's senator buddies loved me, and some of my friends said that they never seen me happier. For a while, I wanted to marry Fred, but I knew he could not accept me as I am.
Forever Yours, Faithfully: My Love Story. pp. 262-263. Lorrie Morgan with George Vecsey. 1997. Ballantine Books. ISBN 0-345-41297-4
Evening Up the Odds
Lorrie Morgan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it makes me really scared
And I can't help but wonder
How we'll ever get anywhere
Hope can die so young
Long before the race is run
[Chorus:]
And the odds are, some of our dreams will get left along the way
And every time you hold me close, it's the light against the dark
And here we are, evening up the odds
Evening up the odds
And I want you to tell me
How safe I am with you
And how our hearts together
Can't help but make it through
And for every love that leaves
There's a love that's meant to be
[Chorus]
Smile a smile, for every tear that falls
That's not fair, but darling after all
Here we are, here we are
[Chorus]
Evening up
Evening up
Evening up the odds.
The song "Evening Up the Odds" by Lorrie Morgan explores the uncertainty and fear of life, and the need for hope and love to persevere through difficult times. The singer starts by looking at the numbers, possibly referencing statistics in life or relationships, and feels scared and unsure about how to move forward. She recognizes that hope can die young, before reaching the finish line, suggesting that it is crucial to hold on to hope and maintain a positive outlook.
The chorus then highlights the reality that everyone is likely to experience heartbreak, and some dreams may be left behind. However, the singer finds comfort in her significant other, believing that their love can help them overcome any obstacles. The line "every time you hold me close, it's the light against the dark" illustrates the power of love to provide comfort and hope in difficult times. The final verse encourages the listener to keep smiling through tears and persevering, despite life being unfair at times.
Overall, "Evening Up the Odds" is a song that highlights the importance of hope, love, and perseverance through the difficult times in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I've been looking at the numbers
I have been analyzing the data and statistics
And it makes me really scared
The results are causing me to feel fearful
And I can't help but wonder
I have a strong feeling of curiosity and questioning
How we'll ever get anywhere
I am uncertain of how we will make progress
Hope can die so young
Optimism and positivity can fade away easily
Long before the race is run
Before the goal is achieved or the journey is complete
And the odds are, we're all gonna get out heart broken, someday
There is a high probability that we will all experience heartbreak at some point
And the odds are, some of our dreams will get left along the way
There is a likelihood that some of our aspirations will be abandoned in the process
And every time you hold me close, it's the light against the dark
Each moment of intimacy and connection is a beacon of hope in difficult times
And here we are, evening up the odds
We are working to level the playing field and overcome obstacles
Evening up the odds
Balancing the chances of success and failure
And I want you to tell me
I desire to hear from you
How safe I am with you
I require reassurance of my security in this relationship
And how our hearts together
Our emotions and feelings combined
Can't help but make it through
Will inevitably survive and overcome any obstacles
And for every love that leaves
For each relationship that ends
There's a love that's meant to be
A new connection that is destined to be formed
Smile a smile, for every tear that falls
Find a happy moment for every sad experience
That's not fair, but darling after all
Life can be unjust, but we will persevere regardless
Here we are, here we are
We are present and ready for whatever life brings
Evening up the odds
Working to overcome the difficult circumstances
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANGELA KASET, WENDY WALDMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind