Gary Morris

Gary Gwyn Morris (born December 7, 1948) is an American singer and stage actor who charted a string of hits on the country music charts throughout the 1980s.

Morris is known for the 1983 ballad "The Wind Beneath My Wings", although his credits include more than twenty-five other chart singles on the Billboard country charts, including five No. 1 hits. He has also released nine studio albums, mostly in the country pop vein, with his 1983 album Why Lady Why having earned a gold certification from the RIAA.

Early life Morris was born in Fort Worth, Texas. Morris, a good athlete, played four sports at Richland High School, which led to a scholarship with Cisco Junior College in Texas. It was during college that singing became Morris's chosen vocation, and he decided to move to Colorado. He and his two friends formed a trio, and asked a Colorado Springs bartender if they could get up on the bandstand and perform a few songs, and the audience's response (and tips) convinced Morris to put his college plans on hold and to pursue a performing career.

In the early 1970s, Morris made a living by singing in nightclubs in Denver, Colorado. Two follow-up singles also reached the top 15.

Morris' 1983 album, Why Lady Why focused more on ballads. One of the album's four singles was "Wind Beneath My Wings",

In early 2008, Morris released two gospel albums. His most recent CD is called, Faith and Freedom, dedicated to the military troops. Gary Morris performed two songs featured on Juice Newton's album Duets: Friends & Memories, which was released in October 2010.

Acting career Morris took a break from touring to pursue a serious acting career. One of his first big roles was in the Broadway production of Les Misérables, as Jean Valjean. Morris has also appeared in a production of Puccini's opera La Boheme with fellow country/pop singer Linda Ronstadt.

In the 1980s, he did a stint on The Colbys as blind country music singer Wayne Masterson, signed to Dominique Deveraux's label. On the show, he sang "Try Gettin' Over You" from his Anything Goes release.

In the 1990s, he spent a great deal of time working on music projects, such as the PBS special concert production, in Moscow, Russia, in the Tretyakov Gallery. He returned to country music in the 1990s, performing in concerts and as a record producer. Morris hosted and also produced TNN’s The North American Sportsman. In 1992, he appeared in an episode of Designing Women as Julia's surgeon.

Discography

Awards and nominations American Music Awards 1987 Gary Morris Favorite Country Male Video Artist Music City News Country Awards 1984

Star of Tomorrow 1985

1986 Academy of Country Music Awards 1983 Gary Morris Top New Male Vocalist 1984 "Wind Beneath My Wings" Song of the Year

Gary Morris Top Male Vocalist of the Year

Song of the Year Video of the Year

Gary Morris Top Male Vocalist of the Year "I'll Never Stop Loving You" Song of the Year

"100% Chance of Rain" Video of the Year 1988 Crystal Gayle and Gary Morris Top Vocal Duo of the Year Country Music Association Awards 1984

"Second Hand Heart"

"100% Chance of Rain" Gary Morris Male Vocalist of the Year

1987