Chad Morgan - Biography

Biography

Morgan was born in Wondai, Queensland and raised by his grandparents. He was discovered through Australia's Amateur Hour radio program and started recording with Regal Zonophone (a subsidiary of EMI) in 1952. His songs are peppered with Australian slang (one CD compilation is called Sheilas, Drongos, Dills and Geezers).

Morgan has toured extensively, including the Slim Dusty Show, the All Star Western Show and his own Chad Morgan Show. He has been prolific in his recorded output and live performances. He was inducted into the Australasian Country Music Roll of Renown in January 1987 and awarded an OAM in 2004.

Morgan has appeared in two films, Newsfront and Dimboola.

When Gordon Parsons wrote the song "Pub With No Beer", Morgan wrote the words down and wrote one verse of his own. He was dubbed the "clown prince of comedy" by Slim Dusty. He has recorded a duet with John Williamson, "A Country Balladeer". He has had platinum and gold album sales and is one of Australia's most popular country music artists.

Morgan has played all over Australia in all manner of places from tents to trucks to clubs and pubs, festivals, the Sydney Opera House and even a circus. Among many others he has toured with Slim Dusty, Normie Rowe and Mental As Anything.

Artists who have impersonated Morgan in their shows include Col Elliott, John McSweeney and John Williamson.

Tex Morton once described Morgan as the only original country music artist in Australia.

While touring Australia Morgan made sure he had fun. If he wasn't racing cars off the highway, he was playing a modern game of William Tell with a .303. Morgan explains "Trevor Day & myself were travelling outback Queensland, we stopped beside a billabong for lunch. Well I had me .303, doing some roo shooting as we went. Trevor yells out "Hey Morgan, you reckon you're good, see if you can take this can off me head at 50 yards." I said "No, better not." Trevor said "You haven't got the guts, uh?" "Well, it was 50 yards off the shoulder, I took that bloody can off his head."

False rumours of his death began to surface after an announcement on radio station 4GY. The radio station later apologised for the rumour.

Morgan is one of the last pioneers of Australian country music and still very active, touring Australia bringing his comical songs to fans of three generations. He is a master of audience control and remains one of the biggest draw cards in the history of Australian country music.

He was awarded a Lifetime Achievement award at the 2010 CMAA Awards, the first person to be honoured with this award.

Morgan has two sons (Chad Jr and Allan) and a daughter (Janelle).