Craig Morgan’s latest EP is called Enlisted and features two new songs, one with Luke Combs called “Raise the Bar” and the other, “That Ain’t Gonna Be Me” with Trace Adkins. There are also new versions of four of his prevous hits done as duets with other artists.
“I’ve always been kind of against re-recording hits,” Morgan says, “because I feel like there are so many new songs people should be hearing. But I also respect the impact some of these songs have had on others. And that’s what makes this relevant. I didn’t just record some of my hits with my friends, I recorded them with people who’ve had a relationship with these songs in some way.”
Lainey Wilson and Jelly Roll have both shared how a specific Craig Morgan song resonated with them long before they made it big.
“A lot of people have seen the video of Jelly Roll talking about the song “Almost Home,” on the Grand Ole Opry,” Morgan says. “That really impacted me. And Lainey Wilson talked about how she used to listen to “International Harvester” while driving around in a truck with her dad. So, these songs weren’t just hits for me, they had an impact on other people.”
The new EP includes a re-imagined version of “Redneck Yacht Club” with Blake Shelton.
“Blake Shelton was in my video for the original version of that song,” Morgan says. “This new version is very island-y. In fact, the drummer who played the metal drums for us was Jimmy Buffett’s drummer. He played the metal drums on all his stuff.”
Morgan says he’s aware you have to be careful when you re-do your older songs because there’s a reason people liked them in the first place. Enlisted has a very different version of Morgan’s classic “That’s What I Love About Sunday” featuring Gary LeVox (former lead singer of Rascal Flatts).
“It’s very artsy, very R&B, and has kind of a churchy vibe,” Morgan explains.
He says offering two versions of a song gives people an option. And by recording them with younger artists, it introduces the songs to people who haven’t heard them.
“There’s a new fan base. With the influence of artists like Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Lainey Wilson, and others, I could go on and on, they’ve brought in a new audience. And some of these people have never heard these songs before. So, now they will, and I think they’re going to love this stuff.”
He’s excited for fans to hear the new songs, both of which he co-wrote. “That Ain’t Gonna Be Me” reflects Morgan’s strong values and convictions in support of God, family, and country. Lyrics include, “I’m gonna put my hand up, I’m gonna stand up for what I believe.”
“I think this song with Trace is an anthem for Middle America today, right now,” Morgan says.
Morgan is currently one of the busiest people in country music. He spends a lot of time touring, he operates an off-the grid survival retreat business in Alaska with his son, Kyle, he’s a military vet who wrote about his years as an soldier in a book released last year, and this summer he re-enlisted in the U.S. Army as a reservist. Morgan’s swearing-in ceremony took place on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.
His military job as a reservist, which requires a commitment of one weekend a month and two weeks every year, will involve Army recruiting.
“Recruiting is at an all-time low,” he says. “It hasn’t been this low since the inception of the military. And that’s in all branches, not just the army. So, my hope in doing what I’m doing is to show people you can do it even with my schedule, and I encourage others to get involved and be part of the 1-percent that serves our country in the military.”
With all he’s doing, his music, remains a top priority.
“I’m doing the same thing I’ve always done. I want to write and sing and produce music people want to hear. I take this job very personally and my job is to entertain people who spend hard-earned money to come see us.”
It’s something he absolutely loves.
“Yeah,” he says, “I still can’t believe I get to do this.”
His EP Enlisted is out now and his current tour continues for most of the rest of October with an appearance at the Grand Ole Opry on October 25th.
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