Blake Morrison played his first club gig seven years ago, and he’s been working his way around the circuit since.
“I was 15 then and played at a bar called McDougal’s on Cherokee Avenue. I wasn’t even supposed to be in there,” the 22-year-old recalls with a chuckle.
The singer/songwriter has played Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in Nashville and Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta. Locally, he’s been onstage at Rhythm & Brews, Tracks Sports Bar and Southside Saloon and Bistro. His weekly gig at Spec-Taters Sports Grill has “a good little following,” says Puddin’ Sims, manager of that East Brainerd venue.
Sunday night, Morrison’s career takes a step up when he makes his Riverbend debut on the Bud Light stage.
“This is my biggest audience yet,” said the musician.
Morrison grew up in Whitwell, Tenn., and now lives in Rising Fawn, Ga. He said he started playing at age 10 and is self-taught.
His diverse musical influences range from Tool to Waylon Jennings. His shows reflect this, covering a variety of styles, including rap, but his musical foundation is country music.
“He gets a good reaction when he plays,” said Sims. “Sometimes people get up and dance – which is unusual for an acoustic act. He’s a great entertainer. He’s probably got a Rolodex of 1,500 songs he does without ever reading music.”
Allan Ward, Morrison’s manager, said the musician is also a humanitarian.
“He’s done four benefits for tornado relief and played one this week for a Chickamauga boy who has liver disease,” said Ward.
Get a sneak preview of Morrison’s show and watch videos of performances of his original songs at blakemorrisonmusic.com.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.
Catch the act
Blake Morrison plays the Bud Light stage at 5 p.m. Sunday. He is opening for Jimmy Thackery, blues singer from Pittsburgh, Pa., who takes the stage at 6:15 p.m.