We were lucky to catch up with Chase Morgan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chase , appreciate you joining us today. One of the toughest things about progressing in your creative career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

Well, being an artist and songwriter has its own unique set of challenges in itself; however, I’ve found most of my issues or problems have been in the realm of health and wellness. I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, autoimmune hepatitis, and P.S.C., all at once, at the age of fifteen. Although this diagnosis happened years before I began pursuing music as a career, it did lead me to learning guitar, primarily for its therapeutic benefits. I believe that this was the first step in my discovery of the healing properties that music can provide. As the years went on and I kept learning, I found that I could escape through the music. It forced me to become present in the moment and shut out all of the daily stressors and issues that I’d been facing, and just play. I owe so much to music and it doesn’t owe me a thing, yet it still continues to give everyday that I play. I see it in the faces in the crowds. When I look out, I can see when certain songs, certain melodies, or even just the lyrics themselves, touch the hearts of those who are needing it most, in real time, right before my eyes. It truly is a magical thing and is something that I feel truly blessed to be a part of. This past spring/summer, I was hospitalized three times in four months, due to health issues relating to my autoimmune conditions. This was especially devastating because it had been the busiest spring/summer for bookings so far in my career. From playing the bars and clubs along the circuit, to playing on floats in parades for the Calgary Stampede Promotion Committee, we were rolling and showed no signs of slowing down. That was, until I fell ill. Not being able to play during that time was one of the hardest things I’ve done, but I was simply too weak for most of my visits. I wanted to look up to the heavens and scream “why? why me?” with all of my might. I had to shift my perspective. I’d forgotten how my initial diagnosis brought me closer to the music; how as I played and as I listened, I healed. Once I had changed my perspective back to seeing the blessings being given to me, I realized that through our darkest days, we become more connected. Through pain and hardships, we can relate, and not feel so alone anymore. There is connection in the catastrophe, in a very strange and beautiful way. I realized that these new challenges and times of trial would benefit me somewhere down the road. Through the hurt I felt then, I can reach someone dealing with their own hardships down the road.
I finished my stay in the hospital with a small acoustic concert for the long-term care residents of the hospital. I saw the joy my music brought to them, and was reminded again that I was right where I needed to be.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Absolutely. My name is Chase Morgan, and I am a country music singer/songwriter, originally from High River, AB, Canada. That’s right, a northerner – haha! I had been playing guitar since the age of fifteen just for the challenge and the therapeutic benefits, until a bar in my hometown had a last minute cancellation that they needed filled in June of 2021. They’d seen some of the songs that I’d written and posted on social media, and asked me if I would mind filling the spot. I said yes. I didn’t expect much out of it, but the turnout was absolutely ridiculous. People from my town, the town over and the town down the road from there all turned up to watch, filling the bar to well past capacity and lawn chairs began filing down the sidewalk outside the bar’s patio barricade. After the adoration and getting paid to play for the first time in my life, I was bit by the bug. I haven’t stopped running since.
Ever since then, I’ve been on the go, trying to make this dream, a pursuit that I’d never even envisioned possible for me, a reality. With a new found passion for a life of music, I began cold calling venues and playing wherever ears wanted to listen. I have also gone on to release three songs to global streaming platforms, with my last release, “Home to Me,” (2023) being my first release to national radio. In my debut at radio, we were fortunate enough to get featured on Casey Clarke’s Country Countdown, as well as being added to numerous stations across the nation. It was a great step forward, and I am exited to see how things progress from here. I hope to have you all along for the ride with me!

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

I just recently read Matthew McConaughey’s memoir, “Greenlights,” and absolutely loved it. Everything from his general approach to life, the stories and experiences that he shares, and the conversational dialogue, had me hooked from the first few pages. I am the type of person that has a trillion things that they want to do, but not enough time to do all of them, or so we think. I don’t know the direct quote, but there is one about how the intellectual is capable of doing many different things, but the genius does those things one at a time. Throughout this book, McConaughey really emphasizes the grading system that he uses to “check in” on himself, his progress, how he’s feeling, and how he can become more of himself. MORE of himself, not “better.” I like that. I have used this method of “grading” my own performance several times since reading the book. Basically, the underlying principle is, don’t half-cheek a whole bunch of pursuits, two-cheek one singular pursuit. Once you’ve completed that first task, challenge, what-have-you, you can then put your full effort into your next project. It’s more efficient, more effective and, in turn, is way more fun. I would highly recommend anyone and everyone to check it out – McConaughey fan or not.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Oh shoot, that’s an easy one! There’s one super simple thing that the folks can do and this is GET INVOVLED! That can be anything from streaming a song from an artist you like, following them on socials, buying their hard-copy music and merch, or just coming out to a show. Everything we do, as creatives, is made possible by our supporters. It sounds kind of redundant, but the best way society can support artists, creatives, etc., is simply just by supporting – no matter how grand of scale. Another super easy way to help us out is just by sharing our posts, music, etc., with your friends, family, or on your socials. Even in today’s society of advanced technology, social networking and word-of-mouth is still the best way that I’ve found for getting our product in front of the folks who need it most. All of that is a really long way of saying, just do what you can, do what you feel. Any and all of your support is so greatly appreciated, no matter how you choose to show it/contribute.

Contact Info:

• Website: thechasemorgan.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/chasemorganmusic
• Facebook: facebook.com/thechasemorgan
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/GcmpRcOX12A?si=f60l-OrK08yEL0R3
• Other: tiktok.com/@chasemorganmusic

Image Credits
Jade Grace Photography