We recently connected with Morgan Wright and have shared our conversation below.
Morgan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I’ve gotten my music talents from both of my parents. My mom is a singer and piano player and my dad was a drummer, music producer and DJ. I wanted to play drums also but I ended up getting a Casio keyboard from my grandpa one year for my Birthday or Christmas. With old notes and lessons from my mom in combination with self teaching, I learned the basics of the piano and practiced by learning how to play songs by ear. At the time, we were also going to this church in Massillion, Ohio and I had a crush on the drummer and he also played the keyboard and he taught me a few things and I wanted to learn just so I could show him that I practiced what he taught me.
After moving to Charlotte, the first professional I linked up with was Apex, owner of Apex Studios. I was invited to a show at The Evening Muse in the NoDa district and met Apex. Later after the show, I sent him a verse I wrote and recorded myself and we talked about me learning in the studio. Starting out I would come sit in on recording sessions and he would let me jump in and teach me the recording process in Studio One and beat making using Reason. My very first feature was on “Can’t Stop Me Now” from his mixtape ” I’m Just a Machine Pt. 1″ which allowed me to earn royalties from streaming and live performances in local shows.
As more time went on, I continued to learn vocal recording and music production with another engineer known as Mr. V.I.P. I would watch and listen as he worked with other producers known as PettyBoi and ItsOnly1E recording and making beats in Pro Tools. I later learned how to produce in FL Studio with those same producers.
I wish had done more networking back then to learn about music business and the direction music was heading and learned keyboard shortcuts for all programs I was using to speed up my workflow. Over the years, in learning how to record vocals with basic mixing and producing music I’ve been able to make more connections, have work to show for what I have learned and even release new music myself.
With everything that I’ve learned over the last 12 years, it has allowed me to build a name for myself.
Morgan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
A few years ago, I was able to open up Full Force Production Co in uptown Salisbury, NC. In collaboration with other local business the goal was to create a one stop shop for artists and small business owners. At the time, businesses included were Unique Vizionz Photography, Phantom Powered Productions, PettyBoi, ItsOnly1E and the studio later became Rank Up Studios. As owner and founder, I felt it was my responsibility to know every part of the business that I could learn. With previous recording and music production skills I co-produced, record and mixed singles and mixtapes with the lead engineer, I took photos and did basic videography and online marketing and hasd other administrative duties.
I was working to setup my business so that I could help artists make quality music and prepare themselves to make money from their music by teaching them music business. I still have notes from 2016 that I’ve been updating and adding to over the years to keep up with the industry and how it works.
I am most proud of the fact I was able to successfully start a business, attract clients and provide quality work to the best of my ability. Even to this day, I still get calls for beats and recording sessions from previous artists I’ve worked with or from people who have heard of me.
I believe what sets me apart from others is I am a young intelligent female that can either be apart of a project hands on in whatever area I am needed or simply give advice and information.
Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I wish I had known more about actually being a business as an artist or producer, building business credit for funding, being at networking events and showcases to connect more, having access to vendors for products and merchandise to sell. I do also wish I had been classically trained as a pianist, but I still have time for that. For a while it seemed as if FL Studio was the top tier music production DAW that everyone worked on. I wish I had mastered that when I had started. I would be an Elite music producer already.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
The best thing anyone can do to support artists and other creatives is SHARING THEIR CONTENT and GIVING FEEDBACK. With social media being highly influential, it is imperative for artist sand creatives to have an online presence. I don’t think people really understand the process and time it takes to have an idea and bring it to life and then be confident enough to share it with family and friends, let alone the world.
Helping spread the word about our art in its most basic form can yield amazing results. You don’t always know who is watching and listening.
I beg consumers to listen to artists music for 30 seconds to a minute. It gives you time to hear the intro, chorus and the first verse of a song in order to form an honest opinion not just a popular one. Give honest feedback so that we can learn how to do better and connect with our audience better. Even if you didn’t like the song, explain why and if you did, explain why.
Also, BUY PRODUCTS and MERCH and PROMOTE IT OFTEN. Don’t just buy something to show them you support them, show everyone you support them. It’s easy, we do it everyday already. Take pictures, post video clips and tag the artist. It goes a long way.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewr1ght/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewr1ght
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thewr1ght/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/THEWR1GHT
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzA402geiw4iJ1nOrlhDLpQ
- Other: VoyageRaleigh: https://voyageraleigh.com/interview/rising-stars-meet-morgan-wright-of-charlotte-nc/ Salisbury Post: https://www.salisburypost.com/2019/04/07/under-one-roof-full-force-production-co-helps-launch-music-careers/
Image Credits
Credit: Morgan Wright