STAPLES-Award-winning singer/songwriter Sarah Morris and her band will kick off their spring tour with a concert at 7:30 p.m. April 16 at Centennial Auditorium in Staples. This will be the final concert of the Staples Motley Area Arts Council's regular season. The show is underwritten by Mid-Minnesota Federal Credit Union.
The audience can expect to hear classic country to jazz standards, sprinkled with Morris' own take on pop. Nate Dungan, Entertainment Buyer for the Minnesota State Fair, stated in a press release, "Sarah Morris is a triple threat. She can sing, write, and hold a crowd in rapt attention with her wit, charm and soulful delivery. She has proved herself a force to be reckoned with."
A native of the Twin Cities area, Morris said her love for music originated from her parents' record collection, which included David Bowie, The Beatles and Frank Sinatra.
"There was a lot of music around when I was growing up, Morris stated. "My mom was always singing, she had a beautiful voice. My dad couldn't hold a tune with velcro gloves, but he always had something new playing on the stereo, which had a big influence on me."
After high school, where she participated in choir and musicals, Morris went on to study at the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music in Wisconsin, which laid the groundwork for her musical career. "I knew I wanted a good (music) education," Morris stated. "I wanted to do it healthy, to do it right. I had some wonderful classical teachers, for which I am extremely grateful."
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She made a commitment to herself that following college, she would move somewhere to continue honing her craft. "I spent four years in Nashville and loved it," Morris stated. "That's where I really learned a lot about traditional songwriting."
Morris returned to Minnesota when her husband received a scholarship to go to law school. During the past few years, Morris has released three albums and has been a regular performer at prestigious clubs such as The Dakota, Aster Cafe and Hell's Kitchen in Minneapolis. She's continued to build a reputation with her performances and songwriting.
This past January, Morris was the second place winner at the 14th Annual New Song Contest held at Lincoln Center in New York City. There were more than 1,500 entrants in the worldwide contest this year.
"I'd describe my music as Americana," Morris stated. "There's a lot of country storytelling in my songs, with a hook and two verses. You'll also hear hints of jazz, old pop and rootsier stuff as well."
Her writing is influenced by real life situations, including being a mother to two young children.
Morris's latest cd, "Ordinary Things," has been getting rave reviews and can be heard on classic country radio stations throughout the state, including KAXE and BOB FM.
"Sarah Morris is just a country girl living in the big city," according to Youa Vang, City Pages. "The Minneapolis musician pens tunes that would fit more in Nashville, but feel right at home in the Midwest. The songs on her new album, Ordinary Things, trace the connection between the head and the heart, and each track is earnestly full of heart, love and most importantly, hope."
Joining Morris on stage will be Thomas Nordlund on guitar, Andrew Foreman on bass and Zachary Schmidt on drums. After kicking off their spring tour in Staples, the band heads to Tennessee for performances in Knoxville and Nashville; and then back to the Midwest with stops in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
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Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for student in advance; or $15 and $7 at the door. Go to www.staplesmotleyarts.org to purchase tickets online or by cash or check at the Staples World. For more information call 218-894-1112.
