If you were
coming of age at any Texas university in the late 90’s/early 2000’s, there were
really only a few things you needed to know to survive your studies. Beer tasted just as good in the morning as it
did last night, Taco Cabana is open 24 hours a day, and Pat Green and Cory
Morrow’s mothers somehow inexplicably named their children with the same middle
name. Oddities aside, Cory was as close
to royalty as you could get at the time.
The Big Ski Trip that happens in Steamboat every year was originally
named after Pat and Cory. Watching the
Godfather recently I was reminded of the line by Hyman Roth to Michael
Corlione, “Michael, we’re bigger than U.S. Steel.” Now that may be a little far of a stretch but
it gives you a scope of the magnitude that these fellas had. Everything that was Texas Country revolved
around them.
Seeing Cory
Morrow (alongside John Carroll) perform an acoustic set in his native Houston
at Pub Fiction recently reminded us why he got to his position. Cory has been a very gifted performer for
many years now and he brings his animated style of play with him to all
events. He is easy going with the crowd,
accommodating with his set list, and brings such a sense of joy to all those
around him. His enthusiasm is contagious
and his playing chops match that of a performer who spends the better part of
his life on the road.
On this
particular night he stuck with predominantly the favorite tunes that his fans
have come to love for going on two decades with some new material sprinkled
in. Cory has changed a lot over the
years and it reflects in his songs. It
would seem the hard charging, party animal has subsided and a fresher, more
mature, more spiritual side has morphed.
It has done wonders for his music to say the least. Many of the “party all night” themes have
changed into love for his family, his faith, and most importantly,
himself. I can’t recall ever hearing a
bad song from his earlier albums but it is clear that he is more focused now
that he has turned over to religion and he doesn’t hide his convictions with an
album titled Brand New Me and song titles of “He Carries Me” and “Lord, You
Devil”.
Let me get
things straight before we go any further, this is not a prayer meeting popping
up a tent in your town. This is a man
(backed by a very solid band) who can bring the rafters down with his good time
songs, belt out the National Anthem at a Texans game, and I’m sure still drink
you under the table if he felt the need.
But nearly 20 years into his career, he has settled down a bit and we
all still like him just the same. It’s
phenomenal to see such a great artist evolve over time and still be able to
bring along his fans with him for the ride.
And if he’s able to touch some more fans along the way by sharing his
own personal stories through lyrics, then all the better. I don’t think that it is in Cory Morrow to put
on a bad show, he’s just too talented and has too much of a love for his fans
and for performing. Now about that
middle name……..
Check out when you can see Cory Morrow in a town near you!
Cory Morrow ~ Live @ Pub Fiction
Ramblin Man
21 Days
Nothing Better
Big City
Stripper
The
Songwriter’s Lament
Light On The Stage
Texas Time
Traveling
My Baby and Me
Love Me (Like You
Used To Do)
Beat Of Your
Heart
Friend Of The
Devil
Always And
Forever
Just Along For
The Ride (Awesome)
Good Day To Be
Alive
Nashville
Blues
He Carries Me
Encore
Beer
Take care of
you? (A great song about his son that
has previously not been recorded.)
To see the rest of the pictures from Cory's show @ Pub Fiction, become a fan on Facebook!
Article Written By: Matthew Ricketts ~ Senior Staff Writer, LoneStar Outlaw Review
Photography Rights belong to LoneStar Outlaw Reivew,
courtesy of ©KelleyStroutPhotography
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