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Craig Morgan
A behind-the-scenes look into the life of a legendary entertainer, talented songwriter and hardcore hunter who knows how to keep things rocking in the woods
Hand Craig Morgan an old guitar and he can play you a song with the type of heartfelt lyrics that will momentarily freeze time, bring back old memories and even help put your life into perspective. His chart-topping hits like "Almost Home," "That's What I Love About Sunday" and "This Ain't Nothin'" represent the core values of small town America. His down home personality, devotion to family, strong work ethic and proven patriotism makes him a favorite among fans.
Morgan has never forgotten his roots or that the little things in life matter most.
But there's a side to him that craves adventure, from parachuting from an airplane to fearlessly jumping his Kawasaki motorbike across a crowded concert stage on a Friday night.
The woods are where the two sides come together. He feels most at home in a treestand trying to double-lung a top-heavy buck with his bow. His adrenaline soars coaxing a fired-up longbeard into shotgun range.
"Turkey hunting is just in my blood and that's all there is to it," he said.
Morgan is a hunter and conservationist who uses his fame and notoriety to promote the outdoors.
The hunter and soldier
Morgan grew up hunting the backwoods of the Volunteer State with his father. Hunting played a key role in keeping his family close back then, but those weekend trips with his father were responsible for shaping the man he is today. The cold autumn sunrises and countless hours spent in a treestand are where he learned many of life's important lessons and values.
And he's not afraid of hard work. Before selling out packed arenas, he worked at a variety of jobs, including contractor and sheriff's deputy. His give-it-your-all outlook was a perfect fit for an honorable career in the military. Morgan was on active duty with the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions for 10 years, where his woodsmanship skills and strong work ethic made him an outstanding soldier. Serving in Afghanistan and spending time in the field made him appreciate his home and family back in Tennessee even more.
He is constantly finding ways to support our troops, including active involvement with the USO to performing countless concerts for soldiers across the globe. In 2006, Morgan was given the honorable USO Merit Award for his patriotism.
The NWTF and turkey hunting
According to Morgan, about the only thing that gets him more cranked-up than performing for soldiers is chasing loudmouthed spring longbeards.
"My concert touring schedule can be intense at times, but I don't let that keep me from hitting the woods and busting turkeys," he said. "I simply plan ahead and sneak in hunts between concerts on the road. It has enabled me to hunt just about every state and complete the coveted Grand Slam at least six different times."
And now those road trips include videoing hunts for his new show, "Craig Morgan's All Access Outdoors."
"As a lifelong hunter, it blows my mind to see firsthand just how successful the re-introduction stocking programs have been across the entire nation. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the NWTF and state wildlife agencies, it's almost impossible today to find an area that is not completely covered up with turkeys."
Those who have attended the annual NWTF convention know about Morgan's commitment to the organization. He's rocked the stage during evening shows and held seminars during the day.
Morgan has even participated in several of the NWTF's habitat improvement projects and encourages other hunters to join the flock. — Travis Faulkner