Morgan Myles’ Live From Apogee Studio — “I wanted to give listeners a live record that was all REAL, no fabrication- just raw.”
You were born and raised in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. It has a diverse range of live music events — rock, blues, bluegrass and jazz. How did growing up there shape your early musical interests?
Williamsport is a very small town, but I was so lucky because my biggest mentor Dave Brumbaugh started Uptown Music Collective which was like a school of rock- I learned so much from that man… he saw my potential, heard the soulful side in my voice and knew how to make me grow on so many levels. Truly owe so much to Uptown Music Collective.
“There is no one in my family that is musical, but my mom always wanted a piano in the house. It was basically for decoration. I guess I was around three years old, and I began sitting down at the piano and just played. When I was six years old, my mom started taking piano lessons with me so that I could start earlier.” How has your parents support through the years (including having you dance) impacted your musical path?
Dance was also something that I started competing in and that helped me gain so much performance skills and connect my body to the music.
Your high school guitar teacher, Dave Brumbaugh, not only made you into the guitar player you are today, but also helped you connect to your voice. He had you singing Janis Joplin’s live set from Woodstock to help you learn to connect your body to the emotions you felt performing the songs. There is so much music education can impact — cognitive development, academic achievement, and social-emotional skills. How can we best support these school programs?
Honestly music education needs all the support we can give them these days. They always pull funding from the arts first… the problem is a lot of children aren’t athletes and they need a different outlet. Not to mention music is an entirely different set of learning skills. I was both an athlete and musician in school and it’s entirely two different skill sets and both are important.
You attended Berklee College of Music before transferring to Belmont University in Nashville. What were the key takeaways from your time at these institutions, and how did they prepare you for the music industry?
I would say interning was probably the best takeaway from my college experience. I interned in all the different aspects of the music business once I transferred to Belmont. The longest internship was at Big Machine, where I actually spent most of my time working on Taylor Swift’s projects. The label was very new at that time but was taking off so I got to intern for every department at the label and listen in on strategy weekly calls. I met Taylor several times and took notes of how engaged she was with her fans. Looking back she really was the pioneer into this social media drive world. Her relatability is what really connected her to her fan base on a deeper level of acceptance. But truly experience-based learning is where I could apply what I was studying.
Three years ago, the top three on NBC’s The Voice, Team Camila Cabello. Your appearance on the show raised your profile. What motivated you to participate in the show, and what was the most memorable aspect of that journey?
If I’m being honest the reason I finally did The Voice audition was because I had reached a series of unfortunate lows for my career and after the pandemic I felt like giving up… I thought what do I have to lose? And to be honest thank God I did because I really did get everything that I wanted to gain from the show- and surprisingly enough I DIDN’T want to WIN lol! I’d say the most memorable was when I sang “Always Remember Us This Way” in the semi-finals and dedicated it to my cousin, who passed away at 33 years old to glioblastoma brain cancer. It was an extremely emotional week for me, but it brought back his memory and it led to so many people reaching out to me sharing their stories… that’s what ALL this is about for me.
Your single “Reap” was featured on the Operation Mend: Hope album. The UCLA Health’s program provides free specialized medical and psychological care for post-9/11 veterans, service members, and their caregivers. Can you discuss your involvement with this project and the importance of supporting our veterans?
Our veterans do not get enough appreciation at all- frankly it just breaks my heart… I believe in supporting our military and our veterans in any way shape or form. They have had to go through so much for our freedom and our continued protection and they need to feel supported.
Operation Mend is an incredible organization that helps post 911 veterans that have been severely wounded in war and it also supports their caretakers. I will forever stand behind our troops, just wish I could do more.
Last year, you received a standing ovation at your Grand Ole Opry debut singing “Hallelujah.” What did that moment mean to you, especially after years of hard work?
Honestly, I needed that moment… It took me 17 years in Nashville to finally get that moment. It’s like all the ups and downs- the crazy blood sweat and tears led to that moment. I needed to know that I was meant to do this, I needed that validation. I struggle with believing in myself sometimes after so many years of being knocked down. So for someone like me that had to work so hard to get there… It’s one of the highest honors of my life.
You’ve been touring extensively, performing over 100 shows a year. As part of your Exclusive First Listen Tour, fans (Mylestones) gave you original song lyrics on notecards, which you used to make up melodies/songs on the spot. What do you enjoy most about performing live?
Connecting to people… I feel like God gave me this voice for a reason. It’s what keeps pulling me through my ups and downs. He is giving me these words to attach my story to others so they can heal… because even if it is a sad song and you are on that same level, it will make you start realizing you are not alone.
Your recent live album, Live from Apogee Studio, was recorded, with Grammy-winning producer Bob Clearmountain, in one take. What was the intention behind this approach, and what did you want to capture with this live recording?
In a world where music and all the arts are being threatened by AI and honestly most of the music is auto-tuned… I wanted to give listeners a live record that was all REAL, no fabrication- just raw. I think we are all craving for more authenticity these days and this record is what you get when you come to a live show of mine.
“I feel so blessed to still be following my heart and continue to trust that this is God’s plan for me.” Upcoming studio album, produced by seven-time Grammy winner Ross Hogarth, is set for release this year, blending influences from Muscle Shoals, Austin, and Nashville. What can you tell us about the sound and themes of this upcoming album?
My upcoming album is dropping in November but we will be rolling out singles before then! This album embodies faith, perseverance, love (the ups and downs…) in the most vulnerable way I’ve ever been on recordings. With me going through a toxic relationship and now breaking off my engagement… it’s a diary of my story- and I know I’m not the only one who has experienced this.
What’s ahead?
Well, man makes plans and God laughs… if you follow along on my socials (@morganmyleslive) I’m doing a 30 Day Challenge of a healing journey that has been not only positive but comical! Hindsight is 20:20 and if I can laugh and heal faster, count me in!