Music from Morgan Springs

Spring Fed Records reissue of Davis Unlimited (DU-33035) 1977 recording of traditional bluegrass as performed by the Morgans. Musicians include Tom Morgan (guitar), Mary Morgan (Autoharp), Allen Shelton (banjo), Steve Peck (bass), Ed Cullis (lead guitar) and Mike Hunter (mandolin) Tom was one of the most important bluegrass pioneers in the Washington D.C. area where he worked as a performer, luthier, event promoter. The Washington DC Bluegrass Union describes Tom's many contributions to that area's music scene: "Tom Morgan got his professional start in Washington DC as Buzz Busby's guitar player, and he was the original bass player for the Country Gentlemen (following a very brief experiment with Larry Leahy), and by '61 was the regular bass player for Red Allen, Frank Wakefield & The Kentuckians. All this time Tom lived in Arlington VA and Takoma Park MD, while serving in the U.S. Air Force as a medic stationed at Walter Reed. In addition, Tom worked as a very highly skilled bluegrass instrument luthier. He built necks for the banjos of more than a few local "stars," made unique "f-hole" autoharps, made several mandolins, and lent his own priceless Martin D-45 to Red Allen for all of Red's recordings from 1960-1964. Tom made all the appearances with Buzz Busby's radio program (singing lead and playing guitar) on WARL in the mid- to late 1950s, and later from 1961-1962 with Red Allen & Frank Wakefield on their Sunday afternoon show over WDON (Wheaton). He also did studio work on many other star's recording sessions. Tom is originally from Dayton, Tennessee where he resides today. He continues to sing and perform on guitar with his partner, Lynne Haas on autoharp and vocals, and his grandson on mandolin. They work about two dozen appearances annually, mostly in the Chattanooga area. In October 1997, Tom appeared at the IBMA Convention in Owensboro, KY for a set called "The Kentuckians Reunion", which included Frank Wakefield on mandolin, Pete Kuykendall on banjo, and Harley Allen filling in for Red Allen on vocals and guitar". This record features Tom and his wife Mary singing and playing a number of excellent bluegrass standards. They are joined by a strong band that features outstanding banjo work by the one and only, Allen Shelton.