Biography
Harold Ralph Morrison entered the world on 30 January 1931 in Highlonesome, Missouri, and passed away on 21 December 1993 in Springfield, Missouri. Equally at home on banjo, guitar, steel guitar and dobro, he also possessed a gift for comedy. His initial radio work began in 1950; the next year he formed a partnership with fiddler and guitarist Jimmy Gateley. The pair first appeared with the Red River Rustlers over KJSB in Jamestown, North Dakota, before relocating to WWVA in Wheeling, West Virginia. Although they performed chiefly as a duo, they occasionally joined Dusty Owens’ band and contributed to his Columbia Records sessions in 1954. In 1955 the two musicians settled in Springfield, becoming regulars on the newly launched Ozark Jubilee and traveling with Red Foley. Morrison simultaneously launched a career as a session player, supplying steel guitar to the Browns’ hit “I Take The Chance” and banjo to Porter Wagoner’s “I’m Stepping Out Tonight” and “A Good Time Was Had By All.”
Relocating to Nashville in 1957, he recorded steel guitar and dobro for numerous Decca sides by Kitty Wells, among them her hit “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” and cut RCA Victor tracks with Johnny Wright while touring in the Wells-Wright revue. He subsequently spent several years with the Wilburn Brothers on both the road and their television program, and played banjo on Loretta Lynn’s “Blue Kentucky Girl.” Reader’s Digest sessions followed in 1959; during the mid-1960s he cut solo Decca releases that mixed instrumentals with comedy numbers. In 1969 he joined George Jones and Tammy Wynette, remaining until their divorce, after which he continued in Wynette’s band.
In 1975 Morrison, his daughter Karla and Benny Williams formed the Smoking Bluegrass Band, which toured extensively and performed at major festivals. Following the group’s dissolution he worked with assorted ensembles, though between 1985 and 1987 he led his own band in Branson. During 1989 he appeared with Ferlin Husky at their Myrtle Beach, South Carolina theater, only to see the complex destroyed by Hurricane Hugo. After a stint with Grandpa Jones he launched another show in Myrtle Beach before returning to Branson in 1992. Heart failure brought on by a cerebral hemorrhage ended his life.
Relocating to Nashville in 1957, he recorded steel guitar and dobro for numerous Decca sides by Kitty Wells, among them her hit “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” and cut RCA Victor tracks with Johnny Wright while touring in the Wells-Wright revue. He subsequently spent several years with the Wilburn Brothers on both the road and their television program, and played banjo on Loretta Lynn’s “Blue Kentucky Girl.” Reader’s Digest sessions followed in 1959; during the mid-1960s he cut solo Decca releases that mixed instrumentals with comedy numbers. In 1969 he joined George Jones and Tammy Wynette, remaining until their divorce, after which he continued in Wynette’s band.
In 1975 Morrison, his daughter Karla and Benny Williams formed the Smoking Bluegrass Band, which toured extensively and performed at major festivals. Following the group’s dissolution he worked with assorted ensembles, though between 1985 and 1987 he led his own band in Branson. During 1989 he appeared with Ferlin Husky at their Myrtle Beach, South Carolina theater, only to see the complex destroyed by Hurricane Hugo. After a stint with Grandpa Jones he launched another show in Myrtle Beach before returning to Branson in 1992. Heart failure brought on by a cerebral hemorrhage ended his life.
Albums
