Rod Morris

Born in the United States, Morris possessed a rugged vocal delivery ideally matched to hillbilly repertoire and cultivated an unmistakable approach. Commercial breakthrough nevertheless remained beyond his grasp even after he cut sides with his Missourians for Capitol Records during the first half of the 1950s. The Capitol sessions yielded “Cold, Cold, Cornbread,” “Don’t Put Off Till Tomorrow (What You Can Do Today),” “Free, White (Wise) And Twenty One,” “Hey Mister Mocking Bird,” “Honey, Honey, Honey,” “Everything To Lose, Nothing To Gain,” “I’m Not A Kid Anymore,” “That’s How I Take To You,” “Nobody Home,” “Ten To One I Love You,” and “Bimbo.” By writing the last of these numbers Morris proved himself a capable songwriter as well. Gene Autry waxed “Bimbo” at roughly the same moment, and subsequent cover versions appeared from numerous artists, among them Jim Reeves whose rendition enjoyed notable success. Morris is additionally credited with “North Wind,” later cut by Slim Whitman, and “I’m Coming Over Tonight,” which Little Jimmy Dickens recorded.

Once his association with Capitol ended, Morris launched the independent Ludwig label and issued “Alabama Jail House Blues,” “Ghost Of Casey Jones,” “I Lived With The Angels,” “Bony Eyes Of Blue,” and “Heartbreak Letter” on that imprint. Bear Family Records has since compiled every Capitol master together with selected Ludwig tracks.