Career Timeline of Lorrie Morgan: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Lorrie Morgan made an impact.

Lorrie Morgan is an American country music singer and actress, daughter of George Morgan and connected to other country singers through marriage (Keith Whitley, Jon Randall, Sammy Kershaw). Active since age 13, she charted her first single in 1979 but achieved peak success between 1988 and 1999. Her RCA albums and "Watch Me" went platinum. Her compilation album, "Reflections: Greatest Hits", is her best-selling album, certified double-platinum. Other albums like "War Paint," "Greater Need," and "Shakin' Things Up" achieved gold certification.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1977: Touring with Roy Wiggins

In 1977, after her father's band disbanded, Lorrie Morgan began touring with Roy Wiggins, continuing her music career.

1979: First Single Charted

In 1979, Lorrie Morgan charted her first single, marking the beginning of her career as a singer.

1979: Singles Released on Hickory Records

In 1979, Lorrie Morgan released two singles, "Two People in Love" and "Tell Me I'm Only Dreaming", on Hickory Records. Both singles charted in the lower regions of the Hot Country Songs charts that year. A third single, "I'm Completely Satisfied with You", featuring electronically overdubbed vocals of her father, also made the charts by year's end.

1984: Induction into the Grand Ole Opry

In 1984, Lorrie Morgan became the youngest inductee of the Grand Ole Opry. The same year she issued three singles on MCA Records, including a cover of The Supremes' "Someday We'll Be Together".

1988: Greatest Success Begins

From 1988, Lorrie Morgan achieved her greatest success, recording for RCA Records and BNA Records.

1988: Signs with RCA Records and Releases 'Trainwreck of Emotion'

In 1988, Lorrie Morgan signed with RCA Records Nashville and released her first single for the label, "Trainwreck of Emotion", which reached number 20 on the Hot Country Songs chart.

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December 1989: "Out of Your Shoes" Reaches Number One

In December 1989, Lorrie Morgan's song "Out of Your Shoes" reached the number-one position on the Radio & Records country charts.

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1991: Release of 'Something in Red'

In 1991, Lorrie Morgan released her second RCA album, "Something in Red", which was later certified platinum by the RIAA.

1992: Signs with BNA Records and Releases 'Watch Me'

In 1992, Lorrie Morgan moved to BNA Entertainment (later known as BNA Records) and released her first album with the label, "Watch Me". She also faced a lawsuit from her former manager and underwent pre-bankruptcy reorganization to counter the fees.

1992: Hot Country Songs Entries

In early 1992, "Something in Red" accounted for four Hot Country Songs entries between 1991 and early 1992: "We Both Walk", a cover of George Jones' "A Picture of Me (Without You)", and "Except for Monday" all reached top ten, while title track reached number fourteen in early 1992.

1993: Recording 'Crying Time' for 'The Beverly Hillbillies' Soundtrack

In 1993, Lorrie Morgan recorded a rendition of Buck Owens' "Crying Time" for the soundtrack of the film 'The Beverly Hillbillies'.

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1993: Releases 'Merry Christmas from London' and Acting Debut

In 1993, Lorrie Morgan released her first Christmas album, "Merry Christmas from London", featuring orchestral accompaniment and duets with Tammy Wynette, Andy Williams, and Johnny Mathis. She also made her acting debut in the made-for-TV movie "Proudheart" on TNN.

1993: "Leave the Light On" Earns Platinum Certification

In 1993, Lorrie Morgan's album "Leave the Light On" earned a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipments of one million copies.

1993: 'What Part of No' Reaches Number One

In early 1993, Lorrie Morgan's song "What Part of No" became her second number-one single on the Hot Country Songs chart, holding that position for three weeks.

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1994: Release of 'War Paint' and First Headlining Tour

In 1994, BNA issued Lorrie Morgan's album "War Paint", which included her first writing credits on her own albums. By the end of the year, Morgan had also begun touring as a headlining artist for the first time.

1994: Contributions to Multi-Artist Albums

In 1994, Lorrie Morgan contributed to three multi-artist albums: 'Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles' (covering "The Sad Café"), Frank Sinatra's 'Duets II' (singing a medley), and 'Keith Whitley: A Tribute Album' (duetting on "I Just Want You").

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1994: Stars in Television Pilot

In 1994, Lorrie Morgan portrayed the lead role in a television pilot for CBS called "Lorelei Lee", which focused on a country music-singing detective, but the pilot was not picked up for series.

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1995: Reflections: Greatest Hits Released

In 1995, Lorrie Morgan released "Reflections: Greatest Hits", which became her best-selling album, earning a double-platinum certification.

1995: Greatest Hits Album Release

In 1995, Lorrie Morgan released her first "Greatest Hits" album, featuring major hit singles and three new tracks. The album reached double-platinum status, becoming her highest-certified album by the RIAA.

1996: Collaboration on 'Stars and Stripes Vol. 1' and 'Hope: Country Music's Quest for a Cure'

In 1996, Lorrie Morgan collaborated with The Beach Boys on a rendition of "Don't Worry Baby" for the album 'Stars and Stripes Vol. 1'. She also contributed to the charity single "Hope: Country Music's Quest for a Cure".

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1996: Greater Need Album Release

In 1996, Lorrie Morgan released the album "Greater Need", which featured the Jon Randall duet "By My Side".

1997: Shakin' Things Up Album Release

In 1997, Lorrie Morgan released "Shakin' Things Up", which featured the top-ten hit "Go Away".

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1997: "Good as I Was to You" Reaches Number Four

In 1997, Lorrie Morgan's single "Good as I Was to You", from the album "Greater Need", reached number four on the Hot Country Songs chart.

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1998: Secret Love Album Release

In 1998, Lorrie Morgan released "Secret Love", an album composed entirely of cover songs from the 1940s and 1950s, dedicated to her father.

1999: End of Greatest Success Period

By 1999, Lorrie Morgan's period of greatest success, which began in 1988, came to a close. During this time, she recorded for RCA Records and BNA Records.

1999: Release of 'My Heart' Album and 'Maybe Not Tonight' Single

In 1999, Lorrie Morgan released her last BNA studio album, 'My Heart', featuring the successful Sammy Kershaw duet "Maybe Not Tonight". The single was promoted simultaneously by BNA and Mercury Nashville. Morgan also covered Bryan Adams' "The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You".

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2000: Release of 'To Get to You: Greatest Hits Collection'

In 2000, BNA issued 'To Get to You: Greatest Hits Collection', including covers of Sarah McLachlan's "Angel" and Tammy Wynette's "Another Lonely Song". Lorrie Morgan then ended her contract with BNA, spurred by declining sales and creative differences.

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2001: Signing with RCA Nashville and Release of 'I Finally Found Someone' Album

In 2001, Lorrie Morgan and Sammy Kershaw signed a one-album deal with RCA Nashville, resulting in the collaborative album 'I Finally Found Someone'. The album featured the single "He Drinks Tequila", Morgan's last top 40 entry on Hot Country Songs.

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2002: Signing with Image Entertainment

In 2002, Lorrie Morgan signed to Image Entertainment. Her first project was 'The Color of Roses', a two-disc compilation featuring live performances and studio recordings.

2004: Release of 'Show Me How' Album

In 2004, Lorrie Morgan released the studio album 'Show Me How' on Image Entertainment, featuring her last chart entry, "Do You Still Want to Buy Me That Drink (Frank)".

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October 27, 2009: Release of 'A Moment in Time' Album

On October 27, 2009, Lorrie Morgan's eleventh album, 'A Moment in Time', was released on the Stroudavarious label, featuring covers of traditional country songs and duets with Tracy Lawrence and Raul Malo.

2010: Release of 'I Walk Alone' Album and Sixth Marriage

In 2010, Lorrie Morgan released another studio album called 'I Walk Alone', featuring songs she co-wrote and co-produced. On September 15, 2010, she married Tennessee business owner Randy White.