A Life in Music
Dale Morris, one of Nashville's most influential artist managers, died Friday at age 89. A representative confirmed that Morris died in his sleep, and a specific cause was not provided.
Morris's career spanned decades, beginning in the music industry as a songwriter. He penned Johnny Paycheck's 1967 single "Don't Monkey With Another Monkey's Monkey" before turning to artist management, as reported by both Billboard and Variety.
Building Alabama's Legacy
In 1979, Morris was introduced to the up-and-coming band Alabama at The Bowery in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, according to Billboard. Under his management, Alabama went on to score 33 No. 1 hits on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart — the most among duos or groups — and became a formidable touring act. Variety notes that Morris played a "massive role" in making Alabama "the most successful band in the history of country music," with 33 No. 1 hits in the 1980s and '90s. The group's touring success led to them being named Entertainer of the Year three times by the Country Music Association and five times by the Academy of Country Music in the mid-1980s, as reported by Variety.
The Kenny Chesney Era
In the early 1990s, Morris forged a professional relationship with an aspiring singer named Kenny Chesney. Under Morris's guidance, Chesney became a Country Music Hall of Famer and one of the highest-grossing country touring artists of all time, according to Billboard Boxscore. Variety reports that Chesney was named Entertainer of the Year four times in the 2000s by both the CMA and ACM, and has enjoyed 32 No. 1 Billboard country smashes. Billboard adds that Chesney holds the record for the most No. 1 songs on the Country Airplay chart, with 33.
A Mentor and Partner
Clint Higham, who started as Morris's intern and later became his managerial partner, paid tribute to his mentor. "He lived a big, bold, beautiful, blessed life, and I'm holding onto that right now," Higham said. "It's the end of an era."
Higham also said, "He was larger than life, and never met a dream he couldn't build. Dale Morris gave me my first internship, and I never wanted to go anywhere else. He saw things in people, in me, in Kenny, and inspired everyone to reach beyond what we thought possible. Maybe it's how much he loved life, loved his family, loved us."
Morris's client roster extended well beyond Alabama and Chesney. Billboard lists Martina McBride, Barbara Mandrell, Jake Owen, Old Dominion, Brandon Lay, Ryan Griffin, and Walker County among his clients, while Variety adds Gretchen Wilson, Dailey & Vincent, Carley Pearce, Brantley Gilbert, and Big & Rich.
In 2018, Morris's firm, Morris Higham Management, was acquired by Paradigm Talent Agency, which is now known as THE·TEAM, as reported by Variety. Billboard specifies that Paradigm acquired Dale Morris & Associates, the in-house booking business. In 2014, Morris received the T.J. Martell Foundation's Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award.
Personal Life and Legacy
Morris was married to his wife, Earline, for 68 years. He was preceded in death by his son Tim and is survived by his daughter-in-law Jennifer; grandchildren Zack, Colton, Nick, and Kendall; and great-grandchildren Mary Dee and Gus.
Zack Morris reflected on his grandfather's life, saying, "We're so blessed to have had 90 years with him as the patriarch of our family."
A celebration of Morris's life is planned for later this fall, with details to be announced in the coming weeks. The family has requested that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in lieu of flowers.