Morgan Wallen just became the first country artist to place five top ten songs in Billboard's Hot 100 Chart in one week! He is part of a very elite group that includes five mainstream artists who have accomplished this feat. The group includes Drake, The Beatles, and Taylor Swift when she crossed over to Pop Music among others.
Not to mention that his latest album One Day At A Time debuted at number one on the Billboard album chart, and he currently holds the top single spots in the Billboard Country Digital Sales, Country Streaming Songs, and the Hot Country Song Charts.
It has not been an easy climb up for Morgan Wallen. The blue eyed singer originally set his sights on becoming a baseball player, and was close to receiving a sports scholarship to attend college. Unfortunately, Morgan suffered an injury in his junior season. However as the old adage goes When one door closes another door opens. Music was always a part of Morgan's life as usually is the case when you are a PK (Pastor's Kid).
His tastes were far, and wide, and included Keith Whitley, Eric Church as well as Rap, and Rock.
Morgan had taken music lessons early in life, and revisited his love for it after his baseball hopes came to an end. Wallen would get another shot at success, this time in the form of music. A spot on The Voice was the new door that opened for Morgan. He was so good that Pop Star Shakira, and Usher both wanted Morgan on their respective teams.
At the end Wallen went with Usher, and then with Adam Levine, but did not make the final cut when he pivoted from pop songs to country with Stay from Florida Georgia Line.
All the way in Nashville, the national exposure generated interest in the young singer. Within a year from his appearance on The Voice Morgan was signed to a publishing, and recording contract. Incidentally, he is the most successful Voice participant to date.
Morgan Wallen's first album topped the Billboard Country Album Charts, and peaked at #10 on the all genre charts. He also won the CMA, and IHeart New Country Male Vocalist Award. Morgan was clearly on his way.
But real-life is hardly ever so neat, and nice as human frailty shows no exception of persons. In 2020, just as his career was taking off Morgan was arrested for drunken and disorderly conduct in downtown Nashville. Later that year,
during the height of the Covid19 pandemic, he was not allowed to perform at Saturday Night Live for partying without a face mask.
Other controversies similar to Justin Bieber, Madonna and others almost ended his career as his label suspended his contract. Additionally, The Country Music Association deemed Morgan ineligible for award considerations, and banned him from the award show. Several streaming platforms also pulled his music. And there were many other repercussions. Morgan paid dearly, but often what does not kill you can make you stronger, if you choose to apply the lessons learned to strengthen your character, and ultimately becoming a better person. So far, Morgan has earned 17 platinum records including collaborations across genres.
His Dangerous album has sold over four million copies earning a 4x platinum certification. What's next? A diamond certification for Dangerous? An Entertainer Of The Year nod, and streak? Maybe Morgan will start his own label, and sign other artists.. There are so many more records to break and standards to set, but right now Morgan Wallen is the indisputable top country artist in the world! Check out the video for his latest single below, and his latest 36 track album One Thing At A Time here.