When GRAMMY® Award-winning reggae artist Roy “Gramps” Morgan and Scottish-born multi-platinum recording artist /producer Johnny Reid met accidentally at a Nashville sporting event, neither envisioned where their partnership might lead. Nevertheless, their discovery of a shared love for songwriting and willingness to take risks has blossomed into a friendship and created one of the most innovative music projects of 2021-A country inspired, reggae infused audio cocktail full of good vibrations. Produced by Reid, and mixed by Grammy nominee Justin Cortelyou, Gramps’ new release represents his first solo outing in eight years. “I grew up listening to soul and reggae music,” Gramps explained, “but when we would make Sunday dinner—we called it ‘rice and peas day’—all we listened to was old reggae and country songs. I developed a great appreciation for country music and always wanted to create music that celebrated both reggae and country.” More importantly, Gramps and Reid want to show how two men from different musical and cultural backgrounds can stand united in brotherhood at a time when the world is again coming face-to-face with the harsh realities of racial injustice. “Johnny and I came together in solidarity to create a soundtrack of positive vibes for all the good people out there,” Gramps said. Reid added: “We want this album to celebrate the goodness that is possible when two people from different cultures stand together.” Released last year “People Like You” was a heart-warming first product of the Morgan-Reid collaboration. Gramps delivered a tribute to two men who lost their lives to COVID-19: a beloved uncle and Morgan Heritage producer Robert “Bobby Digital” Dixon. It was also dedicated to the everyday heroes on the pandemic’s front lines. On the heels of “People Like You,” Gramps released “Runaway Bay,” a love letter to Jamaica incorporating elements of 1950s-skaa, a precursor to reggae. Theses tracks as well as upcoming release, “A Woman Like You,” are offering fans an early taste of this new collection created to celebrate all that reggae and country music have to offer. By flavoring reggae with dashes of country and soul crooning, Gramps hopes to appeal to fans of legendary artists like Ken Boothe, Toots Hibbert, Jimmy Buffet and Kenny Chesney. “I want our music to transport listeners to the beach, sipping rum from a pineapple,” Gramps shared. “An album dedicated to the ‘Islander’ in all of us.”
