Gramps Morgan Named Tourism Marketing Ambassador For Nashville, Tennessee
Reggae star Gramps Morgan has added another accolade to his illustrious career. The Grammy-winning musician and member of the Morgan Heritage band was recently named a tourism marketing ambassador for the city of Nashville, Tennessee.
“When I’m not in Jamaica, this city is my home,” he told DancehallMag. “The mere fact that music means so much to them and I am able to represent my genre Reggae Dancehall music means a lot to me.”
Known for his soulful voice and impactful lyrics, Morgan has been a trailblazer in reggae music, blending it with country influences in recent years. His solo album, Positive Vibration, received critical acclaim for its fusion of reggae, country, and soul, showcasing his versatility and deep appreciation for various musical genres.
He explained that the appointment emanated from the indelible mark he left following a past performance in Nashville.
“I performed on a show two years ago with a big country band named Old Dominion for the city’s tourism association and that’s where it all started,” he said.
He added that it aligns perfectly with his schedule and other commitments. “There is no specific role on what to do, when they put on events they call on people that live in the city to be a part of representing the city and what it stands for,” he explained.
“There is no specific time on being an ambassador as long as I am part of this city and what’s going on, so I guess you can say for eternity because music will always be a part of my life in this city will always be a part of my life,” he continued.
“There’s no special benefits on being an ambassador and there is no special benefit for me or my bread although it is great opportunities to always perform on major events anywhere in the world. Nashville is no different so for example in 2022 I performed alongside one of the biggest country bands in the world named Old Dominion so there you go that’s a benefit, but it is not every day that your phone is going to ring for something like this,” he reasoned.
Morgan’s deep ties to both reggae and country music make this collaboration particularly significant. His hit single People Like You which features country-inspired elements, was widely celebrated for bridging the gap between the two genres. This cross-cultural fusion aligns perfectly with Nashville’s mission to embrace and promote musical diversity.
Gramps, who is a son of the late Reggae singer Denroy Morgan, was born in Brooklyn, New York, but raised in Springfield, Massachusetts. He settled in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2012.
In 2022, Gramps claimed his Jamaican citizenship, describing it as “one of the greatest days of my life.”