9 Things You Didn’t Know About Morgan Wallen

1. His real name is Morgan Cole Wallen

Morgan Wallen was born as Morgan Cole Wallen on May 13, 1993, in Sneedville, Tennessee. He grew up in a musical family and began singing in church when he was just three years old. His father was a preacher and his mother was a teacher, and they both encouraged his love for music. When he was 14, he started playing guitar and writing his own songs. He also graduated from Gibbs High School, where he played football and was named as an all-state linebacker.

2. Morgan Wallen is from a small town in Tennessee

Sneedville, where Morgan Wallen grew up, is a small town located in the northeastern part of Tennessee. It is part of Hancock County, which is one of the least populous counties in the state. Despite the town’s small size, it has produced several notable musicians, including country singer Gary Morris.

3. Morgan Wallen used to work in construction

Before his music career took off, Morgan Wallen worked in construction, notably landscaping with his father. He has said that the job taught him the value of hard work and that it helped him appreciate the opportunities he has now. He also said that working in construction was a good way to stay in shape, as it required a lot of physical labor.

4. Morgan Wallen currently has a son with his ex KT Smith

Wallen was in a long-term relationship with KT Smith, and the couple welcomed a son together in July 2020. However, they have since broken up and Wallen is now dating someone new.

In addition to his personal life, Wallen has also faced legal troubles. In May 2020, he was arrested outside Kid Rock’s bar in downtown Nashville for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. He later apologized for his behavior on social media.

Despite the ups and downs, Wallen remains a popular and successful artist in the country music world, with a dedicated fan base and numerous chart-topping hits to his name.

5. Morgan Wallen got his big break on The Voice

Back in 2014, Morgan Wallen caught the attention of millions when he competed on season six of the popular music competition program, The Voice. He belted out a soulful rendition of “Collide” by Howie Day and wowed the judges with his raw talent. Judges Shakira and Usher were particularly impressed with his unique stylings, and he ended up joining Usher’s team.

However, Wallen’s journey on The Voice was not without its bumps. After making it through the second round, he was taken by Adam Levine’s team, but was later eliminated during the playoffs. Despite this setback, Wallen remained undeterred and was quoted as saying: “Some things in life are out of your control. Being the best you can be isn’t. I didn’t feel like I was the best I could have been. So I practiced harder.”

Despite not making it all the way on The Voice, the show was instrumental in raising Wallen’s profile and establishing connections in the music industry. It was a crucial stepping stone that helped launch his career in the world of country music.

6. Morgan Wallen’s most popular song is “Thought You Should Know”

Morgan Wallen’s latest hit, “Thought You Should Know,” has been making waves in the country music scene. The song, released as a promotional single on May 6, 2022, and officially sent to country radio on November 7, 2022, is the second single from Wallen’s third studio album, One Thing at a Time.

Co-written as a tribute to his mother Lesli, “Thought You Should Know” features the songwriting talents of Miranda Lambert and Nicolle Galyon. The lyrics reflect on Wallen’s change in personality and attribute it to his mother’s upbringing. The song’s accompaniment features slide guitar and acoustic guitar.

The track has already made history, debuting at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated for May 21, 2022. “Thought You Should Know” is Wallen’s fourth single to debut at the top of the chart. Additionally, the song replaced Wallen’s “Wasted on You” at the top, making him the first artist to replace himself at the top with a No. 1 debut. As of December 31, 2022, the song entered the Top 10 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, while Wallen’s previous single “You Proof” was at number one.

“Thought You Should Know” showcases Wallen’s talent as both a singer and songwriter, with fans eagerly anticipating what he’ll do next. With its heartfelt lyrics and catchy melody, it’s no wonder the song has quickly become a fan favorite.

7. Morgan Wallen apologized when he was caught using a racial slur

In April 2021, Morgan Wallen made headlines after donating a whopping $300,000 to the Black Music Action Coalition. This came in the wake of a surge in album sales after he was caught on video using a racial slur. The donation was made in the names of 20 people who had counseled him following the incident. These individuals were given the option to funnel their respective $15,000 donations to a charity of their choice or keep the money within the BMAC. This move was seen as a positive step towards redemption for Wallen, who faced significant backlash following the incident.

Since then, Wallen has been on a journey of self-reflection and growth. He publicly spoke about his comments on Good Morning America in July 2021, where he admitted that he was wrong to express those words. He stated that he was around some of his friends, and they say dumb stuff together, but acknowledged that this was no excuse for his behavior.

Despite the controversy surrounding Wallen, his music remains popular among country music fans. His songs returned to country radio in August 2021 with the release of his single “Sand in My Boots.” He was even nominated for Favorite Male Country Artist and Favorite Country Album at the 2021 American Music Awards, although he was not invited to attend the ceremony and was consequently unable to accept any awards if he won, which he did not.

The incident has also led to positive change within the country music industry. In response to Wallen’s use of a racial slur, writer Holly G. founded the Black Opry in April 2021. The website and touring revue are dedicated to Black country music artists, and it aims to promote diversity and inclusivity within the genre. This is a welcome development, and it shows that even in the face of controversy, positive change can still emerge.

8. Morgan Wallen has not won a Grammy (yet)

Despite his success, Morgan Wallen has not yet won a Grammy award. However, he has been nominated for several other awards, including the CMT Music Awards and the Academy of Country Music Awards. He has also won several awards from the Country Music Association, including the New Artist of the Year award in 2020.