Morris Mott
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Morris Mott

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Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


"Award winner to perform at St. Matthew's"

By SHEILA RHOADES
Friday, June 10, 2005 11:22 PM EDT

On Sunday, Morris Mott, winner of the 2003 New Male Vocalist award in Christian country music, will bring his own style of "faith country" music to St. Matthew's United Church of Christ.

Mott, a Missisippi native and current Plainfield resident, will perform during the 10:15 a.m. service at the church located at 1717 N. Wabash St. His Faith Country concert will begin at 6 p.m.

Over the years, Mott has been influenced through classic country, bluegrass, classic rock and today's country sound.

While growing up in Mississippi he played bass and rhythm guitar for various Southern gospel groups. When he moved to Indianapolis, he formed a bluegrass group and sang lead vocals.

In a recent telephone interview with The Plain Dealer, Mott, now 39, said he became a Christian at the age of 16. Just two days short of his 18th birthday he went into the ministry. He was ordained at the age of 19.


His plan was to become a doctor and was actually enrolled in college for pre-med, all the while preaching in Mississippi churches.

"I would fill in for churches without pastors and they would often ask me to stay," he said. "I was well received, even at that young age.

"There was one church that I kept filling in for their pastor and that was when I decided to stay. The congregation was between 30 and 40. Besides a couple of the children, I was the youngest in the church.

"If the youth group had a pizza party, that meant I would run home and throw a pizza in the oven. I was the youth group," he laughed.

By the time he left the church, however, it had grown to 90 parishioners.

He would later pastor in Terre Haute bringing the congregation from 80 to 240.

In 1998, he met a songwriter from Nashville, who suggested he write music to fit his own "unique musical passion and positive Christian message." He teamed with the talents of James Hightshoe to create his first CD.

In 2002, he released "Beyond Your Dreams," which was met with great success. Three of the CD's singles made it on both national and international Christian country charts.

His second project, "No Limits," was released in 2004. Its success quickly became apparent when select Wal-Mart stores in Indiana, Illinois and Ohio, agreed to carry them.

"Because of my style, I don't think they know where to put me," Mott said. "So they put be between country music, Christian music and Larry the Cable Guy."

Due to his experience as a motivational Christian speaker, he frequents churches and Christian organizations. Last year alone he made about 200 appearances in eight states.

Since his success, however, he has widened his venue appearances to include festivals, rodeos and other places where country music and a positive message are appreciated.

Mott hopes to always "present a positive, faith-building message backed by the contemporary Nashville sound." He conservatively estimates that his ministry reaches between 10,000 and 15,000 a year. The total excludes CD sales.

He said he wanted to offer those listening to mainstream country music "a little something different on Sunday," and plans to continue touring the country. He is already booked through 2005.

Mott and his wife of 14 years, Angela, have a 5-year-old son, Jace.


- Wabash Plain Dealer, Wabash, IN


Discography

"Beyond Your Dreams" released September 2002.
Three Country Christian charting singles released from that project. The singles received airplay and charting in the states and abroad.
"No Limits" to be released late September 2004.

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

Morris Mott comes from a diverse musical background having been influenced by various genres. Musical influences range from classic country, bluegrass, classic rock and today's country sound.
Growing up in Mississippi, he played bass and rhythm guitar with various Southern Gospel groups. After moving to Indianapolis, he formed a bluegrass group, in which he sang lead and played rhythm and lead guitar. Through all those years, his love of Country music remained strong.
In 1998, he met a songwriter from Nashville who suggested that they begin to write music with lyrics and melodies that fit Morris' unique musical passion and positive Christian message. "Faith Country" was born. The first project, "Beyond Your Dreams" met with great success. Three singles were released to Christian and mainstream radio stations through compilation discs and independent mailings. All three releases charted on various Christian Country Charts, both nationally and internationally.
His venues are normally churches or Christian organizations, due to being an experienced and noted motivational Christian speaker. In 2004, he made about 200 appearances in eight states. In this settting he intertwined the music with the message. However, since receiving the New Male Vocalist Award in Christian Country music for 2003 and the airplay success, the music venues are expanding to include organizational functions, fairs, rodeos and other places where country music is desired and a positive message is appreciated.
His high energy selections and smooth country ballads connect with audiences of various musical genres and demographics. A comment often heard following one of his concerts, "I usually don't like country music, but I like your type of country."
Morris completed recording his second project, "No Limits" in Nashville during June 2004.