RENOWNED ARTIST AND AVID OUTDOORSMAN GARY MORRIS’ CAPTURES NATURE’S SPIRITUAL CONNECTION IN ANTHEM “I’M IN CHURCH”
Renowned singer, songwriter and Broadway star Gary Morris began his love-affair with the great outdoors when he was three years old. It was the first time his dad took him duck hunting. Now, Gary’s passion for the splendor of nature has been captured in his inspiring new song “I’m In Church.”
Morris compares the tranquility and spirituality he experiences being out in nature to the feeling of being in church. This is the inspiration for the song, featured on his latest album “Sense of Pride.” The worshipful lyrics take the listener to the heart and soul of this authentic artist and outdoorsman.
Gary recalls his first immersion into outdoor sports. “My twin sister and mom waited in our old Chevy. Dad and I walked down a path through the woods to a small pond. No ducks came that day, but my dad helped me shoot a .22 at a stick in the water. It’s still clear as day to me.”
Since that day, Morris’ love for hunting and fishing has not wavered. “Around the age of 10 I got a fiber glass longbow and started hunting rabbits,” he remembers. “At 16, while visiting my relatives in Montana, I discovered fly fishing,” he continued, “throughout college I hunted deer, dove and quail and took to bass fishing.”
Since then, Morris has hunted on all seven continents. He also hosted a TV show on The Nashville Network called North American Sportsman, which ran for five seasons and featured many celebrity guests including Bryant Gumbel and Troy Aikman. Fans can listen to “I’m In Church” by streaming or downloading the album on Apple Music, iTunes, Google Play, Amazon and Spotify.
Below is a recent performance of the song on the international radio show Viva NashVegas hosted by George Hamilton V, recorded live from Kimbro’s Pickin Parlor in Franklin, Tennessee and Gary Morris’ own recipe for elk chili.
“I’m In Church” by Gary Morris
When the wind drifts down the holler and the sun creeps to the Oaks
Quiet turns to chatter
I’m the guest not the host.
A crow caws in the mornin
My decoys set in place
Number fives are waiting
My heart begins to race.
A pitch down then a gobble
Another then a strut.
The decoy does its magic
A single shots enough
I’m in Church
Don’t need someone to join me
Or someone to anoint me
The quiet in the chaos
Is reason to be here
I’m in Church
And this you can’t deny me
It’s holy real inside me
No bricks no mortar here
Just God and guest I’m clear
I’m in Church
Springtime turns to summer
And the waters start to warm.
With the timing of a drummer
The flies begin to swarm.
Choose a fly, a worm or other
The bait is not the game.
It’s a meal, a sport, my lover
I’ll gladly take the blame
I’m in Church
And if you want to join me
There’s no need to anoint me
The quiet in the chaos
is reason to be here.
I’m in Church
And this you can’t deny me.
It’s holy, real inside me
No bricks no mortar here
Just God and guest I’m clear
I’m in Church
Fall grabs me by the collar
These mountains make me smaller
Pines and aspen blind me
Elk above and deer behind me
All these moments still unwind me
December chills me to the bone
Ducks and geese leavin home
Headin south and now I’m waitin
Over quick and that I’m hatin
But soon it starts all again
Hallelujah I can say Amen
I’m in Church
I’m in Church
I’m in Church
- Two pounds finely ground elk
- One yellow one purple onion
- Two finely chopped tomatoes
- One tablespoon minced garlic
- One jalapeño. Remove seeds
- Two tablespoons ground cumin
- One tablespoon cayenne
Whether he is melting hearts with this voice and music, amazing New York City critics with his acting ability, using his outdoor experience to teach others respect for the environment, or using his gifts to help our wounded service men and women through a difficult time in their lives, there is no doubt Gary Morris is impacting the world with his gifts and passion.
AWARDS: Billboards New Male Artist of the Year 1982; ACM Single of the Year 1984 for “Wind Beneath My Wings”
