Who is singer and songwriter Morgan Wallen?
Morgan Wallen, whose full name is Morgan Cole Wallen, is an American country singer and songwriter. Born on May 13, 1993, in Sneedville, Tennessee, he became known nationally after appearing on The Voice in 2014. Wallen is a solo artist whose music blends contemporary country with rock, pop and hip-hop-influenced production. He has released major country albums including If I Know Me, Dangerous: The Double Album and One Thing at a Time, with songs such as “Whiskey Glasses,” “7 Summers,” “You Proof” and “Last Night” becoming prominent hits.
Background/biography
Wallen was raised in Tennessee. His father, Tommy Wallen, was a pastor, and his mother, Lesli Wallen, worked as a teacher. He was exposed to music from an early age and learned instruments including piano and violin as a child.
Before pursuing music professionally, Wallen played baseball and was offered a college scholarship. An elbow injury changed those plans, and he increasingly focused on songwriting and performing. His appearance on the sixth season of The Voice helped introduce him to a national audience; he initially joined Usher’s team before moving to Adam Levine’s team during the competition.
Music career
- If I Know Me (2018), Wallen’s debut studio album, featuring “Up Down,” “Whiskey Glasses” and “Chasin’ You.”
- “Whiskey Glasses” (2018), a country hit that became one of his best-known early singles.
- “7 Summers” (2020), a single that set streaming records for a country song upon its release.
- Dangerous: The Double Album (2021), a 30-track album that spent multiple weeks at the top of the Billboard 200.
- “You Proof” (2022), a country-radio and streaming hit from the Dangerous era.
- One Thing at a Time (2023), which included “Last Night,” “Thinkin’ Bout Me” and the title track.
- “Last Night” (2023), which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- CMA Entertainer of the Year (2024).
After signing a publishing deal and developing his career in Nashville, Wallen released music through Big Loud Records. His work has been commercially successful across country radio and streaming platforms, while his albums have also reached audiences outside the traditional country market.
A record-setting album run
Dangerous: The Double Album became a defining release in Wallen’s career. The album opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 2021 and remained a major chart presence well after its release. Its long commercial run reflected the sustained popularity of songs such as “Sand in My Boots,” “Wasted on You” and “More Than My Hometown.”
Wallen’s career has also included public controversy. In 2021, video footage showed him using a racial slur. He apologized publicly, and his recording contract and radio support were temporarily affected. He later said he had sought education and guidance following the incident.
Fun facts about Morgan Wallen
- Wallen competed on season six of The Voice in 2014.
- He was initially on Usher’s team on The Voice before being stolen by Adam Levine.
- He played baseball before shifting his attention toward music after an elbow injury.
- He learned piano and violin while growing up in Tennessee.
- His song “Last Night” became a Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit in 2023.
