By Dean Poling
LAKELAND — Considering Gary Morris has performed only six shows this year, some may wonder why the man whose versatile voice has carried him to stardom in opera, on Broadway, and in country music would give a rare performance in Lakeland?
Two words: Larry Lee.
In addition to being a world-renowned entertainer, Morris is an avid outdoorsman with his own hunting-fishing show, “North American Sportsman.” A few years ago, he attended a Quail Unlimited event in Albany and someone told him that he had to meet Larry Lee.
Lee is a Lanier County resident and CEO of Bankshares. At the time of Morris’ first visit, Lee was preparing to quarter Lanier’s old high school gym, transport those pieces from Downtown Lakeland to the city limits, and convert those transported quarters into the Jim & Mary Threatte Civic & Art Center.
In a recent telephone interview with The Valdosta Daily Times, Morris said he considered the proposal “insane.” Still, he was so impressed with Lee’s commitment that Morris promised a return to Lakeland to perform a benefit concert for the project.
Better than his word, Morris has returned and performed several times to help raise money for the center, which opened its doors a couple years ago.
During his last Lakeland performance, he offered one of his guitars for auction with an additional promise to return again for a private show and a public show.
The offer pulled in several thousands of dollars, leading to the Lakeland concert later this month.
While Morris believes in the center, he developed a friendship with Larry and Ann Lee. He goes hunting with him, spends time with the family, eats fried foods with them, and will likely perform at the Lees’ church on the Sunday morning following the public concert.
“Larry’s this magnificent guy,” Morris said. “He’s one of the most generous people anyone could ever meet. And he believes in his community. He doesn’t just talk about doing something. He does it.”
In years past, Morris played night after night, town after town, singing his way into a multi-faceted career.
He is the man who originally performed the hit “Wind Beneath My Wings,” as well as 16 Top 10 hits and five No. 1 singles, which include “Baby Bye Bye,” “100 Percent Chance of Rain,” “Leave Me Lonely.”
He astounded many critics and audiences by starring opposite Linda Rondstadt in the New York Shakespeare Festival production of the Puccini opera “La Boheme.” Then, he took Broadway by storm, playing the lead of Jean Valjean in “Les Miserables.”
Given his every night road work as a country singer, the opera world did not know how to take him at first. Accepting the “La Boheme” role, producers asked Morris how many nights he would be able to sing. He asked how many nights a week the show would run. The producers answered seven nights a week.
“I said, ‘Well, I guess I’ll sing seven nights a week.’ They said a tenor usually only sings two or three performances a week in opera. I said, ‘If the show plays seven nights a week, I’ll sing seven nights a week.’”
These days, Morris sings more often in the recording studio than on stage. His latest project has been a series of gospel albums.
He now plays about 10-20 shows a year, adding again that, so far, he’s played only six this year.
For the Lakeland show, Morris says he will perform some of his must-play country hits. He usually picks a song or two from “La Boheme” and performs “Bring Him Home” from “Les Mis.” He plans on playing a few Christmas songs since the season is upon us.
He will perform alone with his guitar and his voice, and Morris is looking forward to performing in Lakeland.
“I come to Lakeland because I like it there,” he says. “I have a fun time with the Lees. I get to hunt. I get to eat all of this fabulous tasting food ... everything is fried. It’s a special place.”
SHOWTIME
Gary Morris performs in concert.
When: 7 p.m., Nov. 21.
Where: Jim and Mary Threatte Civic & Art Center, Lakeland.
Ticket: $10, available in advance from Farmers & Merchants Bank, The Junction, and the Lakeland-Lanier Chamber of Commerce.
More information: Call (229) 482-1184.
