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Steven J. Morse is a rock guitarist, best known for his position as guitarist in the Dixie Dregs. His career has encompassed rock, country, funk, jazz, classical, and fusions of these genres. In addition to a thriving solo career, he has enjoyed a brief stint with Kansas and has worked with Deep Purple since 1994.

Biography

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Morse was born July 28, 1954 in Hamilton, Ohio. His father was a minister and his mother a classically trained pianist, both psychologists. The family moved to Tennessee, then Ypsalanti, Michigan where Morse spent his childhood. Although familiar with piano and clarinet, he became interested in guitar and his real musical career began. He worked briefly with his brother Dave in a band called The Plague until the family moved to Augusta, Georgia. Enrolled in Richmond Academy, he met bassist Andy West and together they formed the nucleus of Dixie Grit, adding keyboardist Johnny Carr, guitarist and vocalist Frank Brittingham with Dave Morse drumming. However, this effort was shortlived, since covering Led Zeppelin, Cream and the like limited their ability to get higher-paying dance gigs. West and Morse continued to play as a duet billed as the Dixie Dregs until Morse's expulsion from school in the 10th grade for refusing to cut his hair enabled his enrollment at University of Miami's School of Music.

During the 1970's, The University played host to a number of future influential musicians, including Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorious, Bruce Hornsby and others. Andy West soon enrolled and with Morse collaborated in a lab project entitled Rock Ensemble II, along with drummer Bart Yarnall, keyboardist Frank Josephs and violinist Allen Sloan. Rehearsing and performing

Morse's compositions at school brought some attention to his credibility as a composer. The group compiled a recording used for promotional efforts in 1975. This recording was eventually released as The Great Spectacular in 1997.

Dixie Dregs

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Upon Morse's graduation in 1975, he and West officially named the group Dixie Dregs. A fellow alumnus, Rod Morgenstein replaced the injured Bart Yarnall and the band commenced performing on a very regular basis, interspersing their compositions with covers of McLaughlin and southern rock gems. Despite their decidedly non-commercial intent, an increasingly heavier performance schedule eventually led to the attention of Capricorn Records recruiters and in late 1976 the group was signed by the vaunted southern rock label.

Their first effort for Capricorn (Free Fall) established Morse as an important newcomer to the fusion genre not only for his compositional skills but for his consummate musicianship. Considered a pivotal jazz fusion piece in a genre gone cold, his tunes are bright, complex and fresh. Critically acclaimed, the album showed little commercial promise and in 1978, What If was released. Widely considered The Dixie Dregs finest album, Morse's playing had matured into something a bit more than what defined fusion at the time. Southern rock, classical, folk and country elements combined to form a cohesive and complex pastiche of passionate and highly listenable music. Though supported by a tour, record sales remained flat but gained Morse and the boys an invitation to perform at Montreux Jazz Festival July 23, 1978. The recorded performance was released the following year on Night of the Living Dregs. Capricorn bellied up in late 1979, and the Dixie Dregs were stranded without a label.

Enter Arista, who signed the band to record 3 albums in 1979. Production control was handed to Morse and Dregs of the Earth was released in May, 1980. All 8 tracks were written by Morse and the album peaked at number 27 on Billboard's Jazz Album Chart. Arista became increasingly concerned about Dixie Dreg's album sales and pressured the band to change their name to simply "The Dregs" in an attempt to address the band's visibility in the public eye. Unsung Heroes brought an additional 8 Morse compositions forward in early 1981, but the name change did little to address Arista's worries. The Dregs were compelled to add lyrics to their next effort, appropriately titled Industry Standard (1982), an apparent reference to executive and management oversight of the creative process. Despite this, Morse's compositions on Industry Standard are often considered more akin to his evolving solo work than Dregs collaborations and the album stands out to critical and public praise.

Industry Standard was voted Best Guitar LP by readers of Guitar Player Magazine in their Annual Reader's Poll that year. Additionally, Morse was voted Best Overall in the same poll, an honor that he would enjoy for 5 consecutive years (until, it is rumored that he was banned from further competition).

Steve Morse Band

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Having fulfilled their commitment to Arista, the band succumbed to the pressures of constant gigging and disbanded in early 1983 and Morse began putting together the Steve Morse Band, a trio with Jerry Peek (bass) and Doug Morgan (drums). Rod Morgenstein soon replaced Morgan, and they began recording The Introduction in September. The group toured Germany in early 1984 with Morse conducting clinics and the group was signed by Elektra, who released The Introduction mid-year. A second German tour began in December, 1984 and Stand Up was released in 1985. This effort included guest vocalists and guitarists (Eric Johnson, Alex Ligertwood, Peter Frampton, Albert Lee, Van Temple), and violinist Mark O'Connor. The Steve Morse Band opened for a Rush tour starting in December, 1985 with Terry Brock on vocals in support of the album, but by early 1986 the group had disbanded. Morse toured briefly as a solo act from March until June.

Kansas

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Morse joined Kansas for a new album (Power) in mid-1986. He had worked on Walsh's first solo effort (Schemer-Dreamer) after Walsh had left Kansas 6 years earlier over creative differences and Walsh's return signaled a fresh start for the band. Kansas toured in support of the album in early 1987. After Morse performed at Montreux Jazz Festival, he scaled back his musical career and got a job flying passenger airplanes for a southern regional airline. Continuing his musical projects on the side proved challenging considering Morse's notoriety. Voted first in the Overall and Country categories in Guitar Magazine's 1986 Readers Poll had shown that although Morse was not a household name, his mastery of the guitar had not gone unnoticed.

Morse's entry into the mainstream job market was short-lived, and he remained as busy as ever. He performed with Lynyrd Skynyrd in late 1987, The Dregs reunited for a tour in mid-1988 and Morse continued in the recording studio with Kansas. In the Spirit of Things" was released later that year, followed by a tour in early 1989. Meanwhile, Morse was ramping up his solo efforts, culminating in 'High Tension Wires' (1989) with a new Steve Morse Band (Dave LaRue on bass, Van Romaine on drums). He quit Kansas and toured in support of his effort.

Solo Work

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The start of the '90's marked a prolific and creative period for Morse. Through 1995, Steve Morse Band continued to release albums, and the Dregs reunited in 1994 for their first album containing original tunes in over 10 years.

Deep Purple

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In 1994, Deep Purple was left without a guitarist when Ritchie Blackmore quit the band in the middle of a tour. Joe Satriani served as a quick replacement to finish the tour, but Morse was invited to audition. Their first album together (Purpendicular) was released in early 1996 and Morse contributed to the band's writing credits.

In 2003 Steve together with Jimmy Barnes, Bob Daisley, Lee Kerslake and Don Airey started the Living Loud Band in a self titled tour (and album).

Discography

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  • The Great Spectacular - Dixie Dregs (1975) Formally released in 1997.
  • Hotels, Motels And Road Shows (1978) Compilation of heavy metal and southern rock artists. Dixie Dregs' Refried Country Chicken, recorded live at Fox Theatre in Atlanta, GA, May 3, 1978.
  • Schemer-Dreamer - Steve Walsh (1980) Morse backs Walsh's first solo effort after departing Kansas.
  • I Wonder How Does Tarzan Shave / Cool In The Movies - Patrick Walsh (1981) 7" Single
  • Kamikaze Christian - The Rob Cassels Band (1983)
  • Storytime - T Lavitz (1986)
  • Power - Kansas (1986) Steve Walsh's return to Kansas after a 6 year absence. Morse co-writing credits on many tracks.
  • Surveillance - Triumph (1987)
  • Southern By The Grace Of God: Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute Tour-1987 - Lynyrd Skynyrd (March 21, 1988)
  • Divided We Stand - The Dregs (August 29, 1989)
  • Guitar's Practicing Musicians (1989) Compilation including Steve Morse performing Southern Steel.
  • Guitar's Practicing Musicians Vol. 2 (July 5, 1991)
  • Guitar Speak III (December 10, 1991) Various artists. Morse's 'Morning Rush Hour'
  • Rock Guitar Greats (February 26, 1992) Compilation of various artists. Steve Morse Band's Arena Rock
  • Guitar On The Edge Vol. 2 (1992) Compilation of various artists. Dixie Dregs' Bloodsucking Leaches
  • Lone Ranger - Jeff Watson (March 10, 1992) Morse guests on 2 tracks.
  • Bring 'Em Back Alive - The Dregs (July 14, 1992)
  • Coven, Pitrelli, O'Reilly - CPR (1993)
  • Thonk - Michael Manring (February 1, 1994) Morse backs bassist Michael Manring's first solo effort.
  • Carmine Appice's Guitar Zeus (1995)
  • Tales From Yesterday - A View From The South Side Of The Sky(August 24, 1995) Morse covers Mood for a Day and The Clap on this Yes tribute effort featuring various artists.
  • Crossfire - A Tribute To Stevie Ray (July 23, 1996) Various artists perform Stevie Ray Vaughan tunes. Morse covers the instrumental Travis Walk.
  • Working Man (August 6, 1996) Various artists tribute Rush.
  • Animal Magnetism (1996)
  • Signatures - Kevin Crider (1996?)
  • The Carols Of Christmas (1996)
  • Deep Purple Live at the Olympia '96 - Deep Purple (June 9, 1997)
  • aLIVE Down South (July 29, 1997) A compilation of southern rock bands. Dixie Dregs' Take It Off the Top and Macon Bacon
  • The Carols Of Christmas II: A Windham Hill Collection (August 12, 1997) Morse performs It Came Upon a Midnight Clear.
  • King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents - The Dregs (September 16, 1997) Recording of a Dregs performance in 1979.
  • Merry Axemas - A Guitar Christmas (1997)
  • Storm - Torden & Lyn (1997)
  • Fingerstyle Guitar Number 25 (1997) Magazine with CD
  • Jazz Fusion Vol. 2 (June 10, 1997) A compilation CD. Morse on Introduction (Steve Morse Band) and Take It Off the Top (Dixie Dregs).
  • Guitar Battle (March 17, 1998) Morse plays with Michael Lee Firkins on a Weather Report song.
  • King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Kansas - Kansas (October 20, 1998) Recorded on February 14, 1989 at the Tower Theater in Philadelphia, Pa. Morse plays violin on Dust in the Wind in addition to guitar credits.
  • Guitar Techniques (April, 1999) CD that came with magazine
  • Rock Guitarists Forever Best (1999) Compilation
  • Total Abandon (Live in Australia, 1999) - Deep Purple (October 4, 1999) Live in concert on April 20th, 1999 at Melbourne Park in Australia.
  • California Screamin' - The Dregs (February 1, 2000)
  • Live in Concert with LSO - Deep Purple (February 8, 2000) Recorded live at two sold out shows at the Royal Albert Hall on September 25 and 26, 1999, which were benefits for the Nordoff-Robbins Trust. Two disc set contains almost the entire concert which featured the 80 piece London Symphony Orchestra and special guests Ronnie James Dio, Sam Brown and Eddie Hardin.
  • Total Abandon Australia '99 - Deep Purple (May 26, 2000) DVD of Deep Purple's live show on April 20, 1999 at Melbourne Park in Australia
  • Major Impacts - Steve Morse - (July 11, 2000) Original compositions by Morse, each emulating a different guitarist whose style influenced his own.
  • In Concert With the London Symphony Orchestra (1999) - Deep Purple (August 15, 2000) DVD of Deep Purple's live show at the Royal Albert Hall September, 1999.
  • Bombay Calling - Deep Purple (October 3, 2000) DVD filmed in Andheri Sports Complex, Bombay, India on April 8, 1995.
  • Seventh Key - Seventh Key - (May 15, 2001) Billy Greer's (Kansas, Streets) first solo attempt.
  • Nylon & Steel - Manuel Barrueco - (May 27, 2001) Morse duets with classical virtuoso Barrueco on 3 Morse and 1 Victor Valls composition.
  • Warmth In The Wilderness - A Tribute To Jason Becker (October 2, 2001) Prodigy Jason Becker's fight with ALS (aka Lou Gehrig's Disease) robbed him of his ability to play guitar at 20 years of age. This 2 CD set is an assemblage of guitarists whose donated work benefits Becker's family.
  • Feeding The Wheel - Jordan Rudess (October 23, 2001) Dream Theatre's Rudess hosts several guest players on his first solo attempt.
  • The Soundboard Series - Deep Purple (October 26, 2001) 12 CD set
  • Live at the Rotterdam Ahoy 30/10/00 - Deep Purple (November 7, 2001)
  • New, Live and Rare: The Video Collection 1984-2000 - Deep Purple (2001) DVD
  • 20th Century Masters: The Best Of The Dixie Dregs - Dixie Dregs (March 26, 2002)
  • Perihelion (August 13, 2002) - Deep Purple Recorded at Sunrise Musical Theatre, Sunrise, June 5, 2001
  • Sects, Dregs & Rock 'n' Roll - Dixie Dregs - (December, 2002) DVD
  • Major Impacts 2 - Steve Morse (February 24, 2004)
  • Living Loud - Living Loud (June 7, 2004)
  • Rhythm Of Time - Jordan Rudess (August 31, 2004) Morse joins other special guests on this virtuouso keyboardist's solo album.
  • Sail On The 30th Anniversary Collection - Kansas (2004)
  • Live Encounters - Deep Purple (October, 2004) DVD recorded at Spodek, Katowice, Poland on June 3, 1996
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