User:Pjmorton

BIO

When you are raised as a preacher’s kid, the burden of expectation bestowed upon those labeled PK’s can be overwhelming. For young, gifted and blessed musician, producer and entrepreneur PJ Morton, there were no such obstacles known as labels. The only expectation he conformed to was following his own heart and dreams to fully discover his gift and love for music. Over the years the accomplished New Orleans native set himself apart to create melodic stories of love and life as he worked with India.Arie, Erykah Badu, Jermaine Dupri, Monica and LL Cool J. Now with his own fifth album release on S.O.S. Music entitled Walk Alone, PJ continues to share his heart, experiences and stories with the masses.

Walk Alone is a deeply personal album entirely written, produced and performed by PJ. The highly anticipated concept album symbolizes the breadth of PJ’s self-expression as well as his creative choices with music beyond the confines of labels. “In the state of the world I feel alone because of the way I choose to do music with true instrumentation. Creating stories and lyrics with meaning feels like a minority not a majority.” Born into a musical and ministering family as the middle child and only son of Bishop Paul S. Morton, PJ’s journey has always reflected his desire for self-discovery and introspection. “My father and family always allowed me to be me, and music was my outlet for creativity.” Bishop Paul S. Morton, Sr. is also the founding, presiding Bishop of one of the fastest growing ministry movements in America, the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International.

The prodigy has been playing the piano since the age of 8 and his first song placement came at 15 with gospel group Men of Standard. Simultaneously, PJ became an independent publisher when his father co-signed for the creation of 2PM Music, which represents two Paul Morton’s. Committed to his craft, PJ utilized the proceeds from his publishing deal to reinvest in himself by creating a band, hitting the road and connecting to one fan at a time. By 2003, the Morehouse College marketing graduate made an indelible mark having won a Grammy Award prior to graduation. He subsequently released his first album with his group Freestyle Nation which fostered a further awareness of major label independence.

Describing his music as “soulful pop,” PJ proclaims is a trick answer. Desiring his music to exist where the soul and heart of the music aren’t bound by genres, yet still be palatable to a popular audience. One of PJ’s most soulful creations came in 2002 when the songwriter wrote for India.Arie. “Interested” garnered PJ a Grammy Award for the production of the record. He also penned for gospel singer DeWayne Woods. The testimony PJ articulated in “Let Go, Let God,” catapulted up the charts for a record seventy weeks, rewarding both gentlemen with awards and accolades beyond their own expectations. As PJ recalls, “I knew that was God’s hand on everything because there was such a synergy.”

Synergy has proven to connect PJ with some very talented people. The Grammy, Stellar and Dove Award winning songwriter/producer caught the attention of internationally recognized, Oscar Award winning composer AR Rahman (Slumdog Millionaire). AR tapped PJ the vocalist to contribute “Sajna” to the soundtrack and movie for the Vince Vaughn comedy Couples Retreat, further broadening PJ’s mainstream appeal.

Now with four albums and multiple collaborations under his belt, his company Song Of Solomon (S.O.S.) Music is a true representation of PJ’s creative journey. “Music is the focus and everything else comes from that. Song of Solomon in the Bible are loves songs from a believer. I want to represent that and take music back because there’s not a platform for artists that are believers. Either you have to be gospel or whatever else you are labeled.”

The Atlanta resident took time to open his heart and express his philosophy on the matter in his self published book, Why Can’t I Sing About Love: The Truth About The Church Against Secular Music on Name Sake Publishing. PJ invested seven years as a labor of love before he began to grasp the biblical aspect of his songs. Finally his light bulb moment drew him to connect the dots on the page in a labor intensive three weeks. He describes the process a, “my passion. It’s what I had lived, so I found new connections in the Bible that would lead me to the next thing, so it wasn’t hard to write.”

Just as PJ’s life observations are clearly articulated in book form, the same is true of his songwriting and production capabilities as they reflect an organic and authentic experience. “More than an autobiographical writer, I’m a storyteller. I like to watch people and observe life and then I sprinkle some of myself in there.” Instantly captured by the title track “Walk Alone,” the instrumentation builds in intensity to eloquently express the sentiment of solitude on the universal journey toward self exploration. As the drums pound, PJ’s reflections are clear and relatable.

Listening to PJ Morton’s music, there is a distinct connection to his most powerful musical influence, Stevie Wonder. Directly drawn to musician/ songwriters, of Stevie he admits “he indirectly taught me how to write songs and be an artist. It was a spiritual experience hearing him play and write songs that are really saying something.” That influence can be heard on “I Need Your Love,” as PJ communicates a man’s vulnerability in the love he has for his woman.

As a newlywed, PJ penned the melodic “Forever” for his wife Kortni. “It’s a true song in the sense that when I was single I dated a lot. First settling into the marriage I questioned, wow, can we do this forever? Getting into it and learning how, I knew this felt right where now, I just understand it. This is one of the few me songs.”

“She’s Gone” ironically is also about Kortni, written during the final stages of their four year courtship. When PJ expressed “I believe she’s serious this time,” he understood in his heart of hearts that he could not be apart from his forever love. Even with the melodic first single, “The One” PJ can’t escape that universal sentiment “about finding that one you can just hang it up with and retire from the game.”

Singer Tweet collaborates with PJ for the reggae inspired “Love You More.” PJ digs beneath the surface, admitting “sometimes you go through things, and once you go through them, you become stronger, you love more after that point.” Quite a refreshing addendum to the familiar I love you sentiment.

As each song carefully blends into the next, “Son of A Preacherman” reflects PJ’s first time publically articulating his relationship with his father. As a sixteen bar rap, PJ flows about his paternal relationship, adding “my father has been the biggest supporter and my biggest inspiration overall because he’s allowed me to be me. I’ve seen so many PK’s who have been hurt or messed up by their father’s being pastors, but I grew in my confidence because of my father.”  Similar to his father, PJ Morton’s ministry is steeped in non-traditionalism as he practices what he preaches. “I’ve always felt the way you live your life and the choices you make are far more effective than talking.”

With this album Walk Alone as with his entire body of work, PJ Morton is very clear and direct. “I want people to know it was a calling. It wasn’t just me bucking the system. It was always about loving God, having a relationship with God, being a Christian and having a life without the guilt of being bound to what people consider to be religious…Love is my constant message. I believe it can genuinely change the world.”

As of July 2010, PJ is now the 6th member of Maroon 5, playing keys and singing background vocals.

Discography

Song Artist Album Label +Sajna - AR Rahman/PJ Morton - Couple’s Retreat Soundtrack - Universal @ Footprints in the Sand - Ruben Studdard - Love Is - Sony Records @ Dear John - Musiq - On My Radio - Atlantic @ Right Here - Mary Mary - The Sound 2 - Sony @ This evening - Johnta Austin - Ocean Ave. - Virgin Getaway - Monica - Pieces Of Me - J Records @ So Amazing - Jagged Edge - Jagged Edge - Columbia Don't lose your Candlestick - Men Of Standard - Feels Like Rain - Muscle Shoals @ Change - Kierra “KiKi” Sheard - This Is Me - EMI Gospel (Won Dove Award for Urban Album of the Year) ^Simply Because - Darlene McCoy - Darlene McCoy - EMI
 * God Can - Dewayne Woods - My Life's Lyric - Zomba
 * Lost - Dewayne Woods - My Life's Lyric - Zomba
 * What Kind Of Love - Dewayne Woods - My Life’s Lyric - Zomba
 * Walk Alone - PJ Morton - Walk Alone - SOS Music
 * Girlfriend - PJ Morton - Walk Alone - SOS Music
 * Don't Ever Leave - PJ Morton - Walk Alone - SOS Music
 * She's Gone - PJ Morton - Walk Alone - SOS Music
 * The One - PJ Morton - Walk Alone - SOS Music
 * I Need Your Love - PJ Morton - Walk Alone - SOS Music
 * Love You More - PJ Morton - Walk Alone - SOS Music
 * Son of a Preacherman - PJ Morton - Walk Alone - SOS Music
 * Mountains and Molehills - PJ Morton -Walk Alone -SOS Music
 * Forever - PJ Morton - Walk Alone - SOS Music
 * Let Go -PJ Morton/Bishop Paul S Morton - Walk Alone - SOS Music
 * Essential Neighbor - PJ Morton - Walmart Commercial
 * Make It Work (1-Stop) - PJ Morton - Walmart Commercial
 * Make It Work (Electronics) - PJ Morton - Walmart Commercial
 * Summertime - PJ Morton - Walmart Commercial
 * I Just Wanna Love U - Maestro - TBA - SO SO DEF
 * Let Go - Dewayne Woods - Introducing Dewayne Woods Zomba (4 Stellar Awards)
 * Here I Am Kierra “KiKi” Sheard - This Is Me - EMI Gospel
 * Interested - India.Arie - Voyage To India - Motown/Universal (Won Grammy for Best R&B Album)

Amazing - Darlene McCoy - Darlene McCoy - EMI

I Resign - Bishop Paul S. Morton - Crescent City Fire - Gospocentric

Let Him In - Greater St. Stephen Mass Choir - As For Me And My House - Blackberry Records

A Forgiving God - Greater St. Stephen Mass Choir - As For Me And My House - Blackberry Records ^I Don't Know Why - William Murphy - All Day - Sony ^Changes - William Murphy - All Day - Sony ^Turn It Around - Ted and Sheri- Celebrate - Warner Bros. Fall In The Midst - Compilation Gospel Heritage 2002 @How We Were - Freestyle Nation- Freeversation @Forever - Freestyle Nation - Freeversation ^Common Ground - Freestyle Nation - Freeversation @How We Were - PJ Morton - Emotions @Today - PJ Morton - Emotions
 * Fight On - Men Of Standard - New Day - Muscle Shoals
 * Peace That Calms - Men Of Standard - New Day - Muscle Shoals
 * How Much You Mean To Me - Ted and Sheri - Celebrate - Warner Bros.
 * Why Do I Do -Freestyle Nation - Freeversation
 * Rain - Freestyle Nation - Freeversation
 * Emotions In Disguise - Freestyle Nation - Freeversation
 * Real Love - Freestyle Nation - Freeversation
 * Grass Just Looks Greener - Freestyle Nation - Freeversation
 * Why Can't I Talk About Love - Freestyle Nation - Freeversation
 * Keep Movin On - Freestyle Nation - Freeversation
 * Free - Freestyle Nation - Freeversation
 * Back In Time - Freestyle Nation - Freeversation
 * My Superstar - PJ Morton - Emotions
 * Jiborish - PJ Morton - Emotions
 * I Need to Know - PJ Morton - Emotions
 * Fly Away - PJ Morton - Emotions
 * No Ordinary Love - PJ Morton - Emotions
 * I Think I Am Falling - PJ Morton - Emotions
 * This Feeling - PJ Morton - Emotions
 * Heavenly Father - PJ Morton - Emotions
 * Good Days Bad Days - PJ Morton - Emotions
 * Inside Your Heart - PJ Morton - Emotions
 * I Need You - PJ Morton - Emotions
 * Mirror, Mirror - PJ Morton - Emotions
 * Talking Forever - PJ Morton - Emotions
 * Risk - PJ Morton Band - Perfect Song - Brash Music
 * Make Her Mine - PJ Morton Band - Perfect Song - Brash Music
 * Wanna Be Witcha - PJ Morton Band - Perfect Song - Brash Music
 * Mary - PJ Morton Band - Perfect Song - Brash Music
 * Blah, Blah, Blah - PJ Morton Band - Perfect Song - Brash Music
 * Here For You - PJ Morton Band - Perfect Song - Brash Music
 * In A Box - PJ Morton Band - Perfect Song - Brash Music
 * Runnin’ - PJ Morton Band - Perfect Song - Brash Music
 * Two Hearts - PJ Morton Band - Perfect Song - Brash Music
 * Perfect Song - PJ Morton Band - Perfect Song - Brash Music
 * Last Dance - PJ Morton Band - Perfect Song - Brash Music
 * Start Over Again - PJ Morton Band - Perfect Song - Brash Music
 * Destiny - PJ Morton Band - Perfect Song - Brash Music

no indication: written only ^produced only @ co written +vocal performance only My Albums: Freeversation, Emotions, Emotions Special Edition, Perfect Song, Live in LA, Walk Alone
 * produced and written