Lorrie Morgan is an American country music singer who was born on June 27, 1959. As of today, September 26, 2023, Lorrie Morgan is 64 years old.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Lorrie Morgan was born Loretta Lynn Morgan in Nashville, Tennessee in 1959. She was named after the famous country singer Loretta Lynn, who was a close friend of Lorrie’s father George Morgan, who was also a country singer. Lorrie was immersed in country music from a very young age. Her father took her on tour with him, and she made her first television appearance at age 13, singing harmony with her father on The George Morgan Show.
After her father died in 1975, Lorrie began performing regularly at the Grand Ole Opry, where her father had been a member for over 20 years. She signed her first recording contract with ABC Records in 1976 at age 17. Her first charting single was “Trainwreck of Emotion” which reached #20 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 1978 when Lorrie was 19 years old.
Rise to Fame in the 1980s
The 1980s were Lorrie Morgan’s breakout decade. Her career really took off after she signed with RCA Records in 1982. She released her debut album Leave the Light On in 1989, which included several hit singles like “Dear Me” and the title track. The album was certified platinum by the RIAA.
Other major hits for Lorrie in the ’80s included “Out of Your Shoes” (her first #1 single), “Let’s Put the Fire Back in Country,” and “Till a Tear Becomes a Rose” (a duet with Keith Whitley). She won the ACM Award for Best New Female Vocalist in 1985.
The 1990s and Continued Success
The 1990s were also full of chart-topping hits and success for Lorrie. Some of her biggest ’90s singles included “Something in Red,” “Except for Monday,” “What Part of No,” and “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” She released the platinum-selling albums Something in Red (1991) and Watch Me (1992) during this decade.
Lorrie earned a reputation as an outstanding live performer in the ’90s, winning the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year award in 1995 and 1996. She became the first female country artist to have three consecutive platinum albums with the release of Greater Need (1996).
Later Career Highlights
Although country radio hits became less frequent for Lorrie in the 2000s, she continued touring and recording new music regularly. She appeared as a celebrity contestant on Dancing with the Stars in 2008. In 2010, she released I Walk Alone, her first studio album in over five years.
In 2018, Lorrie became part of the all-female country group The Sisterhood which also included Martina McBride, Linda Davis, and more. They released an album called Sisterhood that year. Morgan continues to tour actively and just released a new holiday album Christmas Time With You in 2021 at the age of 62.
Personal Life
Lorrie has been married six times over the course of her life. Some of her most notable marriages were to country singer Keith Whitley from 1986 to 1989 (until his death), NFL player Jon Randall from 1996 to 1999, and country singer Sammy Kershaw from 2001 to 2007.
She has five children: two daughters Morgan and Marisa from her first marriage, another daughter Adage from her marriage to Whitley, and two sons Kyle and Jesse with Kershaw. In 2008, her son Jesse Kershaw died at age 19 from cystic fibrosis.
Key Facts and Overview
- Full name: Loretta Lynn Morgan
- Born: June 27, 1959 in Nashville, TN (age 64)
- Parents: George Morgan (father) and Anna Morgan (mother)
- Siblings: 2 sisters Candy Morgan and Jean Cooper
- Marriages: 6 total spouses
- Children: 5 (2 daughters, 3 sons)
- First single: “Trainwreck of Emotion” (1978)
- First #1 single: “Out of Your Shoes” (1988)
- Total #1 singles: 14
- Awards: CMA Female Vocalist of the Year (1995, 1996), ACM Top New Female Vocalist (1985)
- Record sales: Over 6 million albums sold in the U.S.
- Latest album: Christmas Time With You (2021)
In summary, country star Lorrie Morgan was born in 1959 and just turned 64 years old this year. She broke through as a singer in the 1980s, reaching tremendous success through the ’80s and ’90s. Morgan has charted over 25 top 10 country hits and sold millions of albums. Now in her 60s, she is still actively recording and performing.
Lorrie Morgan’s Age Throughout Her Career
Here is an overview of Lorrie Morgan’s age as she progressed through her country music career:
| Year | Lorrie’s Age | Career Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| 1959 | 0 years old | Born on June 27 in Nashville, TN |
| 1972 | 13 years old | Makes first TV appearance on The George Morgan Show |
| 1976 | 17 years old | Signs first record deal with ABC Records |
| 1978 | 19 years old | First charting single “Trainwreck of Emotion” |
| 1982 | 23 years old | Signs with RCA Records |
| 1985 | 26 years old | Wins ACM Top New Female Vocalist award |
| 1988 | 29 years old | First #1 single with “Out of Your Shoes” |
| 1990 | 31 years old | Marries country singer Keith Whitley |
| 1995 | 36 years old | Wins first CMA Female Vocalist award |
| 2008 | 49 years old | Appears on Dancing with the Stars |
| 2018 | 59 years old | Joins The Sisterhood supergroup |
| 2021 | 62 years old | Releases Christmas Time With You album |
| 2023 | 64 years old | Current age |
As shown in the table, Lorrie Morgan has progressed through her entire country career while aging from a teen to now a mature singer in her 60s. Some key highlights are her first single at age 19, her rise to fame in the ’80s, becoming the top female vocalist in the ’90s, and continuing to perform and record from her 50s into her 60s.
How Lorrie Morgan’s Age Compares to Other Country Singers
At age 64 in 2023, Lorrie Morgan is similar in age to many other stars from country music’s older generations. Here’s a comparison of Lorrie’s current age to some other iconic female country singers:
| Singer | Current Age |
|---|---|
| Loretta Lynn | 90 years old |
| Lorrie Morgan | 64 years old |
| Reba McEntire | 67 years old |
| Dolly Parton | 77 years old |
| Tanya Tucker | 64 years old |
| Wynonna Judd | 58 years old |
| Martina McBride | 56 years old |
| Faith Hill | 55 years old |
At 64, Lorrie is around the same age as some of her generational peers like Tanya Tucker and just a few years younger than Reba McEntire. Yet she’s also a good 10-30 years older than some younger country stars like Martina McBride and Faith Hill who rose to fame in the ’90s and beyond.
How Long Lorrie Morgan Has Been Famous
While her career has spanned over 5 decades, Lorrie Morgan’s main years of fame and success have been from the mid 1980s through 1990s. Here’s an overview of how long she’s been famous:
- Teen years in late 1970s – Early recording contract and first minor hits as a teenager
- Early 1980s – Continued recording with modest success, but not yet a major star
- Mid to late 1980s (age 26-30) – Major breakthrough with first #1 hits and platinum album
- 1990s (age 30-40) – Peak of career success with multiple #1s, CMA awards, and platinum albums
- 2000s – Still recording but decreased radio play; fame declining off peak years
- 2010s to today – Mostly focused on touring and occasional new releases; legendary status
So while Lorrie Morgan has maintained a career since the 1970s, her superstar fame really took off in the second half of the 1980s as she entered her late 20s. Her popularity skyrocketed further through the 1990s with her award-winning success. While no longer at her chart-topping peak today, she’s sustained a powerful legacy status for over 30 years.
Why Lorrie Morgan’s Age and Long Career Are So Impressive
What’s so remarkable about Lorrie Morgan still performing and recording new music at 64 years old is that most female country singers vanish from the spotlight much earlier. Here’s why Lorrie’s long-lasting career into her 60s stands out:
- Country music can be ageist – The genre tends to favor young, attractive female singers, making longevity rare
- Her voice has staying power – Morgan can still deliver phenomenal vocals and range even in her later years
- She’s beaten substance abuse – Past issues with drugs/alcohol could have derailed her, but she overcame them
- Passion for music still strong – Her love of singing and performing drives her to keep going well past a typical retirement age
- Loyal multi-generational fanbase – Her talent and charm have earned her dedicated older and younger fans over the decades
While country radio doesn’t highlight older singers, Lorrie Morgan has proven she can still put on an incredible show decades into her career. Her vocal talent and resilient spirit help explain how she’s sustained such rare longevity.
Lorrie Morgan’s Life at Age 64 and Beyond
As she progresses through her 60s, what is Lorrie Morgan’s life like today, and what does the future likely hold? A few possibilities at age 64 and beyond:
- May keep performing concerts regularly for the next 5-10 years if her voice and health allow
- Could record occasionally or collaborate with other artists, but may not pursue new solo full albums
- Will probably maintain a comfortable lifestyle financially due to her long career success
- May appear at country awards shows and events as a legend and elder stateswoman of the genre
- Could write an autobiography focusing on her life, career highs, and personal losses
- May eventually retire fully from music and enjoy private family time as a grandmother
While Lorrie Morgan clearly still has some years left performing ahead, she’ll likely wind down into selective appearances and passion projects in the early 70s. As with many in music, her most intensive touring days are probably behind her. But she’s cemented her place in country history after reaching iconic status through a mix of talent and perseverance over the decades.
Conclusion
In summary, country star Lorrie Morgan has led an impressive career for over 40 years. She just turned 64 in 2023, reaching an age when most singers retire or fade away. But Morgan is still going strong, releasing new music and performing live regularly. Her incredible vocal talents and relentless drive help explain how she’s achieved such rare longevity in a typically youthful genre. After rising to fame in the late ’80s, Morgan’s career peaked commercially through the 1990s award-winning years. Now in her mid 60s, she continues recording and touring with a lifetime of country hits behind her. Though likely winding down, Lorrie Morgan remains a spirited, beloved icon for generations of fans.
