Morgan John Evans (born 24 April 1985) is an Australian country music singer and songwriter. He released a self-titled debut studio album in March 2014, which peaked at number 20 on the ARIA Albums Chart. Evans married US-born country pop singer-songwriter, Kelsea Ballerini, on 2 December 2017 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and they reside in Nashville. Also in that month Evans released a single, "I Do", which references his marriage.

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 1984–2010: Early life and career beginnings 1.2 2012–2016: Debut studio album 1.3 2017–present: Upcoming second studio album 2 Personal life 3 Discography 3.1 Albums 3.2 Extended plays 3.3 Singles 4 Awards 4.1 APRA Awards 4.2 CMC Awards 4.3 ASTRA Awards 5 References 6 External links Biography 1984–2010: Early life and career beginnings

Evans was born on 24 April 1984 in Newcastle.[1] He has a younger brother, Tom, who is also a musician playing bass guitar.[2] At the age of 13, Evans performed his first gig.[3] Whilst attending Warners Bay High School he was in a local rock trio, Extortion, which won a state high school band competition, Youthrock, in 2002.[2]

Extortion were renamed, Solver.[2] As of 2006 Evans provided lead vocals and guitar in that group, Tom was on bass guitar and a friend, Nicholas Cook, was the drummer.[2] The band won Artist of the Year and Best Rock Act at the MusicOZ Awards of 2006.[3]

In 2007 Evans won the Road to Tamworth competition and for his prize he flew to Nashville to record a single.[3] He was signed to Sony BMG and released his debut extended play (EP), Big Skies, in September 2007.[4] The title track received airplay on Australian country music radio stations.[3]

2012–2016: Debut studio album

In January 2012 Evans released his second EP, Live Each Day, through Warner Music Australasia. This was followed in August of that year by a third EP, While We're Young. Evans supported Taylor Swift and Thirsty Merc on their Australian tours. He was named the New Oz Artist of the Year at the 2013 CMC Music Awards.[5]

In March 2014 Evans released a self-titled debut studio album in March 2014, which peaked at number 20 on the ARIA Albums Chart.[6] At the 2014 CMC Music Awards he won the Oz Artist of the Year, Male Artist of the Year and Best Australian Video of the Year.[7] His track, "Like a Tornado", was short-listed for the Vanda and Young Songwriting Competition of 2014.[8]

He hosted the CMC Music Awards for three consecutive years, from 2015 to 2017.[9] He is the 2016 Country Music Association Global Artist of the Year and has won five fan voted Country Music Channel Awards, including Male Artist of the Year.

2017–present: Upcoming second studio album

Following his relocation to Nashville, Evans signed with Warner Music Nashville in May 2017, which led to the release of his debut US single, "Kiss Somebody".[10]

Evans released a single, "I Do", on 8 December 2017. He explained via Instagram that it was written, "about his girlfriend, recorded it about my fiancée, releasing it about my wife" Kelsea Ballerini, whom he married on 2 December 2017 in Mexico.[11][12] Drew Fitzgerald from One Country felt, "The track sums up everything found in that simple vow: falling in love, what he loves about his new wife Kelsea Ballerini, and his hope for their lifelong union" adding "Look out for this one at every 2018 wedding."[13] Courtney Carr from The Boot described it as, a "feel good", explaining, "Evans uses those two sacred words not only as a wedding vow but to show the progression through which every happy relationship goes."[14] It appeared on the ARIA Singles Chart top 100, No. 16 on the ARIA Digital Tracks, No. 8 on the Australian Artist Singles and No. 4 on the Hitseekers Singles charts.[15] In August, Evans released his fourth EP titled, Morgan Evans EP'.

Personal life Evans and Kelsea Ballerini being interviewed by Planet Country with Big Stu and MJ before they hosted the 2016 CMC Awards together in Brisbane, Australia. The romance was made public by Ballerini shortly after.

Evans married American country pop singer-songwriter, Kelsea Ballerini, on 2 December 2017 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.[16] They had started dating in March 2016 and were engaged on Christmas Day of that year. The couple reside in Nashville.[17]

Discography Albums Title Details Peak chart positions AUS[18] AUS Country [19] Morgan Evans Released: 14 March 2014 Label: Warner Australasia (5419611352) 20 1