Gramps Morgan was one of the guest artist on Buju Banton’s Long Walk To Freedom Tour. The Morgan Heritage frontman checked in with WMV for a quick chat following two sold out performances at the UBS Arena in New York City on July 13 and 14. He says he will be joining Buju on the next phase of his career for 15 dates on The Overcomer Tour set to begin August 23 at the Amerant Bank Arena in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Reflecting on their longstanding relationship, Gramps shared, “It’s a very emotional and fulfilling feeling. Our relationship is based on more than music. We are kindred spirits and have so much in common when it comes to music and many aspects of life. We love family, we love our country, and we always put God first in everything we do. That’s a great place to start an amazing relationship.”
The two have been touring together, for over a decade having collaborated on the songs 23d Psalms (1999), and Sweet Hour Of Prayer (2008). “This is not the first tour we have done together. In 2010, we did the Rasta Got Soul tour, and now we have the opportunity to touch the road once again in the United States. Nothing has changed; the mission continues.”
Thinking back to the beginnings of their friendship, Gramps said, “I met Buju over 30 years ago, but we’ve become very close since 1997. I recall the first time meeting him backstage at the Spirit of Unity Tour in New York City, which I believe was in 1995.”
Discussing the origin of their song “Psalm 23,” a spiritual rendition of lyrics from the Psalm of David in the Holy Bible, Gramps shared, “After many years of knowing Buju, it was always my dream for us to sing a song together. It never happened until he called for us, Morgan Heritage, to go on tour with him in the UK as an opening act. When we met in the lobby, the chemistry was instantaneous.”
The Myrie – Morgan relationship is also based on a shared value for health and fitness. “The first thing he wanted us to do was to teach him how to do some push-ups that I used to stay in shape, and he loved it. We continued to talk for hours until he said it’s time to rest or we’d have a bad show that night. After returning from that tour, we went back to Jamaica.”
They later went to record the song spontaneously after Buju showed uptown Gramp’s Jamaican house one early morning. “He came to see me in Meadowbrook one morning around 6:30 and said I should get up to make some music. We sat on the bench in the studio parking lot, began to sing this song, and said this is your part. We took it to Donovan Germain at Penthouse Records and recorded the song. The rest is history.”
Looking ahead to future tours, Gramps confirmed, “Yes, I will be on the tour. In what capacity, we will announce that very soon. Stay tuned to my Instagram page and website.” The excitement continues as they prepare for the next phase of their journey together.
Tickets for Buju Banton’s The Overcomer Tour are now on sale via Ticketmaster.
