George Taylor Morris

George Taylor Morris passed away on Saturday August 1, 2009 from throat cancer. For those of you who are not familiar with GTM he was the morning DJ on the best radio program to ever grace the airwaves, Deep Tracks, on XM satellite radio. Between GTM in the morning and Earle Bailey in the afternoon and evening, radio did not get any better than this. George had this low gravely voice that wrapped around you like a familiar hug from an old friend. When he talked you listened because he was teaching you something about Rock and Roll music that you never knew before. He was a Rock and Roll historian. But unlike most DJ's he only spoke when he had to. He didn't talk just to hear himself talk like Pat St. John, or Pat Suck John as I like to refer to him.

Many mornings while I was driving to work I would think boy I haven't heard a certain song in years and within the next couple of days GTM would play the song. It was like he could read your mind and know what you wanted to hear. My hour to two hour trips to the construction sites I was working on were some of the most enjoyable hours of my day because of George Taylor Morris.

In the early years of Deep tracks I could write GTM and Earle Bailey an e-mail requesting a song and tell them when I would be listening and low and behold my song would be played. Yes, this was a magical time for music aficionados. We had a station playing the underground music that we wanted to hear without commercials. We had two voices that were comforting to listen to and we were gaining knowledge of Rock and Roll from two of the great historians of our time. This was a dream come true for George Taylor Morris and for his listening fans.

George also hosted a radio segment called "Artist Confidential" where he would have different bands join him in the studio. George would interview the bands and let them play their music. George had a way of coaxing the best out of the musicians. He would get them talking about subjects that fans wanted to hear about. Since George was so knowledgeable about the different bands he could ask questions that produced a certain flow between the artists and George. The conversations always felt as though it was just two old friends sitting down and having a beer and discussing Rock and Roll. George always seemed as though he was friends with the artists, he was on the inside with them. Not just an outsider trying to get an interview. Artist included Paul McCartney, Graham Nash, Faith Hill, Bob Weir, Willie Nelson, Odetta, Pink and Little Feat plus others.

GTM played the music that we all wanted to hear. If the song was being played on FM radio you did not hear it on Deep Tracks. If you heard a band on FM radio, Deep Tracks would play the band but a "B" side cut that you had forgotten about that was good. George also played new music that you could not hear anywhere else ie. the Stone Coyotes and Gov't Mule. Yes George you are one of the greats in the music industry.

George I have missed you since Sirius took over and you retired. Sirius ruined your station by hiring DJ's that want to talk to much and have nothing to say. Their voices are irritating. They play music that belongs on a station called Light Tracks or Lame Tracks not Deep Tracks. Since when did REO Speedwagon and Kansas belong on Deep Tracks? Sorry George, but radio will not be the same without you. I am really going to have to consider whether I am going to renew my contract with XM, Sirius radio. They are killing a good thing.

George I loved you for all of the joy you brought into my life by playing the music I wanted to hear. My condolences go out to George Taylor Morris's family, friends and fans. I wish I could hear the interviews George is doing now with the likes of Hendrix, Harrison and Joplin. Rest in peace George.

PS. If you can catch the tribute to George Taylor Morris by Earle Bailey do so. Earle did a fantastic job of catching the essence of George Taylor Morris and what Deep Tracks was all about.