A Tribute to Leon Morris
Reprinted from Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine
April 1996, Volume 30, Number 10
It was a cold and snowy December evening in 1980, when I happened upon, what was then, Partners 2 Restaurant in Centreville, Va. Just recently having relocated from upstate New York to Manassas, Va. I was checking out the local forms of entertainment. The sign outside the building advertised “Bluegrass Music Tonight!” Having never witnessed a bluegrass show before, other than what I had seen on television, I decided I would at least check it out.
I found a table near the door where I could exit gracefully if I decided that the music was not to my liking. The emcee, and owner of the restaurant, Arnold Hobbs, was on stage making everyone feel welcome and preparing the audience for the show.
With a dim of the lights came the announcement, “Please make welcome, Mr. Bluegrass International, Leon Morris and Associates!” For the duration of the evening I sat transfixed on the stage. The band, other than being extremely talented, looked as if they were really having a great time! The lightning fast riffs on the guitar and the tight, harmonious vocals were enough to raise goose bumps. The “bluegrass bug” had bitten me in a big way that evening! In four short hours, Leon Morris changed my life and my appreciation for uncluttered wholesome music.
Singer and songwriter, Leon Morris was born in New Toronto, Canada as Leon Morris Lamouroux, and raised in neighboring Simco, Ontario. (The surname Lamouroux was legally changed later in his career to simply Leon Morris, as a more recognizable stage name.) He had come from a family with a musical background with his mother playing piano and older brother quite adept on the flattop guitar. He was influenced at an early age by artists such as Hank Williams, Sr., Roy Acuff, and others who could be heard on the family radio, provided the weather was just right, and the signals could be pulled up from Nashville.
Beginning with his first guitar at age 12, he received guidance from his older brother. Although he had become quite skilled on guitar he soon purchased and mastered the mandolin after listening to and idolizing Bill Monroe. Leon decided to hone in on a particular music style, and bluegrass music seemed to be the favored choice.
Not stopping with the mandolin, the banjo followed shortly thereafter. It was while playing banjo that he met up with Gordie Tapp, who later went on to fame on the television show Hee Haw! With Gordie as host, they played together as members of the Main Street Jamboree televised on channel CHCH based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, from 1955 to 1960.
In 1961, leaving behind family and friends, Leon made the decision to move down into the United States in an effort to expand on his music and audience. This move provided the groundwork for one of his many original songs, “Places And Friends I Once Knew,” which later was expanded into an album of the same title for Country Records.
It was while in Detroit, Mich., that he met Earl Taylor who was playing with the Stoney Mountain Boys. Band members included Walter Hensley on banjo, Vernon “Boatwhistle” McIntyre on bass, Billy Baker on fiddle, and Leon joining in on guitar. The band played Detroit for awhile before deciding to move on to Chicago. Unfortunately, it was not until after arriving in Chicago that they discovered that bluegrass music was not exactly a much sought after form of entertainment. Things were not working out as they all had hoped and jobs were scarce.
Another move seemed to be in order and once again the band packed up for a trip to Kansas City, Mo. Things began looking up for a short time. They played a few weekend dates at the Buckeye Club and at another establishment during the week. When things started slowing down again, frustration was starting to take its toll on the band. It was in Kansas City that the Stoney Mountain Boys went their separate ways.
Leon and Walter ended up in Arlington, Va., where they stayed for awhile with Charlie Waller. Walter hired on with the Country Gentlemen as a replacement for Eddie Adcock while they were playing a regular dale at the Shamrock in Georgetown. Leon helped out on occasion with the Gentlemen, as well as various other groups, while driving for Yellow Cab during the day to supplement his income. It was during this time as a cabdriver that Leon would meet the soon to be Mrs. Leon Morris. Leon and Evelyn married in 1961 and over the next few years would raise five sons. Another boy was taken in at two weeks old and raised by the Morris family.
It was during 1961 that Leon introduced then promoter Jim Clark to Evelyn’s sister Diane, who later became known as “Aunt Minnie.” There is now an annual bluegrass festival held at “Aunt Minnie’s Farm” in Stumptown, W. Va.
During the early ’60s, bluegrass music was still having its ups and downs, “With an emphasis on the downs” according to Leon. He continued to play with various groups in northern Virginia and Maryland areas. For a time, he worked with the Bill and Wayne Yates Band at the Clover Leaf in Alexandria. Band members included at, various times, Porter Church, Bill Emerson, Paul Keller and Don Miller. The band also played at the Arena, booked along with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs. It was also at this time that Leon played with Jack Tottle and the Lonesome River Boys.
In 1968, Leon would team up with Buzz Busby. The band became Leon Morris and Buzz Busby and the Bluegrass Association. They played steadily for two and a half years at what was then Ruby’s Restaurant in Woodbridge, Va. According to Leon, “There was one weekend when Eddie Adcock played with us at Ruby’s just after he had left the Country Gentlemen. That was a great weekend for bluegrass!” At various times during this engagement, band members included Ed Ferris, Tom Gray, Bill Rawlings, Lamar Grier, Dick Drevo, and Fred Geiger.
There were a few recordings done at this time. “Scramble,” written by Busby and “Just For Awhile” by Morris were released as a 45 on the Rebel Label. Another 45 included “Warm Red Wine” and “Mule Skinner Blues” recorded by World Music Records. Material that was recorded and released was later put out as an LP entitled “Honky Tonk Bluegrass” on the Rounder Records label.
When Leon and Buzz split in 1971, Leon decided to go on his own. The name of the band became Leon Morris & the Bluegrass Associates. It was in this year that he recorded the first album of his own. “Leon Morris Sings International Bluegrass” was released by Jessup Records. Four of his original songs included “Lena,” “Sitting Here Waiting For You,” “I Can Feel It In My Heart,” and “Isn’t It A Beautiful Day.”
In between touring of the United States and Canada, he was back in the studio for his second album in 1972. “Walkin’ Home To Pittsburg” was released on the Country Records label. Backup members included Bob Wilkerson—banjo, Frankie Short and Smiley Hobbs—mandolin, Ray Griffin and Gary Henderson—bass and Mike Auldridge on dobro.
“Places And Friends I Once Knew” was released as an album in 1976, also for Country Records. His “Associates” for this recording consisted of Mike Auldridge on dobro, Billy Wheeler— banjo, Larry Stephenson—mandolin, Ray Griffin—bass and Gordon Smith playing drums. Original material included, “I’m Wondering If You’re Ever Coming Back,” “Take Heed To The Bible,” and “I’m Going Home Sweet Home.”
Just after the release of this album, Leon received a call from the White House in Washington, D.C. Leon and Associates were invited to play for the inaugural party held in honor of Jimmy Carter being elected as President.
In 1978, the “Bluegrass Favorites” album was released, also on Country Records. This recording consisted of a more hard-driving bluegrass sound. Backup consisted of Keith Rogers—bass, Billy Wheeler—banjo, Wayne Lanham—mandolin, and Vic Mullen on fiddle.
1983 produced another album simply titled “Leon Morris” for Old Homestead Records. Highlights included, “Dream Of Me,” “Hayride,” a hard-driving banjo tune written and played by Billy Wheeler, and another original by Leon, “Thinking Only About You.” Dave Propst provided mandolin and John Davis, bass.
In July of 1984, Leon and Associates were hired by Roy Rogers to perform as his backup band, in the absence of the Sons Of The Pioneers, for a banquet held at the Marriott Corporation in Washington, D.C.
Leon’s first gospel album was recorded and released in 1986 for Country Records. Two original selections included were, “Heaven Is Waiting For You” and “Dear God.” This album was special in that his wife Evelyn wrote the liner notes as a dedication to Leon.
The latest recording released was in 1992 by Shar Lin Records, owned by longtime friend and musician Billy Wheeler. “The Country Sounds Of Leon Morris” found Leon going back to his country music roots, and combining just the right mix of bluegrass and country music. Original Morris tunes included “Lucifer’s Pilgrimage,” and “Living On Old Broken Dreams.” Musical backup was provided by Billy Wheeler—banjo, bass, and keyboard, Dave Propst and Emory Lester—mandolin and Tom Reeves and Ernie Sykes on bass.
Leon continues to write and perform the bluegrass music he loves so well in the northern Virginia area. It would seem hard to imagine that someone with the history and accomplishments of Leon Morris would be able to write a song entitled “Living On Old Broken Dreams.” Not only would it appear that most of his dreams have been realized, but he has created many more dreams for countless other aspiring bluegrass artists.
Ralph Sutliff, a licensed funeral director and embalmer, was a longtime resident of Woodbridge, Va. He currently resides with his wife Vera in Palm Bay, Fla. Being an avid fan of bluegrass music and an amateur magician, he considers himself a mandolin pickin ’, magician, mortician.
