Outlaw                                              Supporting Age Concern/Age UK in Essex           

      The original "Outlaw" featuring "Friday" the Vintage AMG2 resonator used on "A Man Called Morse"

Over the years Ralph has been involved with of a number of bands and solo projects.   Shortly after leaving teaching full time in 2003, Ralph was approached to entertain in the retired community.    In looking for a style of genre that would best serve his audience, Ralph settled on country music.

"As I approached fifty I began to see within the music an honesty and integrity that I had not appreciated before.  When I was invited to perform to older people it all naturally fell into place.  I also found that the narrative writing style suited my own.  It was like coming home."

Outlaw - Cover Songs

There are two distinct aspects to Ralph's alias as Outlaw.  The first is the entertainer in clubs, day centres, residential homes and various retirement venues.   In this respect Outlaw compliments Johnny Cashbox in covering songs associated with or written by Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley, Jim Reeves, Don Williams, Hank Williams and many others.

The following is just a list of the twenty most requested Outlaw covers

1) Help Me Make It Through The Night,   2) Love Me Tender,   3) He'll Have To Go,

4) I Recall A Gypsy Woman,   5) Crazy,   6) Heartbreak Hotel,   7) Distant Drums,

8) I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry,  9) Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain,   10)  Mama Tried,

11) Move It On Over,   12) Always On My Mind,   13) Achy Breay Heart

14) I Believe In Love,  15) My Heart Will Go On,   16) Sylvia's Mother,

17) Take Me Home Country Roads,   18) You Are My Sunshine

19) I Love You Because     20) Memories Are Made Of This/Dance The Night Away

This still is taken from a documentary shown on the BBC in 1993

(Ralph worked as volunteer broadcaster and had his own Sunday morning request programme.)

Outlaw - Original Songs

The second aspect to Outlaw is a singer/songwriter of original country material.    

   "A Man Called Morse" recorded in 2003 is the debut in a series of albums of original material.     

Recorded entirely on a Vintage resonator guitar that creates a unique feel to the album

Two examples :

1)  September 11th                                       (Words and Music by Ralph G. Morse (c) 2003)

2)  Country Boy                                             (Words and Music by Ralph G. Morse (c) 2003)

Please note : These recordings are not  intended to be commercially available, rather they represent a document of Ralph's creative journey.  Sometimes autobiographical, sometimes social commentary,  but mostly  poetic vignettes of pure invention supported by simple melodies. 

                                                                           Every outlaw needs a horse   

Audiences prefer to hear songs they know so Ralph rarely performs original material live unless it is particularly relevant or it is requested. 

But why did he choose "Outlaw"?

"I decided upon Outlaw because the singers intially labelled with that title were the ones with whom I had the greatest empathy and whose music I was most drawn to.  This particularly applies to the four men who became the country super-group "The Highwaymen";       Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson, although I would also add Merle Haggard."

The death of Johnny Cash on 12th September 2003 would result in another musical evolution for Ralph.

If you would like to book Outlaw or Johnny Cashbox you can obtain details through the Contact and Information page.

                                   Ralph Morse is a member of Artslink, Colchester