This story is about connecting people to music, a restaurant, an open mic night that birthed a band, and the recording studio they inspired.
Morgan Hudson is taking the region by storm and has the world in her grasp. Earlier this year, Hudson took a chance on her dreams, invested in her determination and passions, and started a new career path as she entered her late 20s, which seems to be paying off for the singer-songwriter.
She was raised around music and learned how to play at a young age. This songstress, who enjoys sharing stories of her heart through song, got her start in music, like many players, by taking piano lessons. “I started taking piano lessons when I was young; I was 7 when I started taking lessons and loved the piano. But, when my dad brought home a guitar for me, that was it for me.” Hudson has been partnering with the six-stringed instrument ever since the age of 11, and today, she is following a calling on her heart to share songs they create.
I first heard her name while conversing with Chuck Phillips, who, at the time, was working with the singer-songwriter on her first EP in his new studio. That was when the project started in 2021. 2022 would be logged as an epic year for the singer-songwriter. Just before Hudson released the "Price of Love," we became Facebook friends. Since then, I have been watching her timeline, but a person's Facebook feed is an unreliable source for getting to know the backstory of people’s lives.
Getting to know people and their stories rarely happens with a single conversation, but it starts there. Since the end of June, I have been working on compiling a story about a Greenville-based artist, the restaurant she assisted in walking music through the doors, an open mic night that started her band on the stage she helped make famous, the restaurant team that joined her on this adventure with music, plus the recording studio they've all created.
The story starts just over two years ago when Hudson got a call from a mutual friend of Ryan Giffin, who was getting ready to launch his restaurant brand with a team of food service friends, some he had just met and others he had known since college. Nash Hot Chicken opened on 5th St in downtown Greenville in Spring 2022. Griffin wanted to incorporate music in his business model from the start, and Hudson helped fill the bill.
Nash opened their first location where Crossbones Bar twice stood at 114 E 5th St. in downtown Greenville. By the end of 2022, they had also rebranded a second location. Nash Hardee Crossing is located just off 10th St. at The Crossing.
During the opening months at the 5th St. location, Giffin and his manager Kurt Hauser offered live music twice daily for a couple of months, every night of the week. "That lasted a hot two months," Griffin confessed. There was not enough profit to cover those expenses.
Griffin's idea was to create a Nashville-style restaurant with southern comfort food, a full bar, and a fully equipped stage with lights and sound available for area acts and artists. He invites players to his stage any Tuesday or Wednesday. During our interview, the positive thinker and motivator said, "Rather than calling it an 'Amateur Night,' I consider our off nights to be our 'Rising Stars Evenings.'" He explains, "Our stage is open to any artist who wishes to come out and share their songs. In return for their time, we offer a beer and dinner." When you visit the restaurant's website, you will notice a LET ME PLAY button above their monthly calendar. So, if you have some time off and want to check out that new song in a live setting, come to Nash any Tuesday or Wednesday. This is still a standing offer to anyone who'd like to come down to share some songs on an off-night.
Hudson has been a driving force on the music scene. She leads the charge with a compassionate heart and a deep love for the people around her. Since meeting in late June at High Water Social, where her band, MoCo, closed out the first night, Wally Palooza 2 entertained my questions on messenger and sat with me before her open mic night on Wednesday at Nash Hot Chicken in Greenville. She also helped me corral the band into the new Nash Studios for a quick Q&A one Friday morning a few weeks ago.
When I finally met Hudson, I slid into her DM and asked many questions to get to know her better.
TS: Are you on top of the world yet?
MH: “I am so grateful for how this last year has gone for me musically. I’ve made a lot of hard decisions and life changes. This has been a creative year for me. I left my job full-time to pursue music, focus on booking, and gain clients for the studio, and I still see hospice patients occasionally a few times a month when needed. I feel like I’m living my life now and can enjoy the process. The support I have received from the community has been amazing.”
TS: What's left on the bucket list?
MH: “I guess the question is, what isn’t? I look forward to finishing an album I started at Nash Studios, making more music videos, touring next year, and figuring out how to make that happen. Red Rocks Amphitheater is my goal! I want to keep creating and making music that connects people with their real-life emotions.”
TS: You are one of the hardest-working musicians on the scene. Where does that passion and drive come from? How do you keep it all straight?
MH: “Thank you. I’ve never been one to sit still. I know that nothing changes if nothing changes. I know that my version of success depends entirely on what I put into it. At least, I can say I tried. And if this is “as good as it gets,” no matter how hard I work, it’s still pretty good, and I am grateful 🙂”
TS: Tell me about the studio.
MH: “Nash Studios is my second home. I am so grateful that Ryan and Kurt asked me to accompany them on this journey. I'm super grateful Brian Burke was also able to be a part of it! Those are the three best bandmates I could ever ask for. Now we get to be a part of a studio that can help creatives create music and cultivate a sense of community amongst artists here in ENC.”
TS: Is there a label, too?
MH: “Not yet. There may be talk of one in the works… 😉”
TS: What can you say about Ryan's investments in our area musicians? He seems to do it on a level not often seen anywhere. Is that fair?
MH: “Ryan Griffin is one of the hardest-working businessmen I know. I joke around and tell him he is also the big brother I never had! Ryan understands people and truly cares. For him, it’s all about the dream and the bigger picture. We need more people like that in this world. He wants to see everyone win, and I respect that about him so much. It’s why we can write and play good music together.”
TS: When did you meet Ryan?
MH: “I met Ryan when construction for Nash Hot Chicken was underway. We had a mutual friend who told me Ryan was opening a restaurant and wanted to connect with musicians in the area. I remember coming down to 5th Street to meet Ryan. I had a yellow notepad, and I had written a list of local musicians in the area for him to contact about playing."
TS: How do people like that help change the scene?
MH: I came to open mic one night, and Ryan, alongside Kurt Hauser, also owner of Nash Hot Chicken and now our drummer, hopped on stage with me to play a few songs, and… the rest is history! I knew I wanted to be in a band with them. Our on-stage chemistry just rocked. They got it. We needed a bassist, so I asked my good friend Brian Burke, AKA Back Pocket Buddha, to join the band. Brian is a fantastic songwriter and skilled musician; I greatly value his opinion and guidance. All four of us together create what feels like magic sometimes.”
TS: Tell me about the studio. How did it come to be?
Ryan and Kurt had mentioned how cool it would be to have a studio to record the music we had been working on with the band. The building next door to their restaurant opened, and they went for it. They asked me to be a part of the vision, and I was in. Kurt Hauser, drummer for our band and co-owner of Nash Hot Chicken, is one of the best producers I have ever worked with. He has produced his music for over ten years, and his sound engineering and production skills are unmatched. How amazingly lucky can I be to have a very skilled producer and drummer like Kurt, a badass lead guitarist with business knowledge like Ryan, and a seasoned musician of many instruments with music theory knowledge and songwriting skills like Brian, to not only be a part of the studio, but a band that I am so lucky to be a part of? These guys are invested in my vision of music, and I am grateful for that.
TS: What's ahead?
MH: " I see more music, bigger shows, and collaborations on the horizon.”
TS: If you could advise young musicians, what would it be?
MH: "Play the music you want to play. Your passion will shine through, which is what people want to see. Be authentic. And make music that makes people uncomfortable with their emotions. Don’t stop creating; don’t take yourself too seriously. Just work hard and stay positive. You’ll make it.”
TS: You're terrific. I appreciate any time you have to spare for me. Thank you.
Hudson has been on a roll since I met her earlier this season. Since then, she has appeared on the local news for a local music segment. She teamed up with area Outlaw Lonnie Britton and released this duet, “Lonely Together.” Thanks to Mary Shine for capturing their effort live.
The songwriters are competing to be Rolling Stone Magazine’s Next Top Hit Makers. At press time, I could not find Britton's link, but Hudson is leading the charge in her category and might be the next hitmaker we can claim as our own! Please vote in her favor by clicking her name above for the link.
This songstress has hosted Nash's Open Mic Night every other Wednesday for the past year. This week, she passed the torch to colleague Wally Peterson, who will take the helm as host starting Wednesday, August 14. This change occurred after Greenville was hit with some hard news earlier this week: Restaurant, Sport's Bar, and music venue AJ McMurphy's have folded forever. Peterson has been hosting open mic there each Monday since taking that torch from John Williams in 2022.
If there is one thing that I can say about the Pitt/Beaufort County music scene, it is that they are kind and tight-knit. They all look out for one another. This is just one example of the love and kindness they share for each other. One of the first open mic hosts I met in that area was Brian Burke in 2016 when he started hosting the open mic night at Back Water Jack's in Washington. The music man is still the host each Thursday night, with music at 6:30 pm, and this is part of the reason that harmony exists on the scene. Many have modeled and extended the support circle by adopting some of the songwriter's philosophies.
It's remarkable that this band also shares an open-mic story for the books. Neither of Nash's business partners knew of the other's musical abilities. Griffin and Hauser found common ground and chemistry in setting the stage for hosting an open mic. Griffin was still learning guitar, and Hauser had been a long-time beatmaker, so when they stayed after setting the stage for open mic night, they enjoyed the result. The next night, the entrepreneurs joined her while Hudson was on stage, creating even more magic. Since then, they have formed MoCo, and now the quartet is lifting an entire music scene to new heights with their collaborative efforts at Nash Studios, LLC.
If you have a band or solo project that you are ready to share with the world but need some help and direction in recording a product, Nash Studios is ready to help. Hudson welcomes all interested parties to see what services they are offering. When I asked about booking time, she told me she'd rather meet the acts in person to take them on a facility tour and learn more about the project. Just reach out to book your tour today at (252) 559-0410.
For local music fans looking to watch history as it happens, keep your eyes on this girl. I believe she is going places.
Kommentare