Colonel Robert Morris

Robert Neill Morris, known professionally as Colonel Robert Morris, (December 12, 1954 – October 21, 2013) was an American musician, drummer, singer and songwriter. He was also known as "The Man with the Golden Pen".

Morris was best known for playing drums for rockabilly legend Charlie Feathers and writing and performing the gold record "Trucker’s Last Ride".

Robert Morris was born in 1954 in Whitehaven, Memphis, into a musical environment. His father was a "flat-top" guitarist and a musical associate of with bluegrass legend Bill Monroe. Monroe came often to visit the Morris family, which also influenced Robert early. Another of his father’s acquaintances was Elvis Presley, with whom young Robert once spent a day boating on a nearby lake. His mother died when he was just twelve years old.

Morris started playing drums in Memphis’ clubs early and was strongly connected to the Memphis Blues and helped in creating the "Memphis Sound". During his Memphis Blues days he played with Eddie Bond, B.B. King, Rufus Thomas, Ma Rainey, Little Laura Dukes, Big Sam Clarke and many others. He played regularly at the Shanti Inn in Memphis. He also performed at the Eddie Bond Live Radio Show at the Western Steakhouse Lounge, also in Memphis. Later he played drums for Jerry Lee Lewis, Ronnie Milsap, Charlie Rich and nearly five years for Charlie Feathers. It also was the time when he recorded at Memphis' famous Sun Studios.

In 1988, the Finnish rock band Leningrad Cowboys produced their movie Leningrad Cowboys Go America, which led them directly to Memphis, Tennessee. At this time Robert and his wife Irene owned the "Lonesome Bar" which was used for a scene in the movie. Robert and Irene also have a cameo role in that scene, though they were listed as Mr. and Mrs. Morris in the credits.

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