Joni Morris' Patsy Cline show to be at spiritual center

By L.J. Gambone
Apple Valley Review

While singer Joni Morris admits she honed her musical chops on the sounds of Motown, fate eventually took her down a completely different artistic road. In her 30s, Morris said she discovered her love for gospel and country music and began singing for anyone who would agree to listen.

She performed everywhere from retirement homes and veterans hospitals to fairs and festivals in Stockton and the surrounding area. One thing led to another and Morris, who also is a Patsy Cline tribute artist, found herself on the forefront of a successful show business career beyond her wildest dreams.

“I took a voice class in my 30s and met a few other ladies who wanted to form a singing group,” said Morris, who will perform with the After Midnight Band at 7:15 p.m. Jan. 8 in “A Tribute to the Music of Patsy Cline” at the Hi-Desert Center for Spiritual Living in Apple Valley. “We started doing small gigs and the response was great.

“When I realized the happiness I was bringing to people, I became addicted to being on stage. My career has been even more wonderful than I anticipated.”

Morris has been touring the country for the past 25 years with her Patsy Cline tribute show, as well as her tribute concert to the legendary ladies of country music. Last year, she decided to go into the studio in between road trips and record her first vintage gospel CD, “Currie’s Favour.”

The project, which recently was named “Vintage Gospel CD of the Year 2015” by the Rural Roots Music Association, features an array of beloved Christian classics. Among them are “In the Garden,” “A Closer Walk with Thee,” “How Great Thou Art,” “Amazing Grace,” “I Saw the Light,” “Life’s Railway to Heaven” and the Morris-penned tune, “Hold Me Time.”

“My producer, Richard Currie, kept insisting I record a gospel CD and thought it would go over well,” said Morris. “That’s why I named it ‘Currie’s Favour.’

“If he hadn’t pushed me, I would have never done it. I’m so happy I did because it’s sold better than all of my other albums.”

Morris said she grew up in a Christian household and loved attending church and Sunday school. She also enjoyed learning the old hymns, which she said continue to inspire her to this day.

“I always sing a gospel song or two in every show, even in my Patsy Cline tribute,” said Morris. “People always seem to enjoy them and I love singing them.”

According to Morris, her critically acclaimed “A Tribute to the Music of Patsy Cline,” draws sellout crowds at concert halls, casinos and nightclubs across the U.S. She said audiences have expressed appreciation to her for the way she beautifully and respectfully recreates the music of Cline in her own, unique way.

“I present Patsy’s music in a way that is stylistically similar to hers,” said Morris. “But I’m not trying to impersonate her because there will never be another Patsy Cline.

“People tell me I do a great job at bringing across the feeling and emotion of her music while staying true to my own artistic sensibilities.”

Tickets for Joni Morris and The After Midnight Band are $25 general admission and $35 VIP, which includes preferred seating and parking, as well as a post-concert reception with Morris and her group. Lawton Jiles, an Upland-based songwriter who co-wrote several songs for Patsy Cline, will open for Morris at 6 p.m.

Call 760-242-2302 or visit https://www.ticketriver.com/event/18103 to reserve tickets.