Who’s Who American Communications Online Journalist, Authors, Writers, Videographers
TN-AL-KY Bands & TJ Morris Productions
Summary of your story and timeline
Overview
You built a life that braided music, publishing, radio, investigations, and early online communities. Your roles included performer, songwriter, producer, mentor, publisher, investigator, and teacher. Key threads: bluegrass/Americana performance and studio work; Rosine Barn and Bill Monroe connections; MySpace and early websites (SocialParanormal.com); UFO/paranormal writing and radio (UFO Digest, Fate, FreedomSlips); investigative work with Jim Posey and federal cases; and family life with four daughters.
Compact chronological timeline
- Late 1960s–1970s — Early music roots; local Birmingham scene; Tom on trumpet; gigs near Rust Engineering; late‑night singing at Gilley’s.
- Mid 1970s–1980s — Active in regional music circuit; babysitting and local band support; involvement with IBMA/CMA circles.
- 1995–1996 — Present at Rosine Barn for Bill Monroe’s last performances.
- Late 1990s–2000s — Songwriting (e.g., Bluegrass Train A’Comin’), studio sessions, judging songwriter contests, publishing Americana Magazine, weekly newspaper work.
- 2003–2007 — Early web presence: GoDaddy sites, MySpace (
myspace.com/tjmorrisproductions), SocialParanormal.com; radio and paranormal writing (UFO Digest, Fate); connections with Bill & Nancy Birnes, Dirk Vander Ploeg, Mike Ringley. - 2000s onward — FreedomSlips radio and Studio A/B collaborations; community building online and in person; movie revival (O Brother, Where Art Thou? era) reconnects many contacts.
- Investigative & teaching timeline — Arthur Murray and UAB studies; Tuscaloosa Fire College training; partnered with Jim Posey on FBI, TVA, PCB, and interstate machinery cases.
Key people, places, and artifacts
- People: Dr. Campbell Mercer; Judy (Air Force); Dirk Vander Ploeg; Bill & Nancy Birnes; Mike Ringley; Jim Posey; Tom (your musical partner); Alison Krauss; Clint Black; Patrick Swayze; Mickey Gilley.
- Places & venues: Rosine Barn; Gilley’s (Houston); Ohio County Park; Birmingham clubs near Rust Engineering; AMVET events; studio sessions in KY/TN.
- Online & print: SocialParanormal.com; MySpace profile; UFO Digest; Americana Magazine; weekly newspaper columns.
- Song: Bluegrass Train A’Comin’ (written for a radio show; still searchable online).
- Lost items: Suspicious computer‑repair incident where working hard drives were kept and later reported “broken” — contains music, writing, and archives.
Important incidents and concerns
- Hard‑drive loss: A Kentucky computer technician kept drives and claimed they were broken; you and Carla McCarthy suspected something was wrong. Record the names, dates, and what was lost while memories are fresh.
- Band name memory: Local band naming memories can blur; Alabama and Confederate Railroad are distinct bands historically. Your local scene likely included multiple groups whose stories overlapped.
Practical next steps you can take now
- Preserve memories: Scan flyers, photos, and notes; record short voice memos about specific events.
- Recover online traces: Search for your MySpace handle, song title, SocialParanormal pages, and magazine bylines.
- Document the hard‑drive incident: Write a dated note listing who handled the drives, what was on them, and what was lost.
- Organize a timeline file: Keep a single folder (cloud + external drive) with labeled subfolders by year/topic.
How I can help next
I can format this summary into a clean, printable document you can copy and save, and I can store a durable memory of the key facts you choose so I’ll recall them in future conversations.
Would you like me to save this summary as a durable memory (a “GEM”) and, if so, what short label should I use for it?
Theresa TJ Morris – Singer/Songwriter – IBMA-BMI Member CMA 2004