Country music sensation Morgan Wallen has released a statement from his duck hunting trip to address the unauthorized release of a “10th Anniversary” edition of his Stand Alone EP, a move he vehemently opposes. Wallen, known for his candid and heartfelt music, shared his frustrations about the release and outlined his immediate actions in response.
The artist, who rose to fame with hits like “Whiskey Glasses” and “7 Summers,” revealed that he originally ventured into music in 2014 during a trip to Florida, where he explored songwriting and original music production. This journey resulted in a recording deal with a local investor and an artist management deal, both of which Wallen admits to having signed without legal representation.
Reflecting on the creative process, Wallen acknowledged the mixed quality of the 13 songs produced during that time, stating that he was in the early stages of learning to write music. Despite his reservations about the original work, the artist deemed five tracks worthy for inclusion in the Stand Alone EP, which gained popularity, particularly for the fan-favorite, “Spin You Around.”
Expressing his discontent, Wallen shared that his former colleagues, with whom he parted ways nearly a decade ago, plan to release an anniversary edition of Stand Alone against his wishes. This edition includes eight unreleased songs, and the distribution is facilitated by his former managers. Wallen stressed that he has been tirelessly exploring legal avenues to regain control of the old music and maintain consistency in the quality of his catalog.
The artist went on to describe the situation as “gross, greedy,” and an unfortunate example of how the darker aspects of the music business can impact artists. He expressed concern that fans may mistakenly believe the reissued material is new, emphasizing that it does not represent his current artistic direction.
Morgan Wallen’s Responsive to the Unauthorized Release
- Re-recorded Release: Wallen shared that he re-recorded the fan-favorite track “Spin You Around” in Nashville this week, and it is set to be released on the same night. He expressed gratitude to collaborators Joey Moi and Bryan Sutton for their assistance and humorously mentioned creating the artwork while on his duck hunting trip.
- Generous Donation: The artist announced a $100,000 donation from the Morgan Wallen Foundation to the Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals For The Arts (VLPA) program. This donation aims to support young aspiring musicians, encouraging them not to compromise their creative freedoms for opportunities in the music industry.
- Reassurance of Authenticity: Wallen assured his fans that when new music is ready, they will hear about it directly from him, reinforcing the importance of maintaining transparency in his artistic journey.
