Steven J. Morse (born July 28, 1954 in Hamilton, Ohio) is an American guitarist, best known as the founder of the Dixie Dregs, and the guitar player in Deep Purple since 1994.
Morse's career has encompassed rock, country, funk, jazz, classical, and fusion of these musical genres. In addition to a thriving solo career, he enjoyed a brief stint with Kansas in the mid 80s.
Morse's father was a minister and his mother a classically trained pianist; b...
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Steven J. Morse (born July 28, 1954 in Hamilton, Ohio) is an American guitarist, best known as the founder of the Dixie Dregs, and the guitar player in Deep Purple since 1994.
Morse's career has encompassed rock, country, funk, jazz, classical, and fusion of these musical genres. In addition to a thriving solo career, he enjoyed a brief stint with Kansas in the mid 80s.
Morse's father was a minister and his mother a classically trained pianist; both were also psychologists. The family moved to Tennessee, then Ypsilanti, Michigan, where Morse spent his childhood. Although familiar with piano and clarinet, Morse ultimately became interested in guitar.
Morse worked briefly with his brother Dave in a band called The Plague until the family moved to Augusta, Georgia. In the late 60s, he played in a band called Three with his older brother. Enrolled in the Academy of Richmond County, he met bassist Andy West and, together, they formed the nucleus of the Dixie Grit, adding keyboardist Johnny...
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