Norman Patrick Morrison

Norm dedicated his first publication in many years to the memory of his daughter Carly, who was killed in an auto accident in 2002. That work is titled “Dance O Child of God!” That work consists of 14 songs that were either written about his daughter prior to her death or were Carly’s favorites of Norm’s songs while she was still living, or are songs the Lord inspired through experiences that Norm had after her death, including dreams that comforted Norm in his grieving time. Please read the articles about that project, which tell how each song came about and/or the reason why it was chosen to be a part of that special project. In actuality that project was devoted to proclaiming the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus the Christ towards all of us.

Currently Norm is involved in leading worship at his home church, Bridges Community Church in Fremont, CA and leading worship for RECOVERY MINISTRIES at Harbor Light Church also in Fremont approximately once a month. Norm is also involved and a part of the “Band Of Brothers Band” which leads worship for the men’s retreats for his home church.

Norm would love to minister in song for benefits to raise money for missionaries, churches, youth, college funds, education, marriage ministries, homeless shelters, women’s shelters, addiction recovery ministries, etc. Just write to him at address below.

Norman Patrick Morrison has been writing songs, according to his mother, since he was about 3 years old. He is 3rd born of seven children to George and Agnes Morrison. A little red guitar was put into his hands at about 10 years old and with every new chord he learned he wrote a new song. As a boy he enjoyed writing both serious deep thought songs as well as humorous ones.

His early influences as far as lyric structuring and musical composition come from styles while listening to music from the 1950's through the 1970's. Norman's song style overall could be called "folk-rock". Besides the ballads you will often hear a lot of vocal harmonies in Norman's pieces and a very distinct acoustic guitar style. He plays 12 stringed guitar quite a bit as well as 6 stringed guitars. But his styles vary into country, pop, ballads, blues, Mediterranean, and Celtic styles. He is very pleased to see the music he was writing in the 1970's has now come full circle and is the very sound that is playing in contemporary Christian pop music as well as secular music today with a fresh flair. His lyric and poetry writing was his strength and still is to this day along with countless "hook" melodies.

His great uncle Gus Oblak taught him how to play harmonica when he was very young and because of that he grew to love old folk songs because they were the types of songs that were available to learn on harmonica. Often when camping with his family his father would ask him to play songs like "Green Beret" and "Shenandoah" and "Oh Susana" type songs. His mother Agnes could hear a song and then go and play it on the piano or accordion. Her and her sisters raised in Oakland California all used to gather around the piano and sing and harmonize on songs of their day. Thus she is the main musical influence from his family.

At about 14 years old Norman was jamming at some friends house where he met up with Terry Kincannon who also played on his little league team and also attended the same Catholic School, All Saints in Hayward, CA. Terry played guitar and wrote music already and had already developed a beautiful singing voice. He was only 11 years old. So, the two of them started getting together and writing songs. At first Norman would be the lyricist and Terry was the music creator and arranger and they both sang in regards to their collaborating in song writing. As time went on Norman also wrote his own songs and he still collaborated with Terry on his music. Sometimes Terry would help put the final touches on Norman's music composition. They used to jam for hours on end and at one point after writing a beautiful song together they both sat in tears and amazement and agreed that they had been given a gift to write songs and that this gift was from God and for His glory.

In the early 70's they participated in a battle of the bands at Limbrook High School in San Jose/Cupertino area. They ended up in a tie for first with a group then called "Friends". This group shortly thereafter became part of the "Doobie Brothers". In fact that night one of the songs that they performed was "Jesus Is Just Alright". Norman and Terry and Brad Briglieb were called "Norm, Terry & Flash" back then. But later they were known as "Morrison-Kincannon" and had a few songs published between 1972 and 1978. Norman and Terry also joined a group for a time called "Patchwork" where there were as many as 7 vocalists. Jim Gleason (fairly well known guitarist in Bay Area) used to perform with Norman and Terry in their early days as well. Norman was introduced to him by Ron Boltz then of Castro Valley so Norman could hire Jim to write out his music lead sheets for copyrighting purposes. Jim was already doing the scores for Taj Mahal, Doobie brothers, Jimmi Hendrix, Journey, Tower of Power and a few other well known bands. He has gone on to be a wonderful guitar teacher for many students all around the world.

After a time Norman and Terry went their separate ways as Terry pursued being in a couple of rock bands and Norman started a family. As soon as his first daughter Lea was on the way he became a union carpenter to make sure that his young family had medical benefits. Though Norman continued to write songs and perform at weddings he did not perform out in public for many years other than that. After his youngest daughter, Carly, was miraculously healed in 1983 Norman began a new journey in his life. He had made a vow to the Lord when his daughter was healed that he would never be afraid again to share Him with people ever again. Through many hard times and trials that came shortly thereafter Norman's strength was that he trusted in the Lord and leaned upon His every word. In many ways those hard times are looked back upon as the good times because Norman learned first hand how faithful the Lord is to His word and to His own who entrust their very life's breath to Him.

Though Norman has written at least 1,000 songs in his life the most important ones to him today are the songs he writes to, about, and for the Lord Jesus Christ and the one's that he has written for and about his family members and close friends. He began selling real estate in 1992. His plans were to take an early retirement from real estate after his children were out on their own and re-establish his writing abilities within his church and record his works. Though there were yet more trials and tests as he and his new wife Julia raised his and her children Norman has chosen to meditate on whatever is good, holy and righteous and not look back..
Then tragically his youngest daughter Carly Beth was killed in an auto crash in Fremont, CA on June 14, 2002. Carly's boyfriend Jerome requested that Norman play a few songs at Carly's funeral.

Norman felt the Lord was wanting him to so he did so choosing to sing a song he wrote about her miracle at Mt. Zion Hospital in San Francisco. The song is called "The Music Of A Baby's Cry" and another song that Carly used to always dance to called "The King Is Coming". The night before the funeral Norman went to his brother- in- law Julian's

As time went on the Lord gave Norman dreams that he wrote about in songs. But in some of the dreams Norman saw himself on a stage preaching in between songs and sharing testimony. And there were others in the group who also preached when the Lord inspired them to do so. In the dream, the band was referred to as "The Sons of Thunder", but unfortunately there is a band with this name in Sweden already. Thus "Norman Patrick Morrison" as the artist is reflected. As more and more songs came to Norman he realized that this CD project was for many people more than the family and friends that attended Carly's funeral. So Norman contacted an old friend Terry Kincannon aka TK, pronounced "teek", who had a recording system and was working out of Oakland. TK offered to produce this project and thus the work began. As the project progressed and the "scratch tracks" were laid down TK was very impressed with how Norman had progressed from the last time he got together and heard his material. TK also confessed that the themes in the songs had lifted him up and had given him a new hope in life.

When Norman was asked to share his testimony at his church's men's retreat he also invited TK and Michael Herrera (classical guitarist on the project) to accompany him and perform with him on a few of the songs. When Norman shared his testimony of how the Lord faithfully strengthened him in many trials including the death of his daughter it became a turning point in TK's life per his testimony as he too had many trials and disappointments that had brought him to where he was at the end of his rope in life. Thus this CD project is for Jesus Christ to be glorified and at the same time is in the memory of Carly Beth Morrison.

Norman's turning point in His walk with the Lord came when he trusted the Lord after being told his daughter was dying and yet after Norman prayed and told the Lord that he would trust Him no matter what and not be bitter it was discovered that at that very moment the Lord then healed her. And out of her death a ministry has been birthed of songs of hope in the eternal gospel of Jesus Christ in Whom Carly had entrusted her Soul and Norman still trusts the Lord. Therefore there is no sting or victory in her death but rather victory is given in a promise that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

So the Lord used Carly's birth and death to draw Norman unto Him for strength and thus even though Carly has passed away even now good is being birthed and fresh hope through Jesus Christ because of her story and Norman's which really is God's story and message of eternal hope. Thus this project is a voice of hope to others who have lost loved ones or who are dealing with sickness or struggling with life's trials through the scripture promises expressed in the songs on this project taken right out of scripture. There will be another worship album and a Christmas album ready by Christmas 2004 (Lord willing). May the Lord bless all of these works to His glory and cause many who hear these testaments in song trust in the Lord Jesus Christ with all of their hearts! Amen