By Jemi Chew
John Morgen Nordheim, a Pendleton native and 2011 Pendleton County High School graduate, works a regular nine-to-five job as a sales representative for Ohio Cat.
But on the weekends, he is the frontman of the John Morgen Band which is well known throughout Northern Kentucky for their country music and performances at fairs and festivals.
His successful career began at age 4 when he sang with his uncle’s band at the Kentucky Wool Festival.
At 8 years old, he was taking guitar and singing lessons from Diane Turner.
And in the fifth grade, he was active in the school choir and continued to be throughout high school.
During his childhood and teenage years, Morgen worked hard to get gigs, played in bars though he was still underaged, and performed at festivals. And while he went to Nashville for college, he would still return home on the weekends to do what he loved most — play music.
While the John Morgen Band was officially created in 2007, Morgen performed with many different bands, such as Jo Jo Gunn and Six Gunz South, before his own started to take off in 2016. And as fun as it was traveling around and playing in college towns and with friends, Morgen knew that he wanted to return to what he calls “country country music.”
“I needed to get back to my roots,” Morgen said.
Since then, the John Morgen Band has played at many venues in and out of state, and has even traveled to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, a small country located in the Caribbean.
But, Morgen said, one of the most memorable shows he ever did was at the MegaCorp Pavilion, which is a popular and massive concert venue in Newport, just outside of Cincinnati.
While Morgen said that the venue was amazing, the crowd was what made it a memorable night for him.
Tickets were priced at $25, parking at $10, and drinks were expensive at the event. Yet, almost 1,000 people were there to support the band.
“It means a lot to get many people to spend that much money,” Morgen said.
Morgen describes performing as an adrenaline rush and said that he does not remember ever being nervous. Being comfortable with his band members and knowing that he is able to rely on them no matter what happens on stage helps him to be confident.
“Having a good band and making music is what fuels me,” Morgen said.
Though successful, Morgen remains hardworking, humble and down to earth. He still remembers those who have helped him by name and is deeply committed to his wife and two children.
“I thank the Lord I have a supportive wife and family that lets me enjoy my passion,” Morgen said.
And when asked about the juxtaposition between performances and his job, Morgen said that it went hand in hand — just like live music, his work is upbeat and there are no repeats.
“Maybe I was born to keep moving like that,” Morgen said with a chuckle.