Roots rocker calls Colebrook home

By JULIE WEISBERG – Staff Reporter
August, 14, 2009

WINSTED — The Northwest Corner has played muse to countless artists who have sought inspiration from its deep green forests, rolling hills and running waters.

Among them is musician Kenn Morr.

Morr, who moved to Colebrook from Long Island nine years ago, has been writing and recording his own brand of American roots rock music for more than a decade.

But the veteran singer/songwriter credits his relocation to the area with helping to move his musical career forward.

“When I was in New York I was writing about all of this,” he said, standing in his kitchen and motioning to the blooming flora outside his Sandy Brook Road home. “And now here I am, and it’s all around me.”

For the past several years, The Kenn Morr Band has been a staple performer at Winsted’s annual summer concerts at East End Park.

And next week Morr and his band will close out this season’s series. The concert will take place on the park’s Rotary Stage Thursday, Aug. 20, beginning at 7 p.m.

Although he now performs at several other outdoor venues throughout the area each year, Morr said Winsted will always be a special place for him to play live.

“Winsted was one of the first local towns I played after moving up to Connecticut,” he said. “I came here virtually unknown, and places like Winsted helped me; they took a chance.”

He added that the park itself, and those who attend the concerts, also contribute to the fun.

“There is something really nice about playing there,” Morr said. “I love the park. And we always have good crowds there. They are very receptive.”

In 2004, Morr released “New Moon Rising,” which was recorded in Nashville and produced by Bob Johnston, who produced Bob Dylan’s “Blonde on Blonde” and “Highway 61.”

“I learned from the best,” Morr said of the experience.

About four years ago, however, Morr completed work on his own home recording studio. Since then, he has self-produced, recorded and mixed his last two albums — “Coming Home” and “Move On” — there.

Both records were also released through his own label, Sandybrook Records.

“It’s all done here. This is the factory,” he said, adding that the only part of the CD-making process that is not completed in his Colebrook studio is the mastering, which is done in Nashville.

Currently, Morr — who shares his home with his wife, Jackie, sons Nolan, 8, and James, 5, and the family dog, Lightfoot (named after one of Morr’s musical heroes, Gordon Lightfoot) — is completing work on a new album due out early next year.

The band’s newest album, “Move On,” generated a lot of interest and solid reviews, especially in Europe. Morr said he hopes to build on that success with the new record, both abroad and here at home.

“With this next record we’re hoping to make enough noise for somebody to say, ‘Hey, come [tour] with us,’” Morr said, adding that once the album is completed, he would like to have a local CD release party to celebrate.

“But whatever the plan is, that’s what I’ll subscribe to,” he said of the future.

For more information about The Kenn Morr Band, visit kennmorr.com. Morr’s music is also available for download on iTunes and at CDBaby.com.