Richard Farrell Morris was a percussionist who performed with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and spent many years as a Nashville studio musician.



Born in Waxahachie, Texas in 1938, Richard Morris began working in Nashville studios in the late 1960s, and by the early 1970s he was contributing to landmark albums including Kris Kristofferson's 'The Silver Tongued Devil and I', Mickey Newbury's 'Frisco Mabel Joy' and Dan Fogelberg's 'Home Free'.



Richard Morris remained an in-demand session player through the 1970s, '80s and '90s, working with Johnny Cash, JJ Cale, George Jones, Kenny Chesney, Dolly Parton and many more.



In the studio, Richard Morris' parts added rhythmic sophistication, as he shifted from hand drums to vibraphone to bells and whatever else might be needed. His style was pulsing, not pounding, and he was responsible for making songs that had been written in well-worn rhythmic structures sound complex and complete.



Richard Morris taught at the Blair School of Music, and when he retired from the music business he worked as a visual artist, creating idiosyncratic works that combined sculpture and musical subjects. His work was exhibited at Nashville’s Local Color Gallery, and also at galleries in Las Vegas, Dallas and Louisville.



Richard Morris died Thursday, October 4, 2012 at age 74, after battling lung cancer.