MUSIC

Morgan Evans surprises Tootsie's, buys bar a round of shots in celebration of new EP

Cindy Watts
The Tennessean
Morgan Evans performs at the Ascend Stage at the CMA Festival in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, June 9, 2018.

Country singer Morgan Evans toasted his new self-titled EP Thursday night with a surprise visit to Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge on Lower Broadway. Available Friday, the EP is home to Evans’s new song “Young Again.”

In the spirit of the song, Evans bought the entire bar a round of shots.

Evans, who is married to fellow country singer Kelsea Ballerini, has a soft place in his heart for Tootsie’s that dates back more than a decade.

“More and more when I experience big life and career moments, they remind me of all the little ones that happened before and made them possible,” Evans said, explaining that Tootsie’s was the first place he visited on his first trip to Nashville 10 years ago. “I remember that moment as one of the defining ones, thinking, ‘This is the greatest city on Earth.’”

Morgan Evans bought Tootsie's patrons a round of shots to toast his new self-titled EP.

With that in mind, Evans said he thought it would be fitting to revisit the bar, buy its patrons a shot and join them in raising their glasses to the EP’s release - and “the fact that we will never be this young again.”

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Produced by Chris DeStefano, the EP is a preview of the singer’s debut album that is due to be released this fall. Evans, who is signed to Warner Music Nashville/Warner Bros., co-wrote every song on the EP and the album including his most recent hit “Kiss Somebody.”

Kelsea Ballerini and husband Morgan Evans on the red carpet at the 2018 CMT Awards Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.

“Morgan Evans” EP tracklist:
1. “Day Drunk” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Lindy Robbins)
2. “American” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Josh Osborne)
3. “I Do” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Ashley Gorley)
4. “Kiss Somebody” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Josh Osborne)
5. “Young Again” – (Morgan Evans, Chris DeStefano, Josh Kear)

Fans will have the chance to see Evans live when he plays the 12th annual ACM Honors at Ryman Auditorium Aug. 22. He’ll also open for Chris Young at Bridgestone Arena on Sept. 22.