The Host of Classical Guitar Alive!

Tony Morris is heard each week by radio listeners of over 200 stations across the United States, and world-wide via internet broadcasts as the host of the Classical Guitar Alive! program.

In conjunction with his international broadcast career, he performs as a solo guitarist and chamber musician. He is regularly invited to perform at White House in Washington, D.C. The December 16, 2002 White House debut performance by "Tony Morris & Friends", (with Renata Green, flute; James Fenner, percussion; Shu-Yi Scott, cello) , was praised by both First Lady Laura Bush, and Dr. Eileen Mason, acting Director of the National Endowment for the Arts. On December 7, 2004, Tony Morris & Friends, with Renata Green, flute; Jennifer Bourianoff, violin; James Fenner, percussion, returned to perform at the White House in Washington, D.C. for a second time in a private encore performance for members of Congress other visiting dignitaries. The third White House performance by "Tony Morris & Friends" on December 3, 2005, was for the Diplomatic Corps of the US State Department. Other past performances include a 2002 concert at the Texas Governor's Mansion, which was filmed for public television, and numerous live television and radio broadcasts. He performs with flutist Renata Green and violinist Jennifer Bourianoff as Viva Trio.

An indefatigable advocate of music for the classical guitar, he actively seeks to expand its repertory by commissioning new works, and by seeking lost or forgotten important works of the past. Composers including Jorge Morel (Argentina), Kaare Norge (Denmark), and Russell Sarre (Australia) have dedicated works to him, and he has performed the world premieres of newly-discovered works including "Aria" for oboe, guitar, and cello by one of the leading 20th Century guitar composers, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco (1895-1968), and "Guitare" by the famed Les Six French composer Germaine Tailleferre (1892-1983).

He received his Master of Music degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1993, and his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of South Carolina in 1990. In August of 2006, he joined the faculty of Texas Lutheran University as guitar instructor. Noted for his enthusiastic support and encouragement of young talent, he is a highly sought adjudicator and masterclass teacher at music festivals and competitions. In recognition of his work, he has twice been honored by his hometown with days named in his honor by Austin mayors Bruce Todd (1995) and Gus Garcia (2002).

Tony Morris is the Executive Director of the Friends of Classical Guitar Alive, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to promote and advance the love of classical music with the guitar to the widest possible audience. In addition to reaching over one million public radio listeners each week through the Classical Guitar Alive! public radio program, The Friends of CGA also works for the betterment of mankind through music by hosting an outreach program which presents vibrant classical music performances at no cost to under-served/disadvantaged audiences at hospitals, hospices, shelters, and community centers. A classical music public television program is currently in development.