MORGAN TAYLOR

from The LocaL, April 2020

Finding Calm Amid Coronavirus

MORGAN TAYLOR - wide eyed, amplified, and radio ready

By Tony Pettis

There are very few times in this life where you discover people who defy the laws of human abilities. People who embody the very streets we walk, personas that press upon the wallpaper of our favorite restaurants, and voices that bring about cultural change. Wide eyed, amplified and radio ready. That’s my friend, Morgan, (aka MT & “the Ging”). After being tasked to write about Morgan, I began to think back on when we first met. I had the honor of meeting her at one of our many gatherings of greatness about a year ago. To be honest, I can’t remember exactly where it was, but while chatting it up, for some odd reason I couldn’t help but notice that her voice seemed so recognizable. You can imagine my surprise and how thrilled I was to learn that I was standing in the presence of a local celebrity.

As we laughed, I had the opportunity to tell her how I’d just heard her coming out of my stereo encouraging me to make a visit to The Landings here in Columbus. Influencer, advocate, and city socialite, she’s done it all. If you’ve been in the area for any length of time, odds are that you’ve probably heard the voice of Morgan Taylor. The Columbus native has been one of many of my favorite voices of our town. With her quirky sense of humor, unmatchable sense of style, and adorable persona, she’s definitely at the top of my list when it comes to my most influential friends.

I’ve always admired Morgan and her ability to connect with others in our community via radio. I’ve also been curious as to the process of not only becoming a radio personality but the lifestyle in general.

So I asked her.

“I love love, and I love emotions, I love connecting with people in their emotions, I love life and all these weird aspects to life like all the trauma that comes with it. I mean we don’t like the trauma but, we love the beauty that comes with it. I’ve fallen in love with people, radio and Columbus’ mission,” Morgan responded.

I learned it was in her passion for serving people that she found her outlet and combined her love for radio to form her career. What started out as pure passion and a highschool internship through the Explorers program quickly began to turn into a profession. Soon she would meet Dave Arwood of PMB broadcasting, now referred to as her on air radio dad, that would jump start her career. Radio gave her the ability to reach people on a whole new level. She could live in a world of pop music and celebrity tabloids, while also using her voice as an instrument to connect people. After four tedious years of studying, she earned her bachelor’s degree in integrated media from Columbus State University (go cougars!) and speedily began fusing her love for people and radio into a purpose that would serve our community.

Now, as most of us know, the journey after graduation is no picnic. I asked what that process may have looked like for her.

“Be prepared to put in major hours, to hustle, and to start from the bottom,” she said. With nine years and counting in the industry, Morgan knows a thing or two forsure. “It was in the hustle of trying to make it where I began to understand the importance of stepping back and resting. I learned that at 25.”

The now 26-year-old Morgan credits a lot of her knowledge about radio and community to her family. You wouldn’t know it from her soft and gentle spirit, but Morgan has had her fair share of troubled times. Her parents Roger and Lisa Nicholson were a big part of her journey.

“As odd as it may sound, I believe he stayed alive for me,” Morgan said of her father. Roger was diagnosed with heart disease when she was just 6 months old. He wanted nothing more than to see her succeed.

“He wanted me to go to college, graduate, and be successful,” Morgan said. Sadly enough, he did pass away. Exactly 3 years and a day apart from his passing, her mother who was a two time breast cancer survivor was stricken with pancreatic cancer along with other health complications.

**Morgan Taylor at the helm of on-air radio show on 107.3 Lite fm**

“My dad was my best friend, but my mom was my person, she was always the strong one,” Morgan said as she fought back tears. When graduation came around, she knew she’d done exactly what they wanted.

Morgan knows exactly where her characteristic traits come from. She says the go-getter energy in her is definitely from her dad, but the compassion and love for people and community she draws from her mom. It didn’t take her long to figure out that radio was a passion of hers and that community was a necessity.

“Columbus has taught me how important community is and even more so how important learning about our community is. Columbus will always be home,” she said.

I think I speak for many when I say Morgan has done a fantastic job of serving us and keeping us uplifted in times of despair. From mental breakdowns, falling in and out of love, and even her first kiss, Morgan has done it all right here on the soil of this city.

On-air partner and personality Jaylan King started out with Morgan Taylor in the summer of 2012 when they were just two highly impressionable, wide eyed and bushy-tailed seniors in highschool. During the process of this article, Jaylan and I got a chance to sit down together.

You’ve watched her evolve. I said, as I sat and watched Jaylan smile at the thought.

“My experience with Morgan has been like witnessing a sister grow in front of your eyes. So much genuine compassion for those in the community. I’ve seen her harness that passion for radio, take it and impact so many people. Uplifting so many businesses and groups. I’ve seen the world throw obstacles her way that most would break down from. Not her. It’s as if loss and pain only birthed more drive inside for her to share the love she has. She’s consistently determined to surpass her last accomplishment,” Jaylan said. “The light of joy that’s able to shine at any table, that’s Morgan. So many laughs and heart to hearts we’ve shared in this field. She’s always been that voice that stays in my head never allowing me to give anything less than my best.”

**Morgan Taylor**
Photo by - Sterling Pierce

She’s definitely played that role in my life as well as many others. Whether it’s leading Young Professionals as one of the marketing and communications board members or building and becoming a platform for others to be voiced through her podcast “Have a Seat with Morgan Taylor,” she’s continued to stay true to both her plans and her purpose.

**Morgan Taylor**
Photo by - Trey Walker

As some may have come to know, our beloved MT will be moving to El Paso, Texas and is looking to continue in both expanding her reach and advancing her connectivity. Here’s what she had to say in regards to her and her fiance’s new adventure. “I’ve wanted this for a long time, we both have, distance gets annoying after almost three years. So here we are, and here I am. Taking the next step.” Although I’ve known this news for quite some time, it doesn’t make it hurt any less. That’s definitely the selfish side of me talking. Nevertheless I’ll cherish our craziest moments and our incredible friendship. I like to think I speak for the city, when I say we’re taking a hit on this one.

We still can’t wait to watch her soar. In parting Morgan said, “To Columbus and to my friends who tune in to the radio and do life with me every weekday, you have changed my life, you have challenged me, you have given me some of the most incredible and touching experiences. For now I just wanted to let you know, a new journey is ahead, and my heart is ready for it. P.S, I promise you a piece of me will always be with my hometown, I love you Columbus, I can’t wait to watch you grow.”

We love you too Morgan, don’t worry - we’ll still be tuning in.

Find Morgan @radiomorgantaylor on IG and by tuning into both kissin 99.3, 103.7 Lite FM, in Columbus, Ga and her podcast Have a Seat with Morgan Taylor on Soundcloud.