Daily Tunes: Sunday Morning Coming Down

Jesse was a super cool dude. Was always fun when he'd visit the east coast and when we'd visit the west coast. RIP.

Jesse Morris was a San Francisco area musician known for his unique blend of country and punk rock. He gained significant local recognition as "The Punk Rock Johnny Cash" or "The Subway Johnny Cash" due to his uncanny vocal resemblance to Johnny Cash and his frequent busking performances in San Francisco's BART stations, particularly the Mission and Montgomery stations. He would often perform covers of Johnny Cash songs, as well as Merle Haggard and Black Flag.
Morris began busking in the Oakland hills around the age of 13 and later moved to the San Francisco subway system when he was 18. He was known for his powerful baritone voice. Beyond his solo busking, he fronted a band called Jesse Morris and the Man Cougars. The band's sound drew influences from classic country artists like Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, and Merle Haggard, with an added punk rock edge inspired by bands like The Clash and The Ramones. They performed original material and covers at various local venues.
Jesse Morris and the Man Cougars released a self-titled debut album and were working on a follow-up. Morris had also started recording a solo country album, but it was not completed before his passing. In 2008, he was named "Best BART Musician" by San Francisco Weekly. Besides his music career, he also worked as a bouncer at a local bar.
Jesse Morris passed away on November 6, 2011, at the age of 27. He was born on November 6, 1984.