In the summer of 2016, country singer Craig Morgan experienced a tragedy no parent should ever face. His 19-year-old son, Jerry, lost his life in a tubing accident on Kentucky Lake in Tennessee. The grief was overwhelming, and Craig searched for any way to cope with the unimaginable pain.
One night, in the quiet hours of early morning, music found him.
Craig shared with People that he woke abruptly at 2:30 a.m. with a melody and lyrics echoing through his mind. Before he was even fully awake, he had the entire chorus of a song taking shape—raw, honest, and filled with the ache of a father’s loss.
“It was 2:30 in the morning and there I was—singing the entire chorus in my head before I even woke up enough to put the words down on paper.”
That moment birthed what would become one of the most emotional songs of Craig’s career: “The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost.”
In July 2019, Craig performed the song publicly for the first time at the Grand Ole Opry. The performance was deeply emotional, and the video quickly went viral. What Craig thought would be a one-time tribute became a powerful message that resonated with thousands.
After his performance, Craig received unexpected—and meaningful—encouragement from country legend Ricky Skaggs.
“Standing there was Ricky Skaggs, and he told me that I simply had to perform it again. I had to get through this and find a way to share this song with as many people as I could,” he recalled.
Inspired by that support, Craig released the song on iTunes. And that’s when another country star stepped in to help in an extraordinary way.
Blake Shelton’s Mission to Lift Craig’s Song to #1
Blake Shelton, a close friend of Craig’s, launched a personal campaign to shine a national spotlight on the emotional tribute. Over the course of several days, he took to Twitter, repeatedly urging fans and fellow artists to support the song—even though doing so would knock his own music down the charts.
His efforts worked. Radio stations began adding the song to their rotations, and fans rallied behind it. Before long, “The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost” climbed to the top of the iTunes country chart.
Then, it accomplished something even more remarkable: it became the #1 most-downloaded song across all genres on iTunes.
Blake celebrated the achievement with a heartfelt message:
“Congratulations @cmorganmusic. This one’s for Jerry.”
Craig, deeply moved, responded with gratitude:
“Blake Shelton. You are an awesome friend and champion for country music. We love ya, and I cannot thank you enough.”
A Stunning Surprise on The Kelly Clarkson Show
Craig’s emotional journey with the song didn’t end there. During an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, he performed the song live—only to be surprised mid-show when Blake Shelton himself walked out onto the stage.
Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton, and guest Eva Mendes were visibly overwhelmed as Craig sang. Tears streamed down their faces as the performance reached its final notes. When Craig finished, the entire room rose to their feet, united in emotion.
The performance became another powerful reminder of the song’s impact and the depth of the story behind it.
Craig Morgan’s “The Father, My Son, and the Holy Ghost” is more than a song. It is a father’s prayer, a tribute to a beloved son, and a reminder that grief can transform into something that touches countless lives.
If you watch the performance or listen to the song, prepare yourself—this is one of those moments in music that stays with you long after the last note fades.
https://youtu.be/iK6jnLxUvxA