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Here Are Some Facts About Mo Pitney, A Small Town Country Boy From Illinois

Mo Pitney Facts
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

You may hear a lot about Mo Pitney, but you will soon get to know him even better with these exciting facts.

This rising star has a classic country style that can never be denied. Since the release of his ever-successful debut album Behind This Guitar in 2016, he started earning high praises and myriads of devoted fans – thanks to his distinctive soulful voice. Mo Pitney songs reflect the way he sees life, and listeners can’t help but embrace them.

So, without further ado, let’s get to know more about Pitney as he solidifies his career in country music.

1. He’s a native of Rockford, Illinois. 

Mo Pitney, whose real name is Morgan Daniel ‘Mo’ Pitney, was born on March 24, 1993. He grew up in the small town of Cherry Valley, Illinois.

2. He grew up around music. 

His parents, Danny and Tabitha, are actually both musicians. His mother would write songs while his father would play the guitar. 

3. He began his career in music at a young age. 

Pitney was only six when he picked up the drums and was twelve when he asked his father to teach him to play the guitar. It didn’t take long for the young aspiring musician to learn a couple of songs by Johnny Cash. He then made his debut at a local open-mic show. Three years later, he got hooked on bluegrass music and built an acoustic band with his friends.

4. Keith Whitley, Randy Travis, and Keith Whitley are just some of the artists that vocally inspired him. 

It’s no surprise why his deep baritone sounded mature well beyond his years.

5. His bandmates today include his siblings. 

Pitney’s sister plays the guitar and provides harmony vocals, while his brother serves as the bass guitarist as well as his road manager.

6. He loves hunting. 

And he’ll never forget the first time he went hunting with his father when he was fourteen. “We flushed out two pheasants, but we missed them both. It didn’t matter. I was hooked,” the singer said.

7. He is one big dog lover! 

This explains his tear-jerking song “It’s Just a Dog,” which sings about grieving the loss of a furry best friend. He also spends his free time training his bird dogs.

8. He admits to never being a city-type of person. 

In fact, he loves Illinois for its cornfields and woods.

9. He’s a married man. 

In 2016, Pitney married his longtime girlfriend, Emily Bankester, in a private ceremony in Emily’s hometown of Carbondale, Illinois. The two met at a bluegrass festival when they were only fifteen. Emily is also a musician who took home Vocalist of the Year during the 2012 International Bluegrass Music Association

10. He’s a father of two. 

Pitney and his wife were blessed with two lovely daughters, Evelyne Nadine and Audra Elaine Pitney.

Well, we can’t wait to see what’s more in store for Mo Pitney.

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