Morris Lord Musician Local & Business Owner

Join host Eddie the Chef for an intimate conversation with Morris Lord, a 72-year-old guitarist who has lived and breathed music for 64 years. From his early days on a Yarra Valley dairy farm to headlining blues festivals, Morris proves that rough enough is never merely good enough.

Guest Bio

Morris Lord began his musical journey at age 8, inspired by The Shadows' Hank Marvin. By age 14, he was already performing at Melbourne University. A self-taught guitarist who learned by ear, Morris spent his formative years pushing boundaries in Melbourne's underground music scene during the 60s and 70s, drawn to heavier sounds that weren't commercially accepted at the time.

After establishing himself as a working musician, Morris's life took diverse turns. In 1980, he bought a farm in East Gippsland and worked for the Country Roads Board, but music never left him. He formed bands in Lakes Entrance that secured residencies at iconic Melbourne venues like the Helen Pub and toured throughout Victoria and New South Wales through the mid-90s.

In 2012, Morris took on a new chapter, purchasing Marban Music in Bairnsdale—a 45-year-old institution in East Gippsland. For six years, he balanced shopkeeping with his passion, even opening a second location in Traralgon just before COVID hit. During this time, he stepped away from performing but never stopped supporting the regional music community.

Episode Highlights

• The Origins: How a three-year-old insisted on being called "Morris" instead of Harry
• Musical Influences: From The Shadows to Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton's Cream
• The $550 Guitar: The remarkable story of the Les Paul Custom he bought at 15 with money earned working on the family dairy farm—a guitar he still owns today
• Regional Music Culture: Candid discussion about the decline of pub bands, especially post-COVID, and the resilience of East Gippsland's music scene
• Business Philosophy: Why integrity and community connection matter more than profit
• Full Circle Romance: Reconnecting with his high school sweetheart after 42 years apart
• Back on Stage: His return to performing with Paul Buchanan's Blues Express, including performances at the Echuca Winter Blues Festival and Mitchell Creek Festival (3,000+ attendees)

Key Themes

This episode explores sustainability in a music career, the importance of regional music culture, balancing passion with pragmatism, and the philosophy that being "straight up" and doing the right thing matters more than maximizing profit. Morris's story is one of evolution, not quitting—adapting through decades of life changes while keeping music at his core.

What You'll Learn

• How regional musicians navigate a changing music landscape
• The impact of COVID-19 on local music venues and culture
• The value of brick-and-mortar music stores in building community
• Why believing in yourself matters at any age
• How to sustain a lifelong passion through diverse life chapters

Currently

Having recently sold Marban Music to Gavin and Laura, Morris is embarking on his next chapter with his wife, focusing on travel, making up for lost time, and performing with Paul Buchanan's Blues Express across regional Victoria and beyond.

Listen now to discover how one musician turned 64 years of passion into a legacy that spans performance, community building, and proving it's never too late for a comeback.