“The ability of singing and playing guitar is something I feel God has allowed me to do,” said St. Clair senior Morgan Foote.

Morgan Foote says she can’t remember a time when she couldn’t sing.

The ability has served her well, landing her a spot in the regional semifinals of The Alabama Talent Hunt this weekend.

“I’m excited,” the senior at St. Clair County High School said.  “There are five rounds to go through, but the winner gets a cash prize and a recording contract.”

Having successfully advanced through the preliminary round late last year with an acapella performance, she’ll sing and play guitar during Saturday’s competition at the BJCC Complex in Birmingham.  While anticipating the event, she recently discussed her love of music, why her faith is so important to her, and what inspires her as a songwriter.

Her life in music:  She studied piano as a child and began playing guitar four years ago with help and encouragement from her cousin Will Foote.  “I really love folk music,” she said, naming Need to Breathe as her favorite band.  “I have a book full of my own songs, and I have a YouTube channel where I do covers.”  Her repertoire includes songs by Coldplay, Perry, and Taylor Swift.  

About songwriting:  “It has to come to me.  Once I’m in the moment, it doesn’t take very long.  My music usually comes from occurrences that have happened, something I’ve experienced, or feelings I’m burdened with at the time.”

An example:  “His Hands,” a song Foote wrote after the death of a three-month-old child.  “At our church, there was a family that lost their baby.  It was weighing on me, and I felt that God was putting words in my heart.  I wrote the song and dedicated it to the family.”

At St. Clair High:  Foote is a member of the Beta Club and Saints for Christ, was an all-county standout on the varsity volleyball team, and served as manager for the girls’ basketball team.  She’s also a member of Seddon Baptist’s church choir and is leader of its children’s church ministry.

About Saints For Christ:  “It’s like First Priority.  It’s a student-led organization at this school.  We meet every Thursday at 7:30 a.m., and anyone can join in.  It’s a time of worship, I usually play my guitar, we sing a song, listen to a speaker share the Gospel, share our beliefs, and talk about how to be the Christians we need to be.”

Why the group is important to her:  “My dad is a pastor at Seddon Baptist Church in Pell City, so I’ve always grown up in the ministry.  The ability of singing and playing guitar is something I feel God has allowed me to do, and I want to follow the great command to be the Christian God wants me to be and serve him to my fullest.  I felt that helping bring that into the school was an opportunity God was giving me.”

Her favorite historical period:  “The 1940s.  I’m very into fashion and the beauty from back then.  I’ve always loved the hair and makeup and wished I could’ve been around for that time.  I guess that’s kind of silly, but it’s my creative side coming out.”

How important is creativity?  “Very important.  Without it, your personality is gray.  There’s nothing about you that sets you apart from other individuals.  I like being creative.  I draw a lot, I love to make crafts, and I’m into photography as well.  My dad is very creative, and I guess it comes from his side of the family.  The music comes from my mother’s side.”  Her parents are Dale and Lori Foote.

Her interest in athletics:  “My dad played baseball, basketball, and football, and he kind of got me into it.  I think he wanted me to play softball, but I never could get into it.  Volleyball was something I enjoyed more.”

Her favorite academic subject:   “Math, especially algebra. I love challenges, and it’s always been one of my best subjects.  I like the feeling of accomplishment after I’ve finished a problem.”

Her after-high school plans:  “To go to college with an academic scholarship, hopefully Jacksonville State.  I want to major in nursing.”

The best advice she ever received:  “I could think of a lot of things, but I’d have to say, ‘Be the best I can be and be what God wants me to be.’”

The musician she’d most like to meet:  Francesca Battistelli, a Dove Award-winning Christian singer.  “I’d love to be able to talk with her about where she gets her inspiration from.  She’s a great witness and role model.”

If stranded on a desert island with one book, meal, and CD, her choices would be:  “The book would be The Great Gatsby, the meal would be any sort of vegetables, and the CD would be The Recovery by Need to Breathe.”

About The Great Gatsby:  “I read it last year in 11th grade English class.  The romance and mystery of who Gatsby was really intrigued me.  I’m a sucker for romantic novels and movies.”

The food she could eat every day:  “My dad makes barbeque all the time.  I never get tired of it.”

The food she hopes to never eat again:  “Sardines.  At a ‘fear factor’ competition at youth camp, I had to eat a whole can.  It was not very pleasant.”