It was an idea spawned 12 months ago that is now a reality.
For some time, avid Newcastle Knights Member and CMC Music Star, Morgan Evans wanted to create a Club song or anthem that would inspire and capture a stadium, as the players, Members and fans celebrated a win.
“I've been to Rugby League games in Sydney and seen how the supporters come together and lift to songs like 'Glory Glory To South Sydney' and 'Oh When The Saints' and I thought it'd be great to have something like that, here in Newcastle, to match the passion of the Knights fans,” Evans said.
“I wanted to create something that would capture what it means to be a Novocastrian, what it means to be a Rugby League fan in Newcastle and what it means to wear that red and blue jumper to represent your family, your mates and your town.
“Through my contacts at the Knights I went in with my guitar and performed a very rough version of what I envisaged the song to be.
“It was seriously nerve racking experience performing it in front of Knights legends Matt Gidley and Chief as well as the current team.
“But the idea of singing this song, with the crowd, in a full Hunter Stadium, after cheering the boys on to a big win gives me goose bumps."
Although a busy touring schedule during the off-season has seen the song take a little longer to create than Morgan hoped, he is proud of how it has come together and the fact it’s involved Novocastrian musicians and a 3 times ARIA Award winning Novocastrian producer in Matt Lovell.
It is a sentiment echoed by Newcastle Knights CEO, Matt Gidley.
“I remember hearing Morgan performing the song for us in our boardroom and it just stuck with me for weeks, maybe months,” Gidley said.
“I had a copy of it that I played in the car and even my kids were saying ‘play the Knights song again’.
“We are really thankful for Morgan for donating his time and his talent to produce something for our Club that will be a keepsake for many years to come.”
Evans will perform the song live at the Newcastle Knights v Brisbane Broncos Good Friday clash on April 18.
“We encourage all Knights fans to download the song and get familiar with the lyrics before Morgan performs the song at our Good Friday game against the Broncos,” Gidley added.
Note- Evans won a record-breaking three CMC Awards in 2014 winning all three award categories he was nominated in- CMC Oz Artist of the Year, CMC Male Artist of the Year and for CMC Australian Video of the Year (for "Carry On", directed by Jefferton James). Evans has established himself as one of the hottest, young CMC stars in the country.
For more information regarding Morgan's self titled album and upcoming tour dates visit:
Website: morganevans.com.au
Facebook: facebook.com/morganevansmusic
Twitter: twitter.com/morgan_evans
Instagram: morganevansmusic
LONG LIVE THE NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS LYRICS
Like brothers in arms we're more than a team
And the heart of a city we wear on our sleeves
For the red and the blue 'til the end we will fight
Singing long live the Newcastle Knights
Long live the Newcastle Knights
Long live the Newcastle Knights
For the red and the blue 'til the end we will fight
Singing long live the Newcastle Knights
From the beach to the city and right up the hunter
We grow up with dreams of wearing the jumper
To play for our families, to play for our mates
And bring home the glory whatever it takes
Like brothers in arms we're more than a team
And the heart of a city we wear on our sleeves
For the red and the blue 'til the end we will fight
Singing long live the Newcastle Knights
Long live the Newcastle Knights
Long live the Newcastle Knights
For the red and the blue 'til the end we will fight
Singing long live the Newcastle Knights
