Morgan Evans Pens Touching Tribute to Late Manager and ‘Second Father,’ Rob Potts
"He was my manager, my dear friend and a second father to me over the last 10 years," wrote Evans.
The holiday season will be bittersweet for rising country star Morgan Evans, who is mourning the loss of his manager, Rob Potts. Potts, who died nearly a month ago in motorcycle accident, had been the “Kiss Somebody” singer’s manager for the past decade.
“He was my manager, my dear friend and a second father to me over the last 10 years. He brought me to Nashville for the first time, he signed me to Warner Music on 2 continents, he put me on TV and had me hosting awards shows in Australia,” wrote Evans in a post on Instagram following Potts’ celebration of life ceremony.
Evans also credited Potts for introducing him to his fiancée, Kelsea Ballerini, when the two hosted an awards show in Australia together last year. “Last year he even played Cupid by recruiting @kelseaballerini as my co-host on the awards. (Extra thanks for that one mate!).”
But most of all, Evans thanked his longtime mentor for the belief and drive he gave him to pursue his dreams of music.
“But the greatest gift he gave me was belief. He believed in me before anyone. He encouraged me, pushed me and lit a fire in me that will burn forever. Even now, I know he won’t be around so closely, but, I know he’ll be there … In the incredible team he built around me, that I get to work with everyday. In all the amazing people he introduced me to, who I now consider some of my best friends.”
Potts was a longtime supporter of bringing country music to Australia, having worked many years as a concert promoter. He is credited with bringing a pre-superstar Taylor Swift over for her first round of dates, as well as Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Florida Georgia Line and many more. Urban, who’d worked with Potts for many years, also reacted to his untimely death back in October, tweeting “Just heard of the passing of Rob Potts… stunned. Deepest condolences to Sally, Jeremy & Rob’s family & friends. Peace be with you all.”
Potts died at the age of 65 after a motorcycle accident on the west coast of Tasmania on Oct. 27.
