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Diary of a Redneck Opera Zinger
Well, here's my book! I like to think it's equal parts auto-bio, inspiration, and unrepentant potty humor. WARNING, if you're sensitive and precious, you probably won't be amused. Turn back. But if on some rainy afternoon you find yourself in need of a few giggles, I hope you'll find some here. (Jay Hunter Morris) Meet our opera "zinger" (yes, with a "z" - read the book to find out why) - Grammy-winning tenor Jay Hunter Morris, Metropolitan Opera's Siegfried in Wagner's Ring. Born in Paris, Texas, Jay was propelled to international fame after his big break in October 2011, when Met director Peter Gelb brought him in at short notice to substitute for a sick colleague, and he sang superbly this difficult role in front of a Met Live in HD worldwide audience. These are his incredibly funny memoirs. The gifted singer has a phenomenal talent for self-deprecating black humor (and linguist acrobatics - all spelling and grammar idiosyncrasies are done in purpose for a true Texan feel), but is also touching and admirable in his love for the art form, his family, and his values. This very entertaining book will not only make you laugh (hard!) but will also inform you about the joys and hardships of the operatic singing profession. (Luiz Gazzola, Senior Editor, Opera Lively Press)
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
140 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 12, 2014
Diary of a Redneck Opera Zinger is a humor-filled memoir by Jay Hunter Morris, who writes with an exuberance that matches his larger than life opera persona. This short, pithy book, which I enjoyed reading a chapter or two at a time, makes for good, light reading. It's rather like dessert fare so don't expect the substance of a main course here, but who doesn't appreciate a tasty dessert? Nobody with an ounce of joie de vivre.
Calling himself a redneck is Morris' good-natured way of dealing with his small-town, east Texas origins. He isn't really a redneck, but he really is an opera singer born and raised in Paris, Texas, and there tends, rightly or wrongly, to be the perception out there that small, east Texas towns are filled with politically regressive, ignoramus hicks. References to opera, singing, and performing abound throughout his tales shared here as would be expected given that the author has rigorously dedicated himself to pursuing a professional career in the ethereal world of opera for the past 20 plus years. "Opera zinger" gets explained along the way. It arose from his first trip to perform in Germany, and one of the Germans he met was amused to meet "an opera zinger from Texas."
Calling himself a redneck is Morris' good-natured way of dealing with his small-town, east Texas origins. He isn't really a redneck, but he really is an opera singer born and raised in Paris, Texas, and there tends, rightly or wrongly, to be the perception out there that small, east Texas towns are filled with politically regressive, ignoramus hicks. References to opera, singing, and performing abound throughout his tales shared here as would be expected given that the author has rigorously dedicated himself to pursuing a professional career in the ethereal world of opera for the past 20 plus years. "Opera zinger" gets explained along the way. It arose from his first trip to perform in Germany, and one of the Germans he met was amused to meet "an opera zinger from Texas."
May 29, 2013
This is certainly the most unusual -- and uproarious -- opera book of all time. For those who appreciate opera, Wagner, and Jay Hunter Morris and his contributions to both, this is a fun must-read. For those who may not have any appreciation of opera or Wagner, it is still a blast and might just convince you that opera -- or at least certain opera "zingers" -- is/are cool.
September 22, 2025
Well, I never thought I would ever get into Opera, but my adorable wife is a huge fan and managed to turn me into an addict. Billy bud and the ring cycle are my favorites. I fell in love with Morris in his role as "Ziggy" (Siegfried) in the met performance in 2012, he was the absolute best! I loved it so much that my wife got me his book to read and I loved his book too. The book really hits home for me since I was born, raised, and still live in the deep south around nothing but rednecks. It is wonderful to see a cultured redneck for once. I hitchhiked through Paris tx once, and am amazed the town could produce such a talented singer.
His stories in this book are very humorous and he isn't shy to tell embarrassing stories of himself, which made me see him as a big man with a bigger character than Siegfried himself. This is a guy I want to share a joint with and get lost in a good conversation. I highly recommend this book to any fan of Opera along with all the rednecks in town that laugh at high art alike.
Honestly I preferred the met's production of the ring cycle in the nineties due to the superior stage design, costumes, and singers, but without a doubt Morris was a million times better as Siegfried in this newer production and carried the whole production. I loved the last couple chapters in his book talking about his role as Siegfried first in San fran then at the met.
Please Mr. morris, please perform this role at the Nashville or Atlanta opera house some day. If I could sing better than a cat in heat I'd take his singing classes. I am star struck more by him than any person in Hollywood.
His stories in this book are very humorous and he isn't shy to tell embarrassing stories of himself, which made me see him as a big man with a bigger character than Siegfried himself. This is a guy I want to share a joint with and get lost in a good conversation. I highly recommend this book to any fan of Opera along with all the rednecks in town that laugh at high art alike.
Honestly I preferred the met's production of the ring cycle in the nineties due to the superior stage design, costumes, and singers, but without a doubt Morris was a million times better as Siegfried in this newer production and carried the whole production. I loved the last couple chapters in his book talking about his role as Siegfried first in San fran then at the met.
Please Mr. morris, please perform this role at the Nashville or Atlanta opera house some day. If I could sing better than a cat in heat I'd take his singing classes. I am star struck more by him than any person in Hollywood.
August 25, 2013
I just loved this book! it is selections from his blog beginning in the late 60s, about his adventures all of the world. he is from Paris, Texas, and you can tell he grew up knowing how to tell a story! loved his making a new friend in Germany, his flag football game in Toronto, his supermarket altercation, his adventures at the nudist getaway with his "wannabe-hippie" girlfriend, and description of his folks visiting him at opera houses throughout the US in their RV!
It is fun reading even if you are not into opera. many thanks to my friend Catherine Byers for letting us know about this!
It is fun reading even if you are not into opera. many thanks to my friend Catherine Byers for letting us know about this!
August 5, 2013
Amazing book! I loved every page of it, and laughed myself silly at some of the stories (especially "Legend"). The making of an opera star is hard work; more difficult than any other discipline in the music business, I think. While Mr. Morris gives us peeks at that difficulty in this book, it remains mostly about the good times he's had - the blessings - thus far in his career.
Five stars for a read that's even more fun than "Siegfried", and didn't take take as long to read, lol!
Five stars for a read that's even more fun than "Siegfried", and didn't take take as long to read, lol!
October 17, 2013
This is such a fun book. Funny and inspirational. Glad I read it. I suggest it for anyone who loves performance arts, or for anyone who likes Texan humor (esp. about adventures mostly outside of Texas), for anyone who has ever dreamed big, and esp. for anyone with connections of any kind to Paris, Texas, where there are an amazing number of artists.
October 18, 2020
3/5ths of this book would get 5 stars. I giggled through the first 3/5ths of it. But the blog format began to wear on me after awhile.
I especially loved his description of the feeling when the orchestra is tuning up before a performance. In the late 70’s I worked as a PA/AD at several opera houses (SFO, SDO, Tulsa) and that moment was always thrilling. His description helped me close my eyes and remember. Oh, how I loved opera and, oh, how it hurt when my head hit that glass ceiling and, oh, how happy I am to know that ceiling is completely broken! But I digress.
He warns about the potty humor and a little of that from him goes a long way. I guess I would’ve liked to hear more about his backstage experiences. But I have to admit, I was chuckling quite a bit.
Will there be a sequel I wonder? Even with this lackluster review, I would certainly read it!
I especially loved his description of the feeling when the orchestra is tuning up before a performance. In the late 70’s I worked as a PA/AD at several opera houses (SFO, SDO, Tulsa) and that moment was always thrilling. His description helped me close my eyes and remember. Oh, how I loved opera and, oh, how it hurt when my head hit that glass ceiling and, oh, how happy I am to know that ceiling is completely broken! But I digress.
He warns about the potty humor and a little of that from him goes a long way. I guess I would’ve liked to hear more about his backstage experiences. But I have to admit, I was chuckling quite a bit.
Will there be a sequel I wonder? Even with this lackluster review, I would certainly read it!
December 29, 2020
A quick read based on blogs that opera singer Jay Hunter Morris about his travels and experiences. Laugh out loud funny in some segments and heartwarming and charming in others. As an opera fan we know the challenges for young singers to make a career in the arts. Delighted that his chances came via SFO and the Met.
January 6, 2021
Hysterical account
In this depressing time of COVID and closed opera houses, this series of essays by a down to earth Texan about his trials and triumphs as a world class opera singer are a refreshing delight.
In this depressing time of COVID and closed opera houses, this series of essays by a down to earth Texan about his trials and triumphs as a world class opera singer are a refreshing delight.
January 18, 2018
Hilarious. Get the audiobook version for the most humorous take!
August 8, 2020
Entertaining short read
September 30, 2013
Typical Jay! If you know Jay, then you have heard most of these stories in person or via email, or you experienced them with him. Still, it's fun to experience them again! If you don't know Jay, please trust me when I say that these are true stories, told exactly as Jay tells them in person.... With his East Texas accent at full volume and his creative license used only to slightly season an already great slab of Texas brisket!
April 6, 2014
Laugh out loud funny! West Texas is a very interesting place. We have characters like those described in this book, but also a huge support of the fine arts in our public school programs. No one should be surprised that a Siegfried could come from West Texas. Very, very entertaining.
September 8, 2013
A quick, easy, and hilarious read. I read this at the dinner hour during two days of a bluegrass festival and found myself laughing out loud.
September 23, 2013
an entertaining, quick read
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July 23, 2016Hilarious! Couldn't stop laughing!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews