Officials Confirm Death Of Lotus Percussionist Chuck Morris

The deaths of Lotus percussionist Chuck Morris and his son Charley Morris have been confirmed. The pair was reported missing on Thursday, March 16 after embarking on a kayaking trip while vacationing on Beaver Lake near Fayetteville, Arkansas.

On Tuesday, March 21, Lotus reported the search for the missing pair had shifted to a recovery effort. Officials announced that on Sunday, April 9 they recovered the missing men. A statement from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office reads:

Missing Kayakers Recovered

April 9, 2023

On March 16, 2023 the Benton County Sheriff’s Office began search efforts for two missing kayakers in the area of S. Lost Bridge Village of Beaver Lake.

Major Kenneth Paul led the search efforts utilizing many resources from across the nation and organized the daily operations of these efforts. Yesterday, efforts were combined with Carroll County MDS and Christian Aid Ministries Search and Rescue Team (CAM SAR) out of Tennessee. They were able to utilize their Underwater ROV in a challenging environment that exceeded depths of 180’.

After 24 days of recovery efforts, the bodies of both Charles Morris IV (Chuck-Father) and Charles Morris V (Charley-son) have been recovered thanks to the technology and efforts by all personnel.

Sheriff Holloway, along with the family of Chuck and Charley, would like to thank all the men and women who donated their time and efforts to help bring closure to the family and recover the two missing men.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office SAR unit, Marine division, Aviation unit, Dive team, and K9 division along with Arkansas Game and Fish SAR and Dive team, Tennessee CAM SAR (Christian Aid Ministries), Arkansas MDS (Mennonite Disaster Services), Tri-County SAR, Grassy Knob Fire, Inspiration Fire, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and K9 units out of Illinois (John Blevins), Oklahoma (Quapaw Nation K9) Louisiana (Cajun Coast).

Our heart goes out the family of Chuck and Charley Morris and we are thankful today that we can help bring closure.

Lotus band members, bassist Jesse Miller, guitarist/keyboardist Luke Miller, drummer Mike Greenfield and guitarist Tim Palmieri previously shared statements regarding Morris. Read each below.

Jesse Miller:

“We spent over 20 years in a band with Chuck. We lived together for parts of that, traveled the country and across oceans, felt the joy of performing in front of thousands of fans and pains of sleeping on floors and trying to repair a broken trailer in the middle of nowhere in a snowstorm. It was a journey, and it wouldn’t have been the same without Chuck bringing his unique mind, energy, spirit and smile to it.”

Luke Miller:

“Chuck was a beast on percussion and in life. He brought an energy every night that fed so many people’s souls. He joined Lotus back in a small Indiana town – Goshen. Our little group from the rural Midwest ventured out into the world to play music. If our touring van broke down, or if our shared band house needed to be fixed Chuck was always the first to jump in on the work. I was there when Jenny and Chuck brought Charley home from the hospital. And we saw him grow up to be an incredibly smart and talented young man.

“I traveled with Chuck to all the corners of the US, to Japan, Amsterdam, Dominican Republic, Mexico, and so many other places. He was always ready to have fun, make new friends, and play music. He brought a bright-eyed adventurous spirit wherever he went. Chuck was truly a one-of-one. He and Charley are incredibly dearly missed. Rest in Percussion / Rest in Power / Rest In Peace”

Mike Greenfield:

“One of the highest achievements of a musician is to find your own voice on an instrument. Chuck’s distinct personality was so strong that it shined through in his musicianship, as it did in all elements of his life. I can easily say that Chuck was the most unique person I have ever met, and it was fascinating to witness how his dynamic energy created opportunities for him at every turn. As a percussionist, comedian, computer programmer, family man, repairer of anything that was broken, and of course as our beloved “wildcard”- no one did it quite like him.

“Chuck was my drumming brother. Over the past few days, I have been listening to a few recent shows when Chuck and I explored rhythmic banter together in exciting and unhinged ways. The profound level of connection that we had could only be manifested through years of touring and living together. Over the past two decades, we have watched each other’s families grow. Chuck, you are a wonderful father and friend. I will always treasure our time together.”

Tim Palmieri:

“I held off on writing about Chuck because I was holding on to hope for his and Charley’s return. I didn’t want to believe my friend and musical comrade who I just spent so much time with was gone.

“My heart is broken for Jenny, Amelia, his family, friends, and fans. To lose both is unthinkable. I find solace in knowing they were together when the time came. Now to find out Arkansas laws are preventing access to getting Life Insurance money really hurts. No one should have to deal with the grief of loss and then also deal with money/legal troubles. Please donate and share the gofundme page. It will mean the world to me and the Morris Family.

“Over the years of touring with my other bands, we would cross paths with Lotus. Chuck was always easy going, kind, warm, and fun to be around. The two years since joining Lotus gave me the opportunity and blessing to know this man. We always roomed together when we rehearsed, went out to eat, drink, gallivant, and find fun wherever and whenever we could on the road. We would listen to music, share philosophies about life, melody, harmony, and rhythm. He always had the best advice when I was needing help and gave me his time and focus whole heartedly.

“His hands! He had the biggest hands. They were to carry out the doings of the biggest heart! Playing percussion, fixing, building things, outdoor activities, hugs, handshakes, he was a beast. He never worked out and his physique was cut like a warrior. I know because we wrestled this past tour, and he nearly crushed my body in a bear hug. I vowed to never wrestle Chuck again. I would give anything for another hug though.

“His work ethic and his dedication in all his relationships will continue to teach, inspire, and guide me. His impact is beautiful to witness with all the stories and memories being shared. Chuck changed our lives for the better. I am grateful and will now cherish these past two years immensely.

“Rest in Peace Charley and Chuck. We will all miss you very much. I will rock in your honor always. Love you.”

According to the local ABC affiliate, severe weather, including sub-freezing temperatures, temporarily halted search efforts the night the pair went missing. The search for the father and son resumed the next day and continued over the weekend. A kayak and jacket were found on Beaver Lake on Thursday, March 16 and a second kayak was recovered on Friday, March 17.

A resident of Kansas City, Missouri, Chuck Morris was into a musical family with his father a chorus director and men’s barbershop arranger. In a 2015 interview, Morris named several percussion influences including Phil Collins, Giovanni Hidalgo, Babatunde Olatunji, Danny Carey, Trilok Gurtu, Aaron Comess, Jon Fishman and Steven Adler. Morris also noted that he began taking drum lessons in the sixth grade and also took part in barbershop competitions as did his sisters.

“One might think I’m the musical black sheep of the family,” Morris said in the interview, “but all those years of high harmony set me up with a knowledge of natural phrasing and spacing that really helps me decipher the right pitches to use.”

As a young adult, Morris moved to Goshen, Indiana to attend college. Lotus was formed in Goshen in 1998 after brothers Jesse Miller and Luke Miller teamed with former Lotus member Steve Clemens, who first met while working at Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp in Divide, Colorado in the summer of 1997.

“In my mind, Lotus originated in the Rocky Mountains at a Snow Camp,” Morris said in the 2015 interview. “Because those initial friendships influenced freshman roommates at a small college in northern Indiana where I resided while pursuing music at another school. I was closer to the Umphrey’s [McGee] camp when I joined forces with the band, which, looking back, seems laughable because these two bands have come so far and now work together!”

Morris began sitting in with Lotus in 2000 and became a full-time member in 2001, around the time Lotus became an instrumental band. Lotus gained traction throughout the 2000s, becoming pioneers of the jamtronica genre. The band called Philadelphia home for a period of time and were part of the vibrant music scene in Denver as well.

Morris continued to record and tour with Lotus and also formed side projects like Nunchuck, a duo with Anthony Fugate formed in Morris’ one-time home base of Colorado. Morris was also for a time a fixture in the Denver music scene, often sitting in with local bands and musicians.

A GoFundMe campaign was established to support the Morris family.

Additionally, Lotus will host a pair of benefit concerts celebrating the lives of Chuck and Charley Morris at the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver on April 21 and 22. Lotus will be joined by a number of close musical friends and collaborators at both concerts. Full net proceeds from the guest-filled shows will go to the Morris Family.

Lotus will proceed with concerts on May 5 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and May 6 in Port Chester, New York as benefits for the Morris Family. The band postponed next month’s West Coast tour.