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Second Cup Cafe: Matt Morris

Singer-songwriter Matt Morris has come a long way since his Disney days.

This soulful Denver native got his first taste of stardom as a member of the Mickey Mouse Club and has been a behind-the-scenes force in the music business for almost a decade, penning hit songs for the likes of Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson and close friend and fellow Mousketeer, Justin Timberlake.

Now, he brings his talent to the forefront with his debut album, "When Everything Breaks Open," which was released on Tennman Records this week.

He stopped by "The Early Show Saturday Edition"'s "Second Cup Cafe" to perform his songs, "Money" and "Love," off the new CD.

The album, a combination of rock, R&B, folk, and pop, was co-produced by Timberlake, who's the Tennman CEO, and Austin guitar legend Charlie Sexton.

Morris isn't shy. He puts it all out there for all to see -- from the personal and political to the romantic and spiritual.

He was a part of the Mickey Mouse Club for four seasons, from 1991-1995, with Timberlake, Aguilera, Britney Spears, Keri Russell, Ryan Gosling and JC Chasez.

His fellow Mousketeers went onto pop stardom after the show, while Morris wanted to return to his normal life and go to high school before launching his music career.

"At 15, all I really wanted to do was hang out, get my learner's permit, and not work," Morris says on his official Web site. "I didn't want to be a celebrity; I wanted to be a kid."

Morris has a stellar track record when collaborating. He and Aguilera co-wrote five songs on her "Stripped" album, including the hit "Can't Hold Us Down," and they also wrote Clarkson's hit, "Miss Independent." Morris teamed up with Timberlake to write "(Another Song) All Over Again" for Justin's 2008 "FutureSex/LoveSounds."

Music runs in the family. Morris' father is country artist Gary Morris, a former Broadway actor and once one of country's biggest stars.

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