Corson Branch Buzzard Club Featuring Max Morrissey to Perform July 4TH in Tecumseh

The Corson Branch Buzzard Club featuring Tecumseh native Max Morrissey, a 2006 Tecumseh graduate, will be performing at the Johnson County Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 4 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in celebration of the 250th anniversary of American Independence. This event is sponsored by the Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce.
According to Morrissey, the name of the band came from the Corson Branch of the Nemaha River, which runs near a farm owned by the late Tim Fox and his wife, Liz. Max Morrissey remembers his family going out to the Fox farm, hanging out by the campfire and playing music, and just being together. The Buzzard Club portion of the band’s name came from seeing buzzards flying around a barn at the Fox farm.
The band members have been friends for about a decade and began playing music together about five years ago. Morrissey said the band performed in Tecumseh in 2025 as part of the Tecumseh Creative District’s efforts to invite the public to learn more about the musical and artistic talents available in the region. The Corson Branch Buzzard Club has also performed two or three shows in Lincoln as well as one show in Brownville.
“We’re looking to expand our performance area,” said Morrissey.
The five-member Americana folk music band consists of one musician from Michigan, three Lincoln musicians and Morrissey. The music they play is folk music from the 1800s through the 1930s and 1940s. “This is very early country music which eventually evolved into bluegrass music,” said Morrissey.
Morrissey started playing guitar at the age of 9. He remembers performing for a birthday party at age 12. He also performed in a show outside of Auburn at age 15. Morrissey became real active in his musical performances in high school and college.
“I’m really excited to be back in Tecumseh,” said Morrissey, as this is his 20th class reunion. He is looking forward to seeing folks from his class as well as friends of his parents, Spence and Deb Morrissey.
“It’s really important to see live music being played,” said Morrissey. “I can remember going to Sterling and Johnson to hear bands such as the Rumbles playing. I was in awe of watching these people play and it inspired me in my career as a musician.” He remembers having the opportunity to perform with singers such as Carolyn Oleson and other musicians during the Sunday jamming sessions at the Tecumseh Tavern under the ownership of Randy Dittmer in 2002.
In addition to being a musician with the Corson Branch Buzzard Club, Morrissey has been teaching special education at Moore Middle School in Lincoln for the past 14 years. This fall, Morrissey will have a new title as he will become the school’s reading interventionist.
Morrissey considers himself lucky to be playing with four extremely good musicians. Morrissey plays the banjo as well as electric and acoustic guitar. According to Morrissey, the banjo is an instrument that came from Africa and was played by the slaves up until the Depression era. This music was played by the pioneers up until the World War II era and is a good sample of early American music.
“It’s the type of music folks played as a form of entertainment. It was a way for families to have fun and relax,” said Morrissey.
The band usually practices once or twice a month, depending on the schedules of their full-time jobs and other family commitments and activities. The practices take place in a studio set up in the basement of one of the band members. The band has one album and are currently working on their second album. Copies of the first album will be available at the Johnson County Fairgrounds on July 4.
“We’re thankful to Tecumseh’s Creative District for doing things like this,” said Morrissey. “We want our musical culture to continue to grow. Our kids need to see music in all of its forms so they can see the role and the impact music has had in our lives today as well as throughout American history.”
Morrissey and his wife, Stephanie have two children, Ruby and Leo. Morrissey indicated that Ruby loves singing and dancing, while Leo is just content to listen to the music as the band plays.