max it or break it

Newcomer Max Morgan brings the transatlantic pop-rock.

If you hear a little of this and a little of that in Max's song "Don't Stop" this week on "Make it or Break it ," you can chalk it up to a lot of experiences.

Like his growing pains. Literally. When Max turned 13, he started growing so fast that the pain kept him from playing soccer. So he had to chill, which was when he started taking music lessons (guitar, saxophone, clarinet, and even choir) and discovered a new passion. One that didn't require body contact. From pain comes triumph, right?

He also owes some of his style to England (Liverpool, England, where the Beatles came from), and where he went to, which was all over. Like Newcastle (in England), Turkey, Southampton, and even Orange County and Hollywood.

His dad influenced him a lot, too, by turning him on to American rock by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Guns N' Roses, and Bruce Springsteen. And then, living here in the U.S., Max rediscovered his "English thing" and learned to like Oasis and other bands from back home.

His debut album, "Interrupting the Silence," has won tons of critical acclaim and landed his music on "Grey's Anatomy" and the NFL Network.

"The album gives you a very good idea of where I am at this point in my life," Max says. "It's about me leaving the comfort of home to go and risk it all for what I believe and love to do -- sing and perform."

What life experiences have changed and inspired you?