 Country music’s past
is long and varied…with names like Jim
Reeves, Patsy Cline, George Jones, Tex Ritter,
Merle Haggard, Hank Locklin, Freddie Hart, Johnny
Cash, Hank Williams, Sr., and so many more
familiar names who’ve found their place in
the history books. There are, however, many more
personalities, although not as familiar, that
have played a significant role in the formation
and evolution of country music. Johnny Moore is
certainly one of those people.
Growing up in Anson, Texas, Johnny developed a
love of music early on. By the age of 12, he was
hosting his own radio show on KDWT in Stamford,
Texas. In the 1940s and 1950s, his musical career
reached new heights and included a couple of
hits, “Fifteen Acres of Peanut Land”
and “Sold To The Highest Bidder”
reaching sales of over a quarter million which
was quite a feat in those early years.
While he was riding high on his newfound success,
he often shared the same stage with names like
Ernest Tubb, Jim Reeves, Faron Young, Carl Smith
and Johnny Horton. During this time, he forged
many friendships and it was the deaths of two of
those friends, Jim Reeves and Johnny Horton which
led Johnny to make a life-changing decision.
Although he loved country music, he stepped away
from the spotlight and left the music business.
As a dedicated family man, he couldn’t bear
the thought of not being there for his wife and
children. Although that decision took him down a
different career path and eventually led him to
owning several service stations in Nashville as
well as Texas, his connection to country music
remained strong, often allowing entertainers to
park their buses on his property and repairing
their vehicles.
 Johnny’s
musical influence reaches beyond his own career.
He organized the first public performance of his
niece, Jeannie C. Riley, at the Jones County
Jamboree in Texas. In the 1960s, he brought
Jeannie to Nashville to record and since then,
Jeannie has become a country music icon and her
smash hit, “Harper Valley, PTA,”
written by another country music legend, Tom T.
Hall is still a standard in country music
circles.
After his retirement, Johnny Moore, picked up his
guitar and started performing again. Happily
married with four children, seven grandchildren
and four great-grandchildren -- looking back, he
has no regrets. He did what he had to do for his
family and that’s what matters most to him.
When reflecting on the past, he simply comments,
“I’ve had a good life.”
Since he started performing again, he has
received numerous accolades for his work in
country music including the Tennessee Country
Music Alliance Award for “dedication and
faithfulness to country and gospel music” as
well as his hometown of Anson, Texas declaring
“Johnny Moore Day,” which is celebrated
every year with a parade and entertainment.
Johnny Moore’s passion for country music is
evident whether you’re speaking with him
about his music or listening to one of his CDs.
Johnny Moore is what country music is all about -
honest, hard-working people with a passion for
life - he is a Country Classic!www.JohnnyMooreCountry.com
|
