 “…a part of the history that made
Country Music.”
Tommy
Hill
Johnny Foy Moore, from Anson, Texas started his singing career with
his own radio show on station KDWT in Stamford, Texas at the age of
12. His early heroes were Jim Reeves, George Jones, Ray Price,
Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell, Merle Haggard, Willie
Nelson, Freddie Hart and Tommy and Johnny Cash, just to mention a
few. He sang their songs as he learned to play the guitar.
Johnny’s music career really took off during the 1940’s and 50’s.
He shared the same stage with many of his heroes who went on to
become some of the biggest names in Country music including Elvis
Presley. During this time he performed all over Texas and on big
radio shows like the Big-D Jamboree and the Louisianna Hayride on
KWKH in Shreveport, LA. Two of Johnny’s most famous hits were
“Fifteen Acres Of Peanut Land” and “Sold To The Highest Bidder”
(which sold a quarter of a million records)
All
this would change with the passing of two of Johnny’s friends and
idols (Jim Reeves And Johnny Horton). Johnny, then in his
mid-thirties and at the beginning of big-time success, walked away.
He said, “I didn’t want the same thing to happen to me too and leave
my wife without a husband and children without a father. I figure
if it could happen to them, it could happen to me, so I quite the
business in 1964”. After leaving the business, Johnny became a
success with a business of his own. He became the owner of several
service stations in Nashville and in Texas. These stations allowed
Johnny to maintain contact with many of his music friends as he
often repaired their vehicles.
Johnny says that one of his biggest admirers was his niece, Jeannie
C. Riley. Late in the 1960’s Johnny brought her to Nashville to
record. She became an overnight success with her hit Harper Valley
P.T.A.
 Since
his retirement, Johnny has once again pursued his love for pure
country music. He has been honored by the Tennessee Country Music
Alliance for his dedication and faithfulness to country & gospel
music. His hometown of Anson, Texas awarded him with a Johnny Moore
Day. He has recently released a couple of CD’s, one entitled”From
One Texas To Another” in which he sings hits from Jim Reeves.
Johnny is performing once again and loving it!
He
and his precious wife of 54 years, Susie, live in Crossville,
Tennessee. They has 4 children and 7 grandchildren. Susie is glad
Johnny is performing again. She said, “I’ve been after him for
years to get back into the music business. I wanted our
grandchildren to hear him…” But most important she says, “I also
know that he always loved it and I’ve known it has made him happy
all this time.”
I am
blessed that Johnny Moore is my uncle, as well as my musical
mentor. In sharing his stage with me, he became my inspiration to
pursue a career of my own in country music. His God-given ability
to
 become
“one” with his audience was the valuable training I needed in
learning how to communicate from the heart. Uncle Johnny’s homespun
personality is one of warmth, humility, sincerity and love and he is
loved by everyone he meets.
“Johnny Moore” is not a household name in the music industry, but
certainly not because he lacked the talent. It is just a case of
priorities belonging to a man who has always put the needs of others
first, especially those of his own household. Uncle Johnny’s
lifetime dream was placed on a back burner as he provided well for
the family he loves.
Having become a very successful businessman, Uncle Johnny’s
benevolent nature has come to the aid of many, myself included. In
turn, it is well deserved that he should spend his years of
retirement doing the thing he most enjoys doing, performing country
music.
Jeannie C.Riley
|
