“It’s a dirt road, a fishin’ pole, a cold beer sittin on a tailgate, an old church, a kind word, it’s where I was born and raised, Heaven Ain’t That Far Away”.
The lyrics from Justin Moore’s self penned song. “Heaven Ain’t That Far Away”, typifies his philosophy on life. In his music and his life, Justin embodies the soul and character of a kid from a small town.
Justin moved to Nashville, Tennessee right out of high school at the age of 18. He came from Poyen Arkansas, population 272 where he’d been raised by his parents Tommy Ray and Charlene Moore on the family’s 100 acres of land. One would have to go to Poyen to really get a sense of just how “small town” it is. There are no street lights, mostly dirt roads, a florist in an old trailer and a filling station, but, as Justin sings in his upcoming 2 CD single release “Small Town USA” it’s where “everybody knows me and I know them and that’s the way I believe we were supposed to live” you know it’s from the heart and that he wouldn’t want to have been raised anywhere else.
His grandpa “Pa” and grandma Faynette raised cattle and Justin would help feed the herd, bush hog the fields and learn about hard work as a young boy. His other grandparents, “PaPa” and “Ma” lived a mile down the road, and “PaPa” taught Justin to fish and hunt and had him in a deer stand hunting before he was 1 year old.
Justin has been singing since he was 2, and at 8 years old he won the talent contest at Poyen High School. He grew up singing gospel songs in church and listening to nothing but country music. He’s a student of the genre and can literally sing you thousands of country songs, from old to new, word for word, melody perfect!
By the time Justin got to Nashville, he had a manger and an offer as a writer/artist with Zomba Music Publishing. As things often go in the music business, Zomba got sold and Justin wound up signing his writing deal with Big Picture Music, headed by renowned producer of Alan Jackson, among others, Keith Stegal.
Through his attorney, Justin was introduced to young up and coming producer, Jeremy Stover, and as a result Jeremy became both the producer and main co-writer with Justin. This quickly led to an offer from Scott Borchetta for a record contract, and while it took a few years to materialize, Justin has seen the benefits of being patient and his willingness to wait for the opportunity to work with Scott and his staff at Big Machine Records/The Valory Music Company, home to Taylor Swift, Reba, Jewel, Jimmy Wayne and others. Watch "Small Town USA" in the video here!
2008 became a big year for Justin, as he and his band were fortunate enough to tour with some big stars. January ’08 led to tour dates with Trace Adkins/ Luke Bryan and then The Rowdy Frynds Tour with Lynyrd Skynyrd and Hank Williams Jr., two of Justin’s musical heros. A show with Brooks and Dunn with ZZ Top was just another highlight of a great year.
An extensive radio tour was finished in December of ’08 where Justin got to meet and play solo for all the major market program directors and staff, to great success.
Justin also got his first single. “Back That Thing Up” out to radio in ’08 and it quickly made the top 40 on the country charts. His next single “Small Town USA” and the video, which was shot in his home town, will be out in February ’09.
Justin’s live show with his band is something to see. It’s high energy, non-stop, rockin’ country, where his songs tell the truth about a kid from a small town who’s doing all he ever wanted to do, play country music!
Visit Justin Moore at the official Valory Music Company website!
99.5 WYCD, Detroit's Best Country Music Radio, is the leader in Detroit Country Music
and News. Listen live online worldwide to 99.5 WYCD, for up to the minute breaking
Country Music News, Detroit Area Concert information, and 99.5 WYCD Country Music events. Watch the latest country artist interviews on video at wycd.com, or download
your favorite podcast of top of the hour Country Music. 99.5 WYCD and wycd.com serve
the Detroit Metro area with 24-hour news, weather, and country music. Wake up in the
morning with The Dr. Don Morning Show with Doc, Rachael Hunter, Steve Grunwald and
Jason the 300lb Cowboy. Tune in for Lunch on Demand, middays with Mike Scott, listen on
your drive home with Edwards and Lee's Chuck Edwards and Linda Lee, and spend your
evenings with Dave Fuller and Jason the 300lb. Cowboy! www.wycd.com
“It’s a dirt road, a fishin’ pole, a cold beer sittin on a tailgate, an old church, a kind word, it’s where I was born and raised, Heaven Ain’t That Far Away”.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
