Rory Don Moore - Hush on the Prairie

Rory Don Moore, "native Texan and proud of it," was born in Beaumont, Texas, and, at an early age, settled in Dallas, Texas. The prairies, creeks, cottonfields and river bottoms of North Central Texas became his playground, and North Texas became his permanent home. His mother, a former Mrs. Texas, was raised in the Piney Woods of deep East Texas near the town of Lufkin, where Rory Don made numerous childhood visits. Because of these 'roots', he developed an endearing love for the area and it's history, music and culture. Above all else, he learned love, respect, the importance of family, and an acute awareness and awe of our natural world. The music writing began while Rory Don resided in Denton, Texas (Denton Callin'), as a student at what was then known as North Texas State University. He and a few friends slapped together a five-piece progressive country band and began playing gigs in the area. A few months later, after the band dismantled, Rory Don did some solo coffee house gigs. Then came marriage, babies, mortgages and an end to performing for another twenty years. In 1996, after separation and divorce, an old Denton friend tracked him down, and soon, they were back on stage (Full Circle). Needing additional songs for his play-list, Rory Don began writing once again. Reaching deep into his East Texas past, the songs soon began a journey from his soul to a colorful palette of lyrics and melodies. His deep familial roots were awakened with the precious memories of trips to the stock pond with his loving Grandad to go fishing (Cane Pole Fishin'), the raw emotions of a father/daughter relationship (Joel's Song), and the lifelong battle with mental illness in his family (Jessie). Then, came the heartbreaking saga of his first grandson, born prematurely, with a devastating disability, and Jakob's journey with his family for only a short time (Jakob's Ladder). Rory Don also recalls his days of chasing fireflies as a child, filled with wonder. One dark night, while driving an all-nighter to Colorado, his daughter, Jessie, awoke and asked what the little yellow glow was on the windshield. He saw that the little glow was the tail of a firefly that had met his end. Thinking quickly, he explained to his tender-aged daughter that the firefly had hit the windshield, had left his tail behind, and kept right on going. A few hours later, he penned a song about a firefly who just wanted to hook up with a nice lady firefly but was shunned because his remaining tail wouldn't glow (Lightnin' Bug). His earliest writing dealt with his concerns for his friends and acquaintances due to their heavy use of dangerous drugs of the seventies (A Letter of Caution). And love? And the ladies? That, too, has left it's mark on Rory Don's songwriting. The sadness is evident as he tries to work through a relationship with his new girlfriend, only to have her cry in his arms over her former lover (Hush My Baby). And finally, the ultimate heartbreak--realizing that he had foolishly lost the most precious relationship of all, his true soulmate (I Left My Soulmate Standing in the Rain). The songs and lyrics are reflections of past influences from family, nature, loves, and the musicians he adores. His favorite Texas artists, including Lyle Lovett, Willis Alan Ramsey, Buckwheat Stevenson, Jerry Jeff Walker and Willie Nelson, all affected his musical style. Hear also influences from Dan Fogelberg, CSNY, Eagles, Leo Kottke, Ry Cooder, Merle Travis, Doc Watson, Roy Acuff and Earl Scruggs. In 2005, Rory Don decided it was time to archive some of his originals and began that process. After recording a ten song original CD over an eight month period, Rory Don Moore is now ready to begin performing again. Stay tuned...

1) Full Circle
2) I Left My Soulmate
3) A Letter of Caution
4) Hush My Baby
5) Jessie
6) Joel's Song
7) Denton Callin'
8) Cane Pole Fishin'
9) Lightnin' Bug
10) Jakob's Ladder