Essential 8: Dallas Moore

Dallas Moore. Photo courtesy of Sol Records. ​

Dallas Moore, whose band is the 2017 Ameripolitan Music Award winner for “Outlaw Group of the Year”, will bring his latest album, Mr. Honky Tonk, to the masses on March 2nd. Produced by Dean Miller and backed by country luminaries including harmonica legend Mickey Raphael, bassist Michael Rhodes and pedal-steel master Steve Hinson, Mr. Honky Tonk is sure to be a timeless entry in the outlaw country canon. Recently, Moore, who played 327 shows in 2017,  kindly took the time to answer his Essential 8 and filled us in on the story behind his album's title, his love of family and the road, where to get some good eats, and more!

Do you have a musical mentor? If so, who is it and how did they influence you?
My musical mentor was my Godfather, the late, great Jody Payne ( longtime guitarist for Willie Nelson). Jody had such a profound influence on me over the years. I had been opening some shows for Willie back in the '90s, mostly in Kentucky and Ohio, and I got booked to open a show at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington. When I showed up all the way out there, Jody asked where I was originally from. When I told him Norwood, Ohio, his jaw dropped. Come to find out, Jody graduated Norwood High School one year ahead of my Mama Madgelee.

He proclaimed on the spot that I had become both a brother and a son to him, which made him my Godfather. From that point on, whenever I'd open a show for Willie, Ol' Jody would join me on guitar for my set. We spent a lot of time at Jody and Vicki Payne's Twin Oaks Ranch in Alabama and Jody taught us all so much about music and life. The last album he played on before he passed away was our "Hank To Thank Live At Herzog Studio" album recorded 61 years to the day of Hank Williams' historic recording sessions there. The last words he said to me were " I'll be with you every step of the way" and he definitely is. We feel his presence and pay tribute to Jody every night in every single show.

What's the story behind the album title?
The title track, "Mr. Honky Tonk" was actually written about 20 years ago. I never really felt like we had gotten a great take of it in the studio over the years and when I got the chance to record this album with Dean Miller producing, it was the first song I wanted to take a shot at. We nailed on the first take and I felt like I finally had what I'd been hearing in my head for that song all these years! As far as the subject matter of Mr. Honky Tonk I always say  "I know that guy" and, well, sometimes I am that guy.

When/where do you do your best writing?
I do the vast majority of my writing while I'm out riding my Harley Davidson Road King.
When I'm alone on a long ride it’s really the only time I'm free to let my mind open up and wander. Lyrics and melodies seem to come out of the wind and into my mind; by the time I get back to my destination I'll pick up a guitar and flesh out the songs. I write from both personal experiences and observations I make while we're out on the road. I’ve never been able to sit down and write in a controlled environment. It always seems to come from nowhere and happen organically. I reckon it's different for everybody, but that's what works for me.

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What's the best advice you've ever got from a musician?
The best advice I've ever gotten came from Willie Nelson when he said: "Do it for the love, but never be above the money!" - Words of Willie Wisdom.

What's your favorite food on the road?
My favorites are Kent Blacks BBQ in San Marcos, Texas (Beef Rib, Jalapeño Sausage, Brisket and Turkey with a cold Lone Star Beer), The Pho Laotian Hot #12 ( Hottest Pho in San Antonio) at Noy's Bistro in Universal City, Texas. Blackened Scallops from Chef Billy Highland at The Florabama Yacht Club in Perdido Key, Florida, and The Puttanesca at Sunset Pizza in Sunset Beach, California. Good Eats!

What do you love most about being on the road?
We are on the road all the time, consistently playing over 300 shows a year. I love getting to play my music and the songs I love from my heroes and friends for new people most every night. I don't like the term "fans" as I really feel like we’re out here making lifelong friends and family. The music is what brings us all together.
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Some folks think we're crazy with the way we do it, and some of our routing can seem grueling on paper, but I truly love every aspect of it. It's become the only life I know. It helps that I'm out here doing this with my best friends in the band and crew; we share a lot of laughs to go along with all the miles we put in. The road is where I belong. “Home Is Where The Highway Is!”

Have you met any of your heroes?
I've been blessed over the years to meet most of my Honky Tonk Heroes. From Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, David Allan Coe, etc. to many of my songwriting heroes like Billy Joe Shaver, Dean Dillon, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Billy Don Burns. It's especially good when your heroes become your friends. I always learn something new and try to honor their influence on me. Keep kicking the can a little further down the road.

Favorite thing to do on a day off?
I don't get many days off but when I do my absolute favorite thing is spending time with my Wife Jenna Danielle Moore and our baby girl Victory Lee Moore. Baby V is our first child and was born on June 14th of 2017. I'm loving being a new Dad and we spend every moment we can together as a family. Jenna and Victory will be joining us more and more on our tours whenever possible; we’re a happy little family. They are my heart and soul so anything we get to do together is definitely my favorite thing to do on a day off. I love my girls!

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