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Lathan Moore tried to follow the logical path.
The Harrisburg native tried higher education. After graduating high school in 2000, he attended Southeastern Illinois College for a year, and then received a musical scholarship to Wayland Baptist University in Texas.
“School just wasn’t for me,” Moore says.
He came back to Saline County and worked at Liberty Coal for a year. Mining is in his genes. His father has been a coal miner at American Coal for 35 years. Moore didn’t plan on digging coal for the rest of his life; he was saving a nest egg to finance a move to Nashville.
Not your typical country singer, the 29-year old Moore grew up listening to gospel music. There was no steady diet of Merle Haggard and George Jones.
“My listening habits were centered around the piano and strictly gospel music. I’m a big fan of Kenny Hinson. I still love the Southern gospel sound of The Hinsons. I’ve done a few shows with the New Hinsons, and it was an amazing experience,” Moore says.
After high school, Moore showcased his rich baritone voice throughout the Heartland as a member of two quartets, Eastern Sky and Reliance, before heading off to college in Texas.
In the Lone Star State, Moore was exposed to an exciting brand of country music. Sure, there was the typical drinking and cheating songs, but there were also powerful tunes with strong vocals, solid instrumentation and uplifting messages.
Low on funds, he formed a plan. He would move back home and work in the mines just long enough to finance a move to Nashville. A little apprehensive at pulling the trigger on the move, he knew the time was right when two friends graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau and were taking jobs in Nashville. They invited him to make the move with them and he jumped at the opportunity.
Moore made the move to Music City in 2005, and he has been learning valuable career lessons on almost a daily basis.
“I’ve always wanted to sing. My dream was to go to Nashville and give it my best shot. The most important thing is to make as many contacts as possible, stay active and let people know you’re still in the game,” Moore says. “The system down here is very political and definitely doesn’t move too fast. If you’re going make it, plan on staying done here for a long time.”
Moore signed with Blue Steel Records in 2008. His debut single on the independent label, “Beautiful Girl,” was released earlier this year and follow-up “Love In Your Life” came out earlier this month. The album showcases Moore’s deep soulful voice and the tunes drenched with faith, community, family and patriotism.
Local fans will have an opportunity to see the native son in concert at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11, when he appears at Black Diamond Harley Davidson in Marion for a “Christmas Clothes For Kids” benefit concert for the Fowler-Bonan Foundation. All proceeds will be used to purchase school clothes for needy children.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door and can be purchased at Black Diamond, Integrated Health of Southern Illinois in Harrisburg and People’s Bank locations in Marion, Harrisburg and Benton.
Also performing will be Cache River. Popular Nashville songwriter Kendell Marvel, a native of Thompsonville, was originally scheduled to appear but pulled out of the event due to a scheduling conflict. Organizers are currently searching for a replacement.
At Blue Steel, Moore’s debut album was produced by living legend Norro Wilson.
“Getting to work with Norro Wilson was a thrilling experience,” Moore says. “He was able to go to the big publishing companies and get the best songs from the best writers. I’m slowly climbing towards the top, but the ladder is awful high. You gotta be willing to stick it out and wait for the big break. It’s all about being at the right place at the right time. “
Moore says he seems to be gaining local momentum with a recent concert opening for Josh Thompson and huge fundraisers for Farrell Hospital in Harrisburg and Black Diamond in Marion.
— Vince Hoffard can be reached at 618-658-9095 or vincehoffard@yahoo.com.
