By BRENT MELTON
Route 33 Rhythm & Brews in Wapakoneta is getting ready to host award winning singer/songwriter Dallas Moore in November. Moore has been in the business for 25 years, has created 17 albums, and will be singing the entirety of his new album No God in Juarez during his show.
“It’s one of the last old school roadhouses in America. Ron and his family have a great music venue,” said Moore. Moore took a some time to do an interview while he was in San Diego, California while on his ‘Wild West Tour’.
“I got my first guitar when I was 16,” said Moore of how he got his start in music. Moore said that his mother bought him that first guitar, and that she was a worldrenowned dulcimer musician and on the show ‘Midwestern Hayride’.
“I always played sports, and she got me that guitar to keep me out of trouble and that set me down this path,” said Moore.
Moore currently performs 300 shows a year either with his band, or solo like the upcoming performance in Wapakoneta. This career, said Moore, was something that just kind of happened.
“We mostly played regionally around the Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana area, then we got a chance to tour with many of my heroes,” said Moore. Some of those include legends like Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard.
“My first album came out in 1996, and we’ve just continued to record our own albums independently, and our touring has just grown to where we are now,” said Moore.
“Theres always something new. Always something new and I’m always learning something new and finding new inspiration,” said Moore of writing new songs. He said that there is always new music he finds inspiring, as well as music coming from his family and friends.
“We always find new information on those old songs too. Its just kind our our own way to kick the can a little further down the road,” said Moore.
No God in Juarez is an album that Moore said was 20 years in the making.
“All the songs are written by Billie Gant. I met him when I was 17 years old and had been playing for about a year,” said Moore. After sneaking into a honky tonk Gant was playing at, seeing his wild performance, and being called on stage, Moore said the experience changed his life. “It started 30 years of friendship.”
After Gant suffered a traumatic brain injury he stepped away from music for 13 years, only to return as a prolific song writer according to Moore.
“I told him I’d love to do an album of all your songs,” said Moore. From there Moore said it was a matter of time until everything aligned and the album could be recorded.
“For No God in Juarez he’s been involved in every step along the way,” said Moore.
“They’ve supported the roots music for so many years, gave a home to many singer/songwriters, its a wonderful place,” said Moore of his upcoming venue at Route 33 Rhythm & Brews. He said he tries to perform there at least twice a year, and is looking forward to his visit.
“We always have a great time with everybody there. I’m looking forward to returning to Wapak, its a very special place to me,” said Moore.
Moore’s performance will be Friday, Nov. 3 starting at 8:00 p.m. For more information about the performance, tickets, or about the artist, you can visit DallasMoore. com.