Artist Biography - Allison Moorer

Allison Moorer


	Home Biographies On The Fringe Artist Profile Archives News Flash Message Board Reader's Poll Fan Pics Photo Album Merchandise Artist Websites Related Sites Website Resources Contact Us Get the latest Countrypolitan news! Join our mailing list today! Click Here				Allison Moorer, at the age of 28, is one of the most talented singer/songwriters in Nashville today. She is currently representing her fellow songwriters on the first Board of Directors for the Americana Music Association which was founded in October 1999. Moorer grew up in the southern Alabama town of Frankville, a town so small that they don't even have a traffic light. After high school, Moorer joined her older sister, country singer Shelby Lynne, on tour as a backup singer. Lynne is just coming into her own success with a recent Grammy award for Best New Artist. Needless to say, musical talent runs strong in this family. Moorer recently discussed this in an interview with the LA Times : Both of their parents were musical. Moorer describes her mother as a gifted singer with an incredible ear and a love for country and early rock. She says her father played in bands on weekends and loved the country outlaw movement, especially Waylon Jennings. He encouraged the girls to sing, taking them to fiddlers' conventions so they could get some practice in front of an audience. Upon completing her studies at the University of Southern Alabama, Moorer packed her bags and headed to Nashville with aspirations of being a studio backing vocalist. She again joined Lynne on tour where she met fellow musician Doyle "Butch" Primm, who persuaded her to pursue a solo career. They collaborated on songwriting projects and married five years ago. Moorer secured her first publishing contract in 1996 with Windswept Pacific headquartered in Los Angeles. After hearing about Moorer through a friend, Jonathon Stone arranged a meeting where she played some songs on the guitar for him. A few days later, Moorer had her first publishing deal. But, this was just the beginning. In June 1996, Moorer was invited to perform on Austin City Limits as a part of the benefit show for the family of her close friend Walter Hyatt who was killed in the infamous Valujet crash in the Florida Everglades. After hearing Moorer, Bobby Cudd, the booking agent who helped put the show together, hooked her up with MCA Nashville president/producer Tony Brown. Brown asked her to cut four demos and was so impressed that he arranged a showcase for the label heads. As she was coming off the stage, Tony told her, "We've got a deal." Brown co-produced her 1998 debut album, "Alabama Song," with Kenny Greenberg. This album featured "A Soft Place To Fall," her best known single from the motion picture soundtrack "The Horse Whisperer," which earned her and co-writer Gwil Owen an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. This song also caught the attention of actor/director Robert Redford which earned her a cameo appearance in the film. Though the album was released to mass critical acclaim, the material was not radio friendly. Radio programmers look for more pop-influenced material and Moorer's material is far from pop. Moorer is another victim of mainstream radio's "too country" mantra. She showcases her childhood musical influences of roots, rhythm and blues, outlaw movement, and countrypolitan styles. She once said, "If there's one record that influenced me more than any record that exists, it's the Outlaw record that Waylon, Willie, Jessie and Tompall did. It played in my house constantly when I was a kid." This is very evident in both her debut album and her newest release, "The Hardest Part" (September 2000). Moorer and Primm wrote and co-produced every song on "The Hardest Part." This album has gotten a lot of attention due to its song content. When you listen to these songs in order, they tell the listener a story about love gone bad and the painful journey to finding love and trust again. These songs send a very personal message, which anyone who's ever been in love can relate to. The title track is very honest in the attention-grabbing lyrics, "Life is hard when love is so unkind." The most poignant lines of this song are in the chorus; "The hardest part of living is loving, 'cause loving turns to leaving every time. And the hardest part of leaving is living." All of us have experienced these sentiments in one form or another whether it be a lover, parent, sibling or friend. Her message in this song is that love is not infinite, but that it will indeed come to a close some day. Her first single release, "Send Down An Angel," is currently on video. This song has some more heart-wrenching lyrics that catches the listener's attention. The first verse ends with these words: "Oh, I'm calling out to you. Send down an angel to get me through. I'm not the praying kind but, it can't hurt to try. I can't find the answer by myself. I need help." This plea for help is the beginning of the healing process after the loss of great love. Moorer is a master of translating her emotions to song. It shines through in every track on this album. Although she was careful to not let her personal tragedy overshadow the entire album, it is obvious that she drew on that experience in writing these songs. There is a hidden track at the end of the CD in which she tells the story of her parents' tragic ending in "Cold, Cold Earth." When Moorer was in her early teens, her mother and father separated. A few months later, her father, caught in the grips of grief, murdered her mother and then turned the gun on himself. "Cold, Cold Earth" is done in a folk style with only a cello and acoustic guitar accompanying her soulful voice. Her emotion adds to the edginess of her vocals. Listening to this song with the knowledge of the truth makes it that much more touching. If you don't feel moved by this song, then you better get to the doctor, because your heart has malfunctioned. Who hasn't lived these songs? Moorer's honesty in song is very gripping and makes the listener feel her pain. This is what country music is all about. It's refreshing to see a young artist stay true to herself and the tradition. If you like honest country music that touches your soul, then you must add Allison Moorer's work to your collection. Watch this one, because she will go far once she gets the big break that is sure to come her way. Click here to look for Allison Moorer's music. *Written by Sherry Anderson. January 2001, Countrypolitan.com.*

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