J. R. Moore
Feed the Band
Our interview with
J. R. Moore
Patrick L.
Wow! We are on our 16th interview here on Feed the Band. It is really amazing how much our family has grown in a year. I often look back at where we started and am in awe at what you, our Southern Fellow Family, have achieved. You have given your heart to others, as well as myself. I could not be more grateful. You all represent the spirit of Southern Fellow and the holiday season we are in. I am now honored to welcome a new member to our family, Mr. J. R. Moore.
To many people, J.R. Moore seems like a new name on the music scene. However, he has been in the music industry for awhile now. He is a musician, songwriter and the lead singer of Ingram Hill. All this, with his Memphis upbringing, has molded him to the artist he is today. Each milestone has built the steps to his first solo EP “Rocket”.
“Rocket” represents J. R. Moore in a very pure form. It is a culmination of his time in the music industry. It is not directly country, rock or blues. However, J. R. Moore has eclectically formed these branches of music to a sound that is very much his own. In Memphis BBQ terms, he has a dang good sauce recipe. Everything just works well together. There is a good amount of sweetness, a few sour notes and he brings some heat. All of this comes together in an awesome way for J. R. Moore.
We spent a little time with J. R. for this interview. We would like to thank him for his time away from his family and music. You really can’t ask for a better guy. Let’s get our questions answered. Also look out for the recipe he inspired and our giveaway. Here is our interview with J. R. Moore.
“More Than Anyone’s Ever Loved” has a beautiful melody. Tell us how it came to be.
Thanks! I wrote that song with a terrific writer named Bruce Wallace. It truly was one of the writing sessions that you dream about, where the song almost just writes itself. We just got in a room and started playing guitar and spitballing lyrics and melodies, and then it just came together perfectly, and we were finished with the song in about 90 minutes.
You are a big family guy. What is a Christmas tradition that your family likes to follow each year?
Our family has grown so much recently, among each of our siblings getting married and having kids, that we haven’t had a lot of time to start traditions. Our holidays are usually a juggling act to make sure we get to spend time with everyone. So maybe that’s our Christmas tradition. Juggling.
You have had a successful career as a songwriter. What advice would you give to those who are looking to break into the music business?
Look for another line of work. Just kidding. Kind of. But seriously, the more you write, the better. And the more you can with people that you trust to say your terrible ideas out loud to, and finding more of those people, the better. I like to write alone, but I also completely appreciate the enormous benefit of collaboration.
What inspires you and how have you used that in your everyday life?
I think seeing and hearing other talented people inspires me. It makes me want to try harder at music. Complacency is probably an artist’s worst enemy.
What type of Christmas cookie will Santa get this year?
Santa is a big fan of oatmeal raisin cookies, though I have a feeling he’s going to get whatever my wife decides to make.
Our expertise at Southern Fellow is creating new recipes. When it comes to writing music is there a certain recipe you follow?
I almost always create a melody first. Some people can easily come up with a title, and then work from there. It’s not that I can’t do that, but for me, melody is the first ingredient.
If Santa were to grant you one wish, what would that wish be and why would it be important to you?
Santa’s coming with a heavy hitter, I see! Seriously, there’s really only one clear answer here. Headlining a sold-out worldwide stadium tour, obviously.
What is your first fond memory of food?
I was an incredibly picky eater when I was a kid. Some would call that a total pain the rear, and now that I have kids, I would completely agree. I really only ever wanted McDonald’s at that age. And once my parents decided they wanted to eat at a restaurant called Huey’s in Memphis. And I, naturally, pitched a fit, and just decided not to order anything. About 15 minutes later, the waiter placed two cheeseburgers and fries in front my parents, while I just sat there and smelled how good their burgers smelled. Well I finally got so hungry that I got over my tantrum and ordered a burger, and it was amazing, and I was clearly wrong for wanting McDonald’s. To this day, it’s still my favorite burger.
If you wrote a song about food, what would it be about?
Cheeseburgers and cookies n cream ice cream. I mean, at least if we’re going favorites.
The New Year is just around the corner, what does 2019 hold for you?
Hopefully, lots of money! But most likely, a lot of shows, and writing more songs.
Fans who have followed your music know you from the earlier days as the lead singer of the band Ingram Hill. Tell us about your time working with the band…any cool stories you could share?
Probably none of which I could share on a family publication. Ha! No, it was a great time of my life. We made some really good records and had plenty of great tours. We still play shows when we get everyone’s schedules lined up, which is way harder to do these days than you’d think.
Try this inspired recipe
Guava BBQ Sauce
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some merch!
Are you currently involved in a charity? If not, and you started one yourself what purpose would it serve and why is that issue important to you?
I’m not actively involved in a charity right now, but when I do things where a charity is requested, I almost always choose St. Jude,though my Ingram Hill guitar player now works for a charity called Rock To Recovery, so I may have to split up my allegiance in the future.
If Merriam-Webster was to define your music, what do you think that definition would say?
It would just cite this Donnie and Marie Osmond gem:
I’m a little bit country, and I’m a little bit rock and roll. I’m a little bit of Memphis and Nashville with a little bit of Motown in my soul.
Is there anything else you would like to share with your fans at Southern Fellow?
I’m excited to finally have new music to share with everyone, and I appreciate you doing the interview. Now go buy my record so I can get that stadium tour!
J. R. Moore is working hard. Judging by his EP, his labor is paying off. It is great having him in the Southern Fellow family. I can guarantee this is not the last you will hear from J. R. Moore. He really brings some freshness to the music industry.
Do I really have to say it at this point? You know what time it is. It’s time to freshen up that playlist. You can find his new EP “Rocket” on your favorite streaming service including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music and Google Music. Also, make sure you enter in our giveaway down below. Thank you for tuning in here at Feed the Band. Stay tuned for more music and recipes coming to you soon.
