A Chat with Randy C Moore (09.06.26)
Since the age of 15, singer-songwriter Randy C Moore has firmly rooted himself in the Nashville country music scene. Hailing from Humble, Texas, Moore was making his own records as a teenager, receiving regular airplay for his first single, featuring on the world-famous Gilley’s club in Pasadena, Texas, and by the time he graduated high school, he was featured on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry. Moore has also shared the stage with Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Phoebe Snow, Amy Grant and Hank Williams Jr. Today, we speak with the talented musician about his new single, ‘High Cost Of Low Livin’, his thoughts on AI, and much more.
OSR: You entered the music industry at a rather young age, making records when you were a teenager and featuring on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry before you graduated from high school. What really drew you to music? Also, do you think having those years of experience contributed to your understanding of the music industry today?
Moore: I never wanted to be a musician. My first passion was art: painting, pen & ink, drawing, and sculpture. I fell into music as a novel way to get the attention of girls in my classroom at school. After some time, I realized that I liked singing and playing in front of an audience, so I focused my energy towards music. And yes, I’ve gained a ton of experience on some of the greatest stages. Now, how does that help in my understanding of the music industry today? I would have to say the more I see and do as an artist, the more relevant those stages become.
OSR: You recently released your single ‘High Cost Of Low Livin’. What can you tell us about the single? Is there a backstory or theme?
Moore: My latest single release, ‘High Cost of Low Livin’, started out as just the title line that my co-writer, Mason Cooper, came up with. From there I just put myself in it, ’cause most of the lyrics I have lived.
OSR: Do you feel that the music you are releasing now – ‘Forget Me Not’ and ‘High Cost Of Low Livin’ – are accurate representations of you as a musician and person today?
Moore: I’ve been making records now for about 40 years, and my recent singles and albums all reflect my personal experiences and feelings. So to be fair, ‘Forget Me Not’ and ‘High Cost of Low Livin’ are only part of the picture. But they are definitely representations of the music artist, Randy C Moore.
OSR: What do you hope people take from ‘High Cost of Low Livin’, and what does the song mean to you?
Moore: ‘High Cost’ is for the most part a kick in the pants track, with a tinge of “actions mean consequences”. If anyone takes anything away from it, I hope it’s humor in the narrative and the beat of the band.
OSR: You’ve shared the stage with various artists including Bruce Springsteen and Amy Grant. To date, which is the most memorable performance for you and why that gig?
Moore: In 2001, I played a benefit for The Alliance of Neighbors called ‘The Seeds of Healing’. The show was on the Jersey Shore adjacent to New York City as a concert for victims of the 9/11 attacks. It was the first major concert event following the tragic events. Bruce Springsteen was the headliner of an all-star cast of music artists. All I can say is, this was the moment, the show, the performance that I was destined to experience. I was able to use all of my skills as a music artist and all of my empathy as a human being to help make a day better for others. There is no higher calling in life than to give all of what you are to those who truly need it the most.
OSR: You are a member of the European Country Music Hall of Fame. How did you feel when you were inducted, and what does being part of the Hall of Fame mean to you?
Moore: Being inducted into the European Country Music Hall of Fame is an honor and an unexpected thrill. I’m humbled by the expression.
OSR: Alright, so as a veteran or seasoned musician, what are the biggest changes you have seen in the music industry, and how do you feel about the use of AI in music?
Moore: I’ll go in reverse for this answer. I’m not an AI guy. What you have to understand is AI is the latest culmination of automation in recording music, making films, and art has come to. So, in a way, I am a tech guy with my recording process using Pro Tools, some tuning, some quantising, some editing. But that’s about as far as I will go. AI sounds great, looks great, is great if you just want to sit back and have a machine do all the work. Somehow, it’s just not fun, and it’s not productive on the level that, as a music creator, I get nothing out of.
Now, the first part of this question, the biggest changes in the industry have more to do with how things are sold and consumed. The music is not really all that different. It may sound different, but at the core it hasn’t become unrecognizable to an older school guy such as myself.
OSR: What advice do you have for new artists?
Moore: Listen to what others tell you in a way that helps you find who you are as an artist. Try to not imitate; seek individuality. And do all you can to learn as many things as there are about how to run your own deal. Learn sound mixing, lighting, film editing, shooting video, shooting photos, music techniques, try out new instruments, and if you are a singer, sing all the time.
OSR: If you could go back and speak to young Randy C Moore, what advice would you give little Randy?
Moore: I’d tell my young self: don’t put expectations in front of joy. It never works. Just keep doing what you love.
OSR: What can we expect from you in the future? More tours or music?
Moore: Right now, I’m climbing all over the Texas music charts and have a healthy presence on the indie charts. I aim to maintain that action and keep stepping up my game with newer, better records.
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
Moore: I hope I didn’t bore you guys too much. Thanks for looking in on me.
Many thanks to Randy C Moore for speaking with us. Find out more about Randy C Moore on his Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Spotify.
This artist was sent to us by Margin Promo.
