Lattie Moore

Lattie Moore (b. Scottsville, Kentucky, October 16, 1924 - d. June 13, 2010) -- Singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Born and raised in Allen County, Kentucky, Lattie Moore hitchhiked to Indianapolis at age nineteen hoping to make it as a country artist. Interrupted by a short time in the service, Moore played in small clubs and on the radio in Indianapolis in the 1940s. Throughout the years, he and his group the Allen County Boys had a great following at the Thunderbird in Fountain Square. In 1951, he made his first 45 ("Hideaway Heart" and "Married Troubles") on Indy's Arrow label, and, in the same time period, he emceed "Midwestern Jamboree" on WIBC. The following year, he sang and played lead guitar on his original "Juke Joint Johnny" on the Speed label in Nashville and then re-recorded it as "Juke Box Johnny" on Arc in 1956. Of particular note, this song has been dubbed the first rock 'n roll to be recorded in Nashville. From 1953 to 1963, Moore recorded eight 45s on the King label in Cincinnati. Among them were some national hits, including "Cajun Doll" and "Drunk Again" (#25 on Billboard). By this time, he was recording in more of a traditional country style.