Country artists are typically thought to have very limited range in terms of both music and market. That's perhaps the biggest feat of country singer-songwriter Justin Moore: his songs about small town life in the South are very specific, yet appeal to a wide range of audiences. Moore himself wasn't sure of this kind of songwriting before, and he says that he's thankful that his doubts were proven wrong.

Justin Moore: Singer from the South

"This was all I ever wanted to do, and I wouldn't be happy anywhere if I wasn't doing this."

Country artists are typically thought to have very limited range in terms of both music and market. That's perhaps the biggest feat of country singer-songwriter Justin Moore: his songs about small town life in the South are very specific, yet appeal to a wide range of audiences. Moore himself wasn't sure of this kind of songwriting before, and he says that he's thankful that his doubts were proven wrong.

Justin Moore: Just Singin'

He was born Justin Cole Moore and was raised with his grandparents in Poyen, Arkansas. Brought up with Southern traditions and practices like living off the land - his folks taught him how to hunt and fish - he says that home is one of the inspirations for many of his songs. It was, in fact, one of the factors that fueled his breakout hit.

Despite doing well athletically and academically in high school, Moore opted to transfer to Nashville, Tennessee instead to pursue his dream of a music career. It was one day there when he suddenly missed his mother's home-cooked Southern meals that he was inspired to pen Small Town USA. He was at first unsure about the song; he worried that not too many people could relate to his picture of simple small town living.

He was wrong on that count, however. Producer and songwriter Jeremy Stover helped Moore bring Small Town USA and a few other demos around to recording executives. Keith Stegall - the same man who'd produced for Alan Jackson in the past - took notice, and Moore was signed to the Valory Music Group by 2008.

Justin Moore: Giving Some More

Moore had a good start with his first single; Back That Thing Up performed well on the Billboard country music charts. It was when Small Town USA was later released as a single, however, that the world really began to take notice of Justin Moore.

Small Town USA did even better than Moore's first single, earning #1 hit status soon after its release. It was these two chart toppers that helped push the success of Moore's self-titled debut album, which was released in August 2009 and went on to sell more than 140,000 units.

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