When Justin Moore found himself homesick and missing his mother’s Southern cooking after moving to Nashville several years ago to pursue his musical dream, he was inspired to write “Small Town USA,” an ode to the spirit and simplicity of small-town life. “A lot of people called it prison when I was growin’ up/But these are my roots and this is what I love,” sings Justin about Poyen, Ark.

The fast-rising song has become a Top 15 hit and established Justin as one of 2009’s break-out country artists, garnering attention from People, The Washington Post and Billboard. The singer-songwriter landed coveted spots on tours with Trace Adkins, Hank Williams Jr. and Lynyrd Skynyrd and opened for Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and ZZ Top. “Moore’s take on the (small-town) theme is clearly resonating with country music fans,” states The Washington Post. During this time of corporate greed and economic uncertainty, his music is a timely reminder of what’s truly important in life.

 “I’ve learned that everybody is proud of where they are from, and it doesn’t matter what size it is,” Justin says. “With the way our economy is right now, it’s evolved into a state of mind. Everybody is struggling and feeling like they’re walking in quicksand. At the end of the day, they have a place to come home to and food on the table.”

Of course, finding common ground is nothing new for Justin, who stakes his claim at the crossroads between traditional country and Southern rock music. Influenced by Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, John Anderson and Vern Gosdin, as well as Charlie Daniels, Hank Jr. and the Marshall Tucker Band, Justin has created a music that defies boundaries and definition with its edge, attitude and instrumentation.

Justin was raised an only child on a 20-acre farm that was part of the 100 acres owned by his extended family. His father was the town’s postmaster and his mother worked at a bank until she took over daily operations of the family’s barbecue restaurant. He helped his grandparents feed cattle and bush hog the fields and was just a toddler when he first joined his grandfather in a deer stand. The sign proclaiming the town’s population of 272 sits in his grandparents’ front yard.

 He moved to Nashville in 2002 and soon began looking for songs at publishing companies to help him land a record deal. “Obviously I wasn’t getting any of their good stuff, so I thought, ‘I’ll just write it myself since I can’t find anything.’ I started writing songs and that really made me an artist, as opposed to just being able to sing on key,” says Justin, who soon signed a publishing deal with Big Picture Music, which is run by Keith Stegall, who produces Alan Jackson.

A pivotal moment occurred when he met young producer Jeremy Stover, who quickly became Justin’s producer and chief collaborator. “We met and he told me he would give me a record deal if I could be patient with him,” Justin says. “At the time I was 19 or 20 and I thought, ‘I’ll get a record on the radio in a year from now and here we go.’ Four or five years later, here we are. “

moorejustinmusic.com

Concert Tickets
Reserved seating Track $25
Reserved seating Grandstand $20
General admission Grandstand & Reserve Track $15

Tickets may be purchased by contacting the fair office:
260-318-2127 and after July 8th at 260-347-0666

Prior to July 8th, tickets may be purchased at the Purdue Noble County Extension office at 260-636-2111

Justin Moore with special guest Colt Ford Sponsors
U.S. 93.3, Evans Toyota, Windows Doors & More, KPC Media Group, Wal Mart Distribution CD6074