Ross Moore

From Civil War to today's bluegrass, Moore's music covers centuries Release Date: 3/16/2006. Expired: 4/8/2006 When it seems everywhere you go everyone is talking about the ?good old days,? it's a welcome sight to have someone like Ross Moore come along and give us the kind of music and entertainment that we all miss so much. He runs the gamut from singing old time favorites and playing instruments popular before and during the Civil War days, to picking some of the hottest bluegrass coming out of Nashville.

He plays 12 different instruments, including autoharp, dobro, hammered dulcimer, mountain dulcimer, six- and 12-string guitar, banjo, mandolin, Celtic harp, Irish pennywhistle, concertina and harmonica. Along with strong vocals, and his brand of down-home humor, Moore puts on a show that captures the imagination of old and young alike.

Moore brings his vocal talents, humor and instrumental prowess to The Renaissance Center in Dickson Saturday, April 8, for a concert and two music workshops. Tickets for the 7 p.m. concert are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for children under 13.

Moore will present a hammered dulcimer workshop 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. and an autoharp workshop 1-2:30 p.m. Tuition for each workshop is $40 and there is a $5 discount for anyone participating in both workshops.

Moore has been in the entertainment business for more than 25 years. In 1972 he composed and performed the musical score for the nationally televised series From The Hills for PBS, with film star Martin Sheen. Additionally in l974 he composed and performed the musical score for the Charleston Arts Festival in Charleston, W.V., for readings by Earl Hamner, creator of the television series The Waltons, and series star Richard Thomas, famous for his portrayal of the character John Boy.

The next year Moore performed with country singer and songwriter Billy Edd Wheeler and film star Patricia Neal at the festival. Later that year and into l976, Moore attended Ohio University where he obtained his Master of Arts degree in music and theater. While there he served as composer, singer, instrumentalist and actor with the Appalachian Green Parks Project (the official bicentennial touring group for the state of Ohio), which toured the U.S.

In l977 he performed a solo act as singer, instrumentalist and humorist at King's Island Theme Park in Cincinnati. Two years later he took his show to Bob Evans Farm, a popular tourist attraction in the Appalachian Mountains. Always looking for a new challenge, Moore accepted the position of director, actor and musician for the summer stock presentation of River Country in New Harmony, Ind., in 1980. In the spring of 1982, Moore was invited to share his talents with the legendary folk group The Seekers, based in Chicago. For the next two years he toured the United States and Canada, where he performed with such entertainers as Loretta Lynn, Jerry Reed and the one and only George Burns.

After moving to Nashville, he signed on with the famed Twitty City Music Village in nearby Hendersonville; performing his show daily 1984-87. Moore was then hired by Opryland theme park to perform with Grand Ole Opry stars such as Porter Wagoner, Little Jimmy Dickens, Bashful Brother Oswald, Jack Green, Billy Walker, Jim Ed Brown and Jeanne Pruitt.

For several years Moore had been a regular at numerous festivals, including the Old Time Music Festival in Maysville, Mo., and the Country Festival in Harrisburg, Pa.

In the winter of l996 he was asked to bring his show to one of the grandest music halls in the country. The Ryman Auditorium invited Moore to do a six-week engagement for the Christmas holidays. The new show was such a success that it was held over for two additional seasons. During 2002 Ross was chosen to be one of the local musicians to perform at the grand opening of the new Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.

Since the closing of the Opryland theme park, this multi-talented musician has shared his knowledge of his acoustic instruments in workshops, as well as performing in concerts, folk festivals, conventions, youth camps, reunions and fund-raising events across the southern and eastern United States -- bringing his Appalachian, Bluegrass and Celtic music to audiences who continue to be enthralled with his ?music from the past.?

Moore is an arranger, published songwriter, and to date, has four CDs which reflect his music over the years, namely Stringing Me Along (bluegrass style), Appalachian Sunset (Celtic/folk music), Southern Son (a musical collection that encompasses the joy, sorrow and pride of the Southerners during the War Between the States), and An Old Time Christmas (a magic combination of beloved Christmas songs and the instruments which knew them first).

For more information on Moore's concert and workshops at The Renaissance Center, call (615)740-5600. To register for a workshop, call (615)740-5533. To purchase concert tickets, call (615)740-5570.

The Renaissance Center is a fine arts and technology education and performing arts center at 855 Highway 46 South in Dickson, just 35 miles west of Nashville on Interstate 40 at exit 172.

Visit the Events - Concerts and Recitals page for more about musical performances.