Nicknamed "the coffee drinking nighthawk," Ohio-born singer and guitarist Walter LeRoy Moore (1914-1997) was a WWVA Wheeling Jamboree cast member and fabled radio deejay whose career spanned back to the Great Depression, with Moore laying down roots in Kentucky, New York, West Virginia and other states over the course of many, many years. A plainspoken and stubbornly anachronistic singer, he worked in the sentimental/old-timey style of the 1940s, harkening back to the era of Elton Britt and Roy Acuff, rather than the more raucous tones of modern honkytonk or the syrupy pop-country of the Nashville Sound. Lee Moore was married to singer-composer Juanita Picklesimer, who he performed and recorded with throughout the 1940s and '50s, before splitting up in 1960, when he went on as a solo act. Mr. Moore recorded for Rural Rhythm and other labels, and was an active presence on the folk and bluegrass scene even after he left the WWVA show in 1974. Here's a quick look at his work...
Lee Moore (And Juanita) "Lee Moore’s Country Hits" (Point Records, 1962-?) (LP)
(Produced by Lee Sutton)
This album collects some of their earlier recordings from the 'Fifties, including chestnuts such as "Dark As A Dungeon," "Wildwood Flower" and "Let's Say Goodbye Like We Said Hello" -- the span between the Carter Family and Ernest Tubb perfectly encompassing the pair's musical range. The release on Canada's Point label (as well as the Arc albums below) shows their popularity up North, as well as the appeal that the old-school hillbillies on the Wheeling Jamboree had for more traditionally-minded Canadian country fans.
Lee Moore "...Sings Radio Favorites Of Country Music" (Rural Rhythm Records, 1962-?) (LP)
(Produced by Lee Sutton)
Mr. Moore's first solo album after splitting up with Juanita... This album mines more oldies, such as "Old Joe Clark" and "Keep On The Sunny Side" along with gospel tunes and rural ballads like "An Old Log Cabin For Sale," "Dreaming Of A Cabin," and "Vacant Cabin." Lots of songs about cabins. And beloved parents who now live in Heaven. That kinda thing... which is great if you're on the right wavelength. No info given on this album about the backing band, though apparently fiddler Tater Tate was part of the crew, along with other musicians in the Rural Rhythm constellation.
Lee Moore "WWVA's Coffee-Drinking Nighthawk" (Arc Records, 196--?) (LP)
Lee Moore "More Coffee-Drinking Nighthawk" (Arc Records, 1965-?) (LP)
Lee Moore "...Sings Radio Favorites Of Country Music" (Rural Rhythm Records, 1968-?) (LP)
(Produced by Lee Sutton)
Lee Moore "Picks And Sings: Album Number Three" (Promotional Records, 19--?) (LP)
A private-pressing souvenir album of mysterious provenance. Not sure when this one was made -- it's a simple, stripped-down set, with just Moore himself, playing guitar and singing a mix of secular and gospel oldies, songs such as "I Overlooked An Orchid," "Give Me Forty Acres," "Old Shep," "Farther Along" and "I Walk The Line." The song list suggests this was recorded around 1964-65, though that's really just a theory. There's no discographical info on the album itself -- heck, the back cover of the album is totally blank! -- but I'd guess that Moore had these pressed up to sell at his shows. Moore was a mainstay on the Jamboree show up until 1974, when he moved to upstate New York and started working at bluegrass festivals.
Lee Moore "Wheeling's Coffee-Drinking Night Hawk" (Cattle Records, 1983) (LP)
A modest selection of vintage material, including a few songs from the early 'Fifties and more material recorded between1961-67... Also features liner notes by fellow deejay Smokey Greene, who also performed on the East Coast country/folk circuit.
Lee Moore "A Living Legend In Country Music" (Cattle Records, 1984) (LP)
I'm not sure of the provenance of these recordings, if they are more archival material, or newer sessions... the liner notes aren't very clear. Of note, though, is one track, a version of "I Wonder Where You Are Tonight," that's a duet with singer Anne Monroe, who he may have worked with at the Wheeling Jamboree(?) as well as a couple of tunes where he plays the dobro rather than the acoustic guitar.
