The last year has been something of a whirlwind for Hudson Moore.
The Fort Worth native with East Texas roots has had a hit song top the Texas Music charts and snag some radio time, while also opening for the likes of ZZ Top in Tyler and touring extensively.
Now he's headed back to Tyler for a show Saturday night at Lago del Pino. Moore took some time from his busy schedule to answer a few questions via e-mail about what he's been up to on the road and as he prepares to release a new EP.
Stewart Smith: I'd love to hear your thoughts on how this leg of your tour has been going. How has it stacked up to your other times on the road and what's, perhaps, the most unexpected thing you've experienced on-stage at these shows?
Hudson Moore: It's been a great year on the road. I feel so blessed. I've had the opportunity to open for some of my favorite artists like ZZ Top, Alan Jackson, Pat Green and the Eli Young Band. The band and I also just got back from our first year at CMA Music Festival in Nashville. We played three shows there and were able to connect with thousands of great country music fans. I was just so humbled to be included in the same lineup as Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, all artists who I really admire.
I think the most unexpected thing that's happened to me on stage is that fans are now coming to my shows and singing the words to my songs. As a relatively new artist, it's always so humbling when I drive over 300 miles away from my hometown and people know my songs by heart.
SS: Has it ever felt overwhelming being on the road like this? What do you do to keep yourself focused and centered as you're in a perpetual state of impermanence while going from place to place, stage to stage?
HM: Sometimes my hectic schedule can be a little overwhelming, but overall I really enjoy being on the road. I love playing new venues, traveling to new places and meeting new people, particularly my fans. And after all, I'm just happy to be working. Ever since I was a kid, it's been a dream of mine to be able to travel around and play music for a living, so I feel very blessed to be able to do what I do. As for staying centered on the road, I say a prayer every day and before every show thanking God for the opportunity to play music for people. That keeps me grounded and reminds me of how lucky I am do be doing what I love every day.
SS: What's behind your new single? Your previous single, "Fireworks," seemed to pull a lot from memories of your childhood and such, so where did you draw inspiration from for this song?
HM: The inspiration for "Doin' Just Fine" comes from life experience. It's a "happy break up song" about that feeling of liberation you get when you've freed yourself from that person that's been bringing you down. It's about having a good time with your friends, celebrating your freedom as an individual. It's a song I think a lot of people will be able relate to.
SS: What can your fans expect as you go to work on your upcoming EP?
HM: My new EP is an eclectic mix of rock, country, blues and pop. It's taken from all the different musical influences in my life. These songs will give you a glimpse of my live show, from the acoustic ballads to the country rock n roll anthems. They're songs of love, loss and life on the road. Fortunately we've been getting great responses from our fans as we've been playing the new material live. People from Tyler are some of the most gracious and fun crowds around so I'm very much looking forward to debuting some of my new material this Saturday night at Lago Del Pino.
