No Dough Country Show

Though the airwaves are saturated with the "new country" sound of Garth Brooks and Shania Twain, country music has been crossing boundaries for a much longer time than some people realize.

The trio of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and David Allan Coe popularized "outlaw country" in the 1970's, a mix of country, rock 'n roll, blues and attitude. Today, Cincinnati's Dallas Moore is taking up that mantle. He'll be bringing that rowdy atmosphere back with a free show at Legends Bar and Grill Sunday.

The 27-year old Moore has just released his second Chroma-Tone label album, One More Ride, which was recorded at Midwest Audio in Bloomington. Moore uses local players Jenny DeVoe, Gordon Lowry, Brian Lapin and Dane Clark from John Mellencamp's band, among others.

"Chuck Morpurgo played guitar on my first album and he has this studio in Bloomington, so he produced this one, along with his brother Rich and Bob Rutherford from New Albany." Moore said.

"I fell in love (with Bloomington) with the whole town. There's so much to do. Last time I was here we walked around and saw Kenny Wayne Sheppard."

Moore has been touring in support of his first album, My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys. It's a tribute to the music he grew up with, legends he has since had the opportunity to play with.

"To me, "outlaw country" is Waylon Jennings, Steve Earle, The Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd - with Hank Sr. on top!" Moore said. "I've been touring, playing with Willie Nelson, David Allan Coe, Waylon, all my heroes. Getting to tour with them has been wonderful."

This show is notable for its free cover charge, something Legends operations manager Tom Gerkin hopes will become the norm.

"I call it the 'no-dough' show," Gerkin said. "We'd like to see what the response is with no cover. We'll see how this show goes and later, look into doing something where it's two cans of food for Hoosier Hills Food Bank to get in."

For right now, however, folks are getting geared up for Moore, who will be backed by Travis Tritt's Country Club Band.

Said Moore, "We're going to do all my songs, some Travis Tritt, some Steve Earle ... just get rowdy with the people, I'm fired up!"