Hugh Moffatt
Encyclopedia
Hugh Moffatt is an American
country singer and songwriter. In the 1970s and 1980s several artists made hits out of his songs. He has also released critically acclaimed albums of his own.
and jazz
trumpet
and was a member of his high school band. Despite early inclinations toward country music
, while at Rice University
Moffatt learned guitar
and turned toward jazz and blues. After graduation, he moved to Austin
and had planned to move to Washington, but a visit to the Grand Ole Opry
in Nashville
in 1973 renewed his old passion for country music, and he stayed there to seek a career in that genre.
and mentor Ed Penney. Success first came when Ronnie Milsap
's recording of "Just in Case
" peaked at #5 on the Billboard Country chart. In 1977, he signed a record deal with Mercury
and released two unsuccessful singles, and would refocus on songwriting.
In 1980, Moffatt formed Ratz with Wade McCurdy, John Dietrich, Michael Bonagura and his wife. They released the self-financed debut Puttin' on the Ratz in 1984. Two years later he released a solo album, Loving You, which he followed up in 1989 with Troubador, often considered today as his best work. Together with his sister, the country singer Katy Moffatt
, he released 1992's Dance Me Outside. He has continued to record and release albums well into the new millennium. Johnny Cash
recorded Moffatt's "Rose of My Heart" shortly before his death. The song was released on Cash's album, American V: A Hundred Highways
.
Moffatt and Michael Ching
, the Artistic Director of Opera Memphis
, premiered their first full-length opera
in 2003 with the University of Missouri
Show-Me Opera. The opera, entitled Corps of Discovery, follows the journeys of Lewis and Clark from New Orleans to the Pacific Northwest
and back. Moffatt and Ching have collaborated on two one-act operas that have been performed across the country; King of the Clouds, commissioned by Dayton Opera
, follows the story and dreams of the future of the son of an alcoholic mother. Out of the Rain follows the life of a group of friends and society's relationship and struggle with AIDS
.
". Sebert is the mother of pop star Kesha
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
country singer and songwriter. In the 1970s and 1980s several artists made hits out of his songs. He has also released critically acclaimed albums of his own.
Beginnings
In his youth, Moffatt learned classical pianoPiano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
and was a member of his high school band. Despite early inclinations toward country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
, while at Rice University
Rice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
Moffatt learned guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
and turned toward jazz and blues. After graduation, he moved to Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
and had planned to move to Washington, but a visit to the Grand Ole Opry
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has presented the biggest stars of that genre since 1925. It is also among the longest-running broadcasts in history since its beginnings as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM-AM...
in Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
in 1973 renewed his old passion for country music, and he stayed there to seek a career in that genre.
Career
Moffatt first worked as a songwriter, in emulation of Kris KristoffersonKris Kristofferson
Kristoffer "Kris" Kristofferson is an American musician, actor, and writer. He is known for hits such as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night"...
and mentor Ed Penney. Success first came when Ronnie Milsap
Ronnie Milsap
Ronnie Lee Milsap is an American country music singer and pianist. He was one of country’s most popular and influential performers of the 1970s and 1980s...
's recording of "Just in Case
Just in Case (Ronnie Milsap song)
"Just in Case" is a single by American country music artist Ronnie Milsap. Released in October 1975, it was the second single from his album Night Things. The song reached #4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.-Chart performance:...
" peaked at #5 on the Billboard Country chart. In 1977, he signed a record deal with Mercury
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
and released two unsuccessful singles, and would refocus on songwriting.
In 1980, Moffatt formed Ratz with Wade McCurdy, John Dietrich, Michael Bonagura and his wife. They released the self-financed debut Puttin' on the Ratz in 1984. Two years later he released a solo album, Loving You, which he followed up in 1989 with Troubador, often considered today as his best work. Together with his sister, the country singer Katy Moffatt
Katy Moffatt
Katherine Louella "Katy" Moffatt is an American musician, lyricist, composer, vocalist. She is the sister of country singer-songwriter Hugh Moffatt.-Midnight Radio:...
, he released 1992's Dance Me Outside. He has continued to record and release albums well into the new millennium. Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
recorded Moffatt's "Rose of My Heart" shortly before his death. The song was released on Cash's album, American V: A Hundred Highways
American V: A Hundred Highways
-Track listing:#"Help Me" – 2:51#:Previously recorded by Kris Kristofferson for Jesus Was a Capricorn #"God's Gonna Cut You Down" – 2:38...
.
Moffatt and Michael Ching
Michael Ching
Michael Ching is an American composer and conductor.Ching was born in Honolulu in 1958 and raised in New Orleans and St. Paul, Minnesota. He attended Duke University where he studied with composers Iain Hamilton and Robert Ward. Upon graduation, he was a member of the Houston Grand Opera Studio...
, the Artistic Director of Opera Memphis
Opera Memphis
Opera Memphis is a non-profit arts organization in Memphis, Tennessee. It was established in 1956 in conjunction with the founding of WKNO-FM, the local public radio affiliate....
, premiered their first full-length opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
in 2003 with the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
Show-Me Opera. The opera, entitled Corps of Discovery, follows the journeys of Lewis and Clark from New Orleans to the Pacific Northwest
Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is a region in northwestern North America, bounded by the Pacific Ocean to the west and, loosely, by the Rocky Mountains on the east. Definitions of the region vary and there is no commonly agreed upon boundary, even among Pacific Northwesterners. A common concept of the...
and back. Moffatt and Ching have collaborated on two one-act operas that have been performed across the country; King of the Clouds, commissioned by Dayton Opera
Dayton Opera
Dayton Opera is an American opera company based in Dayton, Ohio. The company makes its home at the Schuster Center in downtown Dayton where it annually produces three operas and an operatic concert and has an annual budget of approximately $2 million...
, follows the story and dreams of the future of the son of an alcoholic mother. Out of the Rain follows the life of a group of friends and society's relationship and struggle with AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
.
Personal life
He married and later divorced songwriter Pebe Sebert, with whom he wrote "Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to YouOld Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You
"Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You" was a country song written by Pebe Sebert and Hugh Moffatt. It provided a #14 U.S. country hit for Joe Sun in 1978, and a #86 hit for Brian Collins the same year. It was later covered by Dolly Parton, who took it to the top of the U.S. country charts in...
". Sebert is the mother of pop star Kesha
Kesha
Kesha village is a small village nestled in the mountains of Yongshun County, northwestern Hunan province, China, located at latitude 29 05' 50", longitude 109 57' 9". The name is pronounced in Standard Chinese. The official language is Manderin Chinese....
.
Albums
- 1987 Loving You Philo
- 1989 Troubadour Philo
- 1992 Dance Me Outside Philo
- 1995 Wognum Sessions Strictly Country
- 1996 The Life of a Minor Poet Watermelon
- 2003 Ghosts of the Music Brambus
- 2003 Live and Alone Brambus