Whistlin' Alex Moore facts for kids

Alexander Herman Moore (born November 22, 1899 – died January 20, 1989), known as Whistlin' Alex Moore, was an American blues musician. He was a talented pianist, singer, and even a whistler! People remember him for his songs like "Blue Bloomer Blues," "Across the Atlantic Ocean," and "Black Eyed Peas and Hog Jowls."

Early Life and Musical Start

Alex Moore was born in Dallas, Texas. When he was three, his family moved to El Paso, but they returned to Dallas a few years later. His father was a candy maker. Even though his family didn't own a piano, Alex learned to play by watching others. He would practice on any piano he could find around town.

As a boy, he also learned to play the harmonica. He was a good tap dancer and a great whistler too! He became very serious about playing the piano in his mid-teens. It's amazing because he never learned to read music. In 1915, he even performed on a radio station in Dallas called WWR. He often played for tips at local gathering spots.

After his father passed away, Alex left school to help support his mother and two siblings. By 1916, when he joined the United States Army, he was already a very skilled piano player. In the 1920s, his music mixed different styles. These included blues, ragtime, and boogie-woogie. It was also in the 1920s that he got his famous nickname, "Whistlin' Alex Moore." He earned it because he would often whistle while playing the piano!

Musical Journey and Recordings

In 1929, Alex Moore made his very first recordings with Columbia Records. However, these records didn't sell many copies. Because of this, he didn't record again until 1937. At that time, a few of his songs were released by Decca Records.

It was 1951 before Alex recorded music again, this time with RPM Records. But even when he wasn't recording, he was still busy playing music. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, he performed in clubs in Dallas. Sometimes, he would play in other parts of Texas too. In 1960, Arhoolie Records signed him to a contract. These new recordings helped him become known across the whole country.

During the 1960s, Alex Moore played at clubs and festivals in the United States. He also performed at some festivals in Europe. In 1969, he toured with the American Folk Blues Festival. He shared the stage with other famous musicians like Earl Hooker and Magic Sam. That same year, he recorded an album in Germany called Alex Moore in Europe. He didn't record any new music in the 1970s or 1980s. However, he kept performing live until he passed away. He loved to sing the blues songs he had recorded decades earlier. These included "West Texas Woman" and "Blue Bloomer Blues," which had very touching and poetic lyrics.

Awards and Later Years

In 1987, Alex Moore received a special honor called the National Heritage Fellowship. This award is given by the National Endowment for the Arts. He was the first African-American Texan to ever receive it!

The year before he passed away, he recorded his last album, Wiggle Tail, for Rounder Records. On November 22, 1988, the state of Texas declared his birthday "Alex Moore Day." This was a wonderful way to celebrate his life and music.

Even though Alex Moore played piano for audiences all over the world, he never thought of himself as a full-time musician. Throughout his adult life, he had many other jobs. He hauled gravel, drove mule teams, washed dishes, and worked as a hotel porter. He also worked as a custodian in office buildings. He retired from his last job in 1965.

Personal Life and Legacy

Alex Moore passed away from a heart attack on January 20, 1989, in Dallas. He was 89 years old. He never married, but he was survived by a son and a daughter. He was buried at the Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Dallas.

Music writer Tony Russell once wrote about Alex Moore. He said that Alex was a very unique performer. By the 1960s and 1970s, when he became more well-known, his style was very special. He would often tell stories about his younger days in Dallas. He would do this over his lively blues and boogie-woogie piano playing. And of course, he would add his famous bursts of shrill whistling!

Selected Music Albums

• Wiggle Tail (1988)
• Whistlin' Alex Moore (1994)
• From North Dallas to the East Side (1994)
• Ice Pick Blues (1995)