Spencer Moore Dead at 92

Country and folk music icon Spencer Moore has passed away at the age of 92. Considered one of the pioneers of Blue Ridge Mountain music, the North Carolina native died at a nursing home in Chilhowie, Va.

Moore's love of music began after his family became neighbors with the legendary blind fiddle player, G. B. Grayson (whose songs have been recorded by Mick Jagger, Doc Watson and others). At the tender age of 14, the young prodigy attended the historic Whitetop Mountain Folk Festival, where Eleanor Roosevelt's performance of 'Three Little Babies' struck a chord with him, and his musical career began.

In the late 1930s, Moore, who had 10 siblings, began performing with his brother Joe. Billing themselves as the Moore Brothers, their traveling circuit included performing in a tent show with the Carter Family.

In 1959, one of the leading collectors of folk music, Alan Lomax, along with folk singer Shirley Collins, discovered several of Moore's pieces while looking for Blue Ridge Mountain music. The two recorded several of Moore's songs, including 'Jimmy Sutton' and 'The Girl I Left Behind.'

Moore spent most of his years living in the Blue Ridge Mountains, playing an acoustic guitar that was more than half a century old. His only solo recording occurred in 2007, when Josh Rosenthal from Tompkins Square recorded a self-titled album of songs by the iconic star.

Moore, who was believed to have known more than 600 folk songs by heart, continued playing and even performing occasionally at local clubs until his death.

Funeral services were held June 7. He is preceded in death by his wife and infant son. Moore is survived by several nieces and nephews.