The Sentinel-Record

Moore ready to make short drive to host a big parade

- LANCE BROWNFIELD

Hot Springs is just a 45-minute drive from Poyen, the hometown of country music star Justin Moore, but he has never attended the Spa City’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade.

That will all change on Friday, when Moore serves as the celebrity grand marshal of the

First Ever 20th

Annual World’s

Shortest St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Bridge

Street.

“I’m excited to go and take the kids,”

Moore said in a recent interview. “Any time you get to be honored in any kind of way in your home state, or town or whatever, it’s just awesome.”

Moore plans to take his three daughters, ages 13, 11 and 8, and his 5-yearold son to the 98-foot parade on March 17. All of his children attend school in Poyen, where he grew up and where he shot the music video for his first major hit in 2009, “Small Town USA.” On top of his busy schedule, he also finds time to help coach his children in sports such as softball and basketball.

“They’re just typical kids, man,” Moore said. “Normal kiddos, which is what our goal was moving to Poyen from Nashville when we had our first daughter. We just wanted them to have as normal an upbringing as possible, which at times can be a little challengin­g with my job, but being back home I think has helped that.”

Moore says he still spends quite a bit of time in Hot Springs, grocery shopping, eating out and more. When he’s not out on the road, he tries to make the most of his time with his family here in Arkansas, taking three months off for the holiday season every year.

Kicking off another tour one month ago, he will be stopping in North Carolina, Virginia, Kansas, Illinois and Florida this month before the parade.

While Moore won’t be performing any music at the twoday event, there will be music by The Molly Ringwalds at 8 p.m. that Friday and Village People on Saturday at 8 p.m. However, fans of Moore can look forward to a new album of his to be released May 5, called “Stray Dog.”

Still thrilled about the success of his 2021 chart-topping single, “With a Woman You Love,” Moore says his current single, “You, Me, And Whiskey,” is “doing really well.” The duet with country music newcomer Priscilla Block was released late last year and is the namesake for his 2023 tour.

In addition to Moore, the parade will also feature actor

Christophe­r Mcdonald as the celebrity parade starter and there will be a return appearance by the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleade­rs. At the event, there will be a Blarney Stone kissing contest, a “Zero-k” foot race and more.

“I’ve had friends who have gone for years that speak highly of it,” Moore said.

“I’m just looking forward to seeing it and getting the chance to soak it all in. I can’t wait to see everybody out there.”

To find out more about Justin Moore’s music, visit his website at https://www. justinmoor­emusic.com/. For more about the parade, visit https://shortestst­pats.com/.

 ?? Submitted photo ?? ■ An undated handout photo of country music artist Justin Moore, via Visit Hot Springs.
Submitted photo ■ An undated handout photo of country music artist Justin Moore, via Visit Hot Springs.

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