Born in Jackson, Mississippi on October 13, 1946, into a family steeped in gospel, Dorothy Moore started singing lead in the church choir when she was five. She performed in high school and by age 13, she competed every Wednesday night at the Alamo Theater in Jackson, a contest for adults. When asked how she felt when she lost, Moore said, "I hate to say it, (pause) but I didn't loose." After high school Moore started singing background at a local studio while singing in clubs around Jackson. In 1966, she signed her first deal with Epic singing lead with a trio, the Poppies. The girl group was produced by Billy Sherrill and had nationwide success. Moore also cut her first solo 45s under an alias. She started in music in college but hid her talents from faculty to continue singing gigs and touring. Moore changed labels and kept singing background. But the producers took notice and started recording her solo. It was not long until she burst on the scene with the classic "Misty Blue" in 1976. Her career took off and her first road show was New York's Madison Square Garden. Shortly thereafter she was a Grammy Award nominee for two years straight. The rest in history. Moore records and tours from her base in Jackson, Mississippi.