[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 58 (Friday, April 30, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING BLUES LEGEND ``GATEMOUTH'' MOORE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 30, 2004

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize 
an African-American pioneer, 90-year-old blues singer Rev. Arnold 
Dwight ``Gatemouth'' Moore.
  Nicknamed ``Gatemouth'' because of his loud singing and speaking 
voice, Arnold Dwight Moore paved the way for blues. As a boy growing up 
on world famous Beale Street in Memphis, TN, he was influenced by the 
African-American culture and heritage that made up the streets and 
music that was a result of the day to day existence of individuals who 
lived there. The pride of Beale Street and student of blues was a 
vocalist at the Elk's, better known as the Blues Bowl.
  Moore recorded his first record in 1941 and wrote such songs as 
``Somebody's Got to Go,'' ``I Ain't Mad at You,'' ``Pretty Baby,'' and 
``Did You Ever Love a Woman?'' which was later recorded by B.B. King 
and Rufus Thomas.
  Gatemouth lead the way for blues through his firsts. Moore was the 
first blues singer to sing at Carnegie Hall; the first to travel with 
W.C. Handy to New York City; first to sing at the segregated Peabody 
Hotel's Roof Garden; first to sing in many halls around the country, 
including The Apollo in New York, The Regal in Chicago, the Chicago 
Civic Center, The Music Hall in Detroit, the Howard Theatre in 
Washington, DC, and The Royal in Baltimore, MD.
  Arnold Dwight ``Gatemouth'' Moore, listed in the Who's Who in Blues 
in America, is much more than one of the many blues singers throughout 
history. He is a true legendary pioneer of blues.