Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend Sam Moore is still going strong after six decades as a recording artist. In fact, 2014 was a banner year for the iconic performer, who continues to show his versatility with a wide variety of recording projects and live performances.
As half of the legendary r&b duo Sam & Dave, Moore scored a long string of hits, including "Soul Man," "Hold on, I'm Coming" and "I Thank You." In 2005, Moore released the album "Overnight Sensational," produced by Randy Jackson. The album included guest appearances from Bruce Springsteen, Steve Winwood, Jon Bon Jovi, Sting, Paul Rodgers, Eric Clapton and many more.
Moore began the year in a city where he made musical history - Memphis, Tenn. During the 2014 Martin Luther King Day weekend, Moore recorded his most recent project "They Killed A King," which honored the memory of Martin Luther King Jr. A few weeks later, the iconic performer returned to Stax Records to record a performance for "CBS Sunday Morning."
A lifelong fan of country music, Moore has had success in the format over the years, thanks to his 1994 collaboration with Conway Twitty on "Rainy Night In Georgia," which was the last recording of Twitty's career. He has also shared the stage with artists ranging from Joe Diffie to George Jones. Moore followed up his much talked-about performance at the November 2013 tribute concert to Jones with an appearance at Marty Stuart's Late Night Jam at the Ryman Auditorium in June, performing the classic Jones song "She Thinks I Still Care."
Moore was also part of the tribute to Ronnie Milsap during the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony in October, performing Milsap's classic "Lost In The Fifties Tonight." His soaring performance was so powerful that it inspired Vince Gill to join in.
Always an artist to roll the dice and take musical chances, Moore also entered into the world of Bluegrass in 2014, while collaborating with Nu-Blu on "Jesus and Jones," which garnered national attention and became a critically acclaimed single for both Moore and Nu-Blu.
Moore might have very well saved his top musical moment during the year for his part in the tribute to Al Green during the taping of the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony. Moore joined fellow r&b stalwart and fellow Grammy recipient, Mavis Staples, on a glorious version of "Take Me To The River," that was one of the most buzzed-about segments of the Green tribute that also included musical giants such as Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Earth, Wind & Fire hosted by Whoopi Goldberg The Kennedy Center Honors will air on Dec. 30 on CBS.
Before closing out the year, Moore headed to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where he performed at the Vallarta-Nayarit Classic Rock Festival Dec. 13. He and Lou Gramm are honored with a "Giants Of Rock" Lifetime Achievement Award at the festival that includes such fellow classic acts as Dave Mason, Kansas, Cheap Trick and Jefferson Starship.
And, just like any great showman, Moore is setting the stage for a successful encore in 2015. He will ring in the year with a performance at The Talking Stick Resort and Casino in Scottsdale, Ariz., will be team with another major country star for a collaboration, and will be co-hosting the Starkey Hearing Foundation's Super Bowl Mission.
