Justin Moore said it was a tough road to country music success for him.
For the 33-year-old singer-songwriter, a key ingredient was needed to reach that level in his career.
“You got to be really, really lucky,” Moore said in a recent phone interview. “I’ve been very, very, very lucky. You got to have a little bit of talent; you got to have a whole lot of luck, though.
“I’m not the greatest singer in the world; I’m not the greatest guitar player in the world. I’ve been able to surround myself with a lot of people a whole lot smarter than me, that are great individuals that make me better.”
With a bevy of singles under his belt that topped the country charts, Moore is set for a 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11 show at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville.
Released in 2016, “Kinda Don’t Care” was a chart topper that marked the guitarist’s fourth studio album.
Moore and his production team have used a throwback approach that has clicked with the public.
“Our music is really rooted in traditional country, which is somewhat a rarity nowadays,” Moore said.
However, the second single from “Kinda Don’t Care” shook the status quo a bit with its youthful, sonic edge.
“‘Somebody Else Will,’ in particular, is a little more mainstream sounding, a little more pop sounding, if you will,” Moore said. “The fact that ‘Somebody Else Will’ was our seventh No. 1 record was really, really special.”
The Poyen, Ark., resident has been inspired by artists recognized as classic influences in country music.
“I kind of can rattle off the same laundry list that everybody else does,” said Moore, citing the likes of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard and Hank Williams junior and senior.
“But probably my biggest influence growing up, and to this day, is Dwight Yoakam,” Moore said.
A pioneering Grammy Award winner who shined in the 1980s and 1990s, Yoakam notched a slew of hits that include the rollicking “Fast As You” and the honky-tonk flavored “Guitars, Cadillacs.”
“He’s always been my favorite artist,” Moore said. “When I say that, people kind of look at me a little funny because our music is really not that similar. But I just always thought he was the ultimate artist. I thought from writing to singing, producing, performing, etc. — he did it all better than anybody else.”
Moore, a platinum-selling singer/guitarist, has associated himself with top-notch acts in his genre, having shared the stage with stars like Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton.
In 2014, Moore was given the Academy of County Music’s New Artist of the Year award.
He is currently on his “Hell On a Highway Tour,” which kicked off earlier this fall and is hitting about 50 American cities.
But Moore must balance his road warrior duties with his role as a husband and father.
“My wife and I just celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary, and we have four little kids,” said Moore, who has three daughters and a son, all under 8 years of age. “I love to tour; that’s the pinnacle is to get to go out there and play music for people and interact with the fans. But it is difficult, especially when you have a family.”
Joining Moore on his current tour as an opening act is singer Dylan Scott, whose self-titled debut album for Curb Records reached the Top 5 of Billboard’s country album chart last year.
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“My Girl,” a platinum-certified single from the album, was a country-radio smash, with a whiff of hip-hop attitude.
Scott said that the record basically reflects the love story he and his wife shared.
“We were high school sweethearts,” Scott, 27, said. “It was my first Number 1 single that I’ve had, so therefore, it’s definitely my signature song at the moment.”
Nashville music is in Scott’s family background, since his father played guitar for country standouts Freddy Fender and Freddie Hart.
Saying “it’s a cool experience” to be opening for Moore, the Louisiana native is moving along with new recordings.
“We just released a Christmas EP, which is five songs,” Scott, a songwriter, said.
Additionally, Scott is shooting for the release of another recording next year.
“It’s almost time for a new, complete album,” he said.
For Scott, naming a source of influence came easily: “Keith Whitley was my main influence growing up.”
The rising star likewise cited Moore, stating he “just always loved his music.”
Bob Kostanczuk is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
Justin Moore, with Dylan Scott
Where: Star Plaza Theatre, 8001 Delaware Place, Merrillville
When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11
Tickets: $36.75-$52.75