Alvis James Moore: A Five Royales’ Son
Alvis Moore is an active member of Rehoboth Temple Church of Christ, an award winning educator, an award winning radio personality, an in demand motivational speaker for youth advocacy, a multicultural education workshop facilitator, an award winning composer and playwright and a community outreach leader.
His father, the late James Moore was among founding members of a gospel music recording quartet called the Royal Sons who eventually became the critically acclaimed and pioneering rhythm and blues group, the Five Royales. During that time, Alvis met and was mentored and musically influenced by Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Jackie Wilson, Brook Benton, James Brown, Charlie Ferguson, Clyde McPhatter, the Chantels, Etta James, BB King, the Soul Stirrers, the Five Blind Boys, Little Willie John and many others
At age 16, Alvis began directing the Youth Choir. It was during this time that Alvis changed the sound of morning services in the local Pentecostal churches. He brought in the drums, bass and lead guitars and used that new sound in morning worship and concerts. Causing a bit of concern from the congregation with that creative move, Bishop Hubert Spencer, the pastor of the church, encouraged the church to embrace the sound and to encourage and support Alvis and the youth music ministry. They did; and, the youth music ministry excelled.
In late 1968, Alvis enrolled at Rio Grande University to pursue a degree, but he would come home every weekend for choir rehearsals and Sunday morning services. By early 1970, the choir had developed into one of the largest youth choirs in the city. Again, working with David Hawkins, John Flowers and Billy Martin, the choir featured some the most outstanding singers in the city, including Alvis Moore.
In 1972, Alvis was invited to participate in the American Songwriting Competition. In order to have a group to sing and record the songs for the contest, he formed the New Life Gospel Singers with his friends and song mates Roxanne Ponder, Malcolm Spencer, Gwen Scales, William Penn, Jr., Rockford Penn, Connie Pannell, Marva Cook, Bruce Brinson, Tannis Vaughn, Jesse Robinson and Yvonne Danner being the original members. He won 2nd Place in the gospel music category for his composition “Yes, I Want To See His Face”.
In addition to singing and recording music for the competition, they were in constant demand to perform at other churches and for local organizations because of the unique harmonies and trendsetting musical styles.
They were featured at the COOLJC National Conventions, the Ohio State COOLJC Conventions, PAW Conventions, Columbus Urban League events, the Eddie Saunders’ Gospel Television Program, WCVO Radio, Rio Grande University, Bethlehem Temple in New York City for Bishop Andy Lewter, the COOLJC National Youth Congress and more and they did a command performance for actor Bernie Casey at his birthday celebration.
In 1979, Alvis wrote his first gospel musical play, Jesus, the World’s Greatest Lover. The musical became an overwhelming success and Alvis, with New Life, ended up in a recording studio to record “Going On To Perfection” which featured the local hit gospel song “I Want To Be Your Anointed”. Alvis was getting recognition and contract inquiries from Phillip Nicholas of the gospel duo, “Nicholas“, Thomas Whitfield and other local and national artists and producers.
In 1981, Alvis met local gospel music radio personality, Bob Cunningham. That was the beginning of his career in gospel music radio. In addition to supporting Alvis’s music ministry, Bob gave Alvis the opportunity to interview gospel music artists at the 1982 GMWA in Cincinnati, Ohio, to serve as an emcee at major concert events and to co-host the highly acclaimed gospel music radio show, Gospel Caravan.
Eventually, Alvis began hosting a Saturday afternoon show when 1580 WVKO became a 24 hour gospel music station. Shortly, thereafter, he became the host of “Praise and Worship Sunday” from 6AM until 12PM. During that time, he also became assistant music program director.
When the station was sold in 2002, Alvis was the only staff to move with the station.
In 1983, gospel music promoter, Phillip Locke recruited Alvis to work with him for the legendary Edwin Hawkins and the Edwin Hawkins’ Music and Arts Seminar. Alvis taught the Dramatic Arts, Improvisation and Voice and Diction classes for the internationally acclaimed gospel artist.
In 1987, Alvis was recruited to be a talent judge for the annual McDonald’s Gospel Fest.
In the meantime, he had also been asked by the Male Chorus from Second Shiloh Baptist Church to work with them to be in the McDonald’s event. Relinquishing his opportunity to be a judge, Alvis played the piano for the Second Shiloh Male Chorus. The group did Alvis’s arrangement of the hymn “Come Ye Disconsolate” and his original composition “This Is Our Song For You”. At the Gospel Fest for the next two years, the Second Shiloh Male Chorus won first prize. Alvis and they went on to do concerts in Tennessee, Alabama, local churches and they became the opening artists for the gospel musical play “Mama, I Want To Sing” at the Palace Theatre and the opening act for the late Eddie Saunder’s gospel festival at Wyandotte Lake.
For 32 years, Alvis was a teacher for Columbus City Schools. With a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Communications Comprehensive and Secondary Education, Alvis began his teaching career at Walnut Ridge where he taught Multicultural Literature, the Nature of Language and Composition. At North High School, he taught Journalism, English and Composition and Media Studies. At Eastmoor High School, he taught Journalism, Basic Communication and English. Finally, at Whetstone High School, he taught English 9-12, Reading, Advanced and Intermediate Composition, Journalism, American Literature, Basic Communications, Theatre Arts, Acting I and II, Stage Production, Musical Theatre and advised the Junior and Varsity Cheerleaders, the school newspaper and yearbook, the Columbus Educators of Tomorrow and he facilitated a multicultural education seminar for the graduating teachers from Wilmington College.
Alvis was twice awarded Educator of the Year at Whetstone High School and he was the Senior Faculty Representative for the Columbus Education Association at Whetstone High School.
Everyone still knows Alvis as the popular gospel music broadcaster on 1580 WVKO. Many local gospel music artists credit him for getting their music launched for them.
Alvis has written plays for the Ohio Commission For Minority Health, Partners in Education for Columbus City Schools and the Ohio Education Association.
Currently, Alvis is the Director of Music and Arts Ministries at Rehoboth Temple. There, he has produced and directed his original gospel musical plays: “Kept”, “The Night of the Living Word”, “Jesus, the World‘s Greatest Lover“, “You Come From Greatness” and “Sunday Morning Service”
He is married to Pearl Moore and they have two sons, Scott Patrick and Dustin Alexander. He is the son of Evelyn Moore and Henry Shaw’s brother.
His father, James E. Moore died August 8, 2008 in Ossining, New York. He was the last of the legendary rhythm and blues group, the Five Royales. He was 82 years old.
Awards:
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Recognition Award Chillicothe Correctional Facility 2011
Radio Announcer of the Year 1998 and 2002
Columbus Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America’s Trendsetters Award
Nominee Blue Chips Award: Education and Social Services
Nominee: Ashland Educator’s Award
Nominee: Disney Teachers’ Award
Whetstone High School’s Educator of the Year 1996 and 2001
McDonald’s Gospel Fest Award
WCVO Gospel Music Artist Award
Pastor Arthur Gray and High Praise Company Celebration Award
Letters of Commendation for Gospel Music Radio: Mayor Michael Coleman
Letter of Commendation for Excellence in Education: Mayor Michael Coleman
Letters of Commendation for Radio Excellence: Representative James Hughes
Letters of Commendation for Radio Excellence:: Representative Joyce Beatty
Youth For Positive Image Appreciation Award
NAACP ACT-SO Appreciation Award
The Ohio Commission for Public Safety Appreciation Award
American Songwriter’s Recognition Award: Los Angeles, California
Ohio Education Association Recognition Award
Columbus Education Association Recognition Award
National Education Association Recognition Award
Franklin County Drug Consortium Award
Wilmington College Award of Recognition: Multicultural Education
Outlook Magazine Recognition Article
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