Hugh Moffatt (singer)

Hugh Moffatt (born November 3, 1948) is an American country singer and songwriter. In the 1970s and 1980s several artists made hits out of his songs. He has also released critically acclaimed albums of his own.

In his youth, Moffatt learned classical piano and jazz trumpet and was a member of his high school band. Despite early inclinations toward country music, while at Rice University Moffatt learned guitar and turned toward jazz and blues. After graduation, he moved to Austin and had planned to move to Washington, but a visit to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville in 1973 renewed his old passion for country music, and he stayed there to seek a career in that genre.

Moffatt first worked as a songwriter, in emulation of Kris Kristofferson and mentor Ed Penney. Success first came when Ronnie Milsap's recording of "Just in Case" peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Country chart. In 1977, he signed a record deal with Mercury and released two unsuccessful singles, and would refocus on songwriting.

In 1980, Moffatt formed Ratz with Wade McCurdy, John Dietrich, Michael Bonagura and his wife. They released the self-financed debut Puttin' on the Ratz in 1984. Two years later he released a solo album, Loving You, which he followed up in 1989 with Troubador, often considered today as his best work. Together with his sister, the country singer Katy Moffatt, he released 1992's Dance Me Outside. He has continued to record and release albums well into the new millennium. Johnny Cash recorded Moffatt's "Rose of My Heart" shortly before his death. The song was released on Cash's album, American V: A Hundred Highways.

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