OLIVE HILL, KY — Sometimes talent is hiding in plain sight.
That appears to be the case with 23-year-old Tristen Moore, a Carter County native whose performance at the inaugural Blackberry Ramble Festival in Olive Hill recently captured the attention of festivalgoers and social media audiences alike.
What began as a simple appearance at a hometown festival quickly turned into something much bigger.
Moore, a West Carter High School alumnus who grew up in Olive Hill, had never performed regularly on major stages. In fact, much of his singing experience came from church, community events, talent competitions, karaoke nights, and singing for family and friends.
Yet when he stepped onto the stage at the Blackberry Ramble Festival, audience members immediately took notice.
Videos of his performance began circulating online, generating enthusiastic reactions from viewers throughout the region. Many praised Moore's powerful country vocals, while others expressed surprise that a singer with his level of talent had remained largely undiscovered.
The response was so strong that Moore ultimately finished among the festival's Top 3 finalists.
For someone who has never taken a single vocal lesson or received any formal musical training, the attention has been both unexpected and encouraging.
"I discovered my love for music at a young age singing in church and every now and then singing karaoke," Moore said. "My grandma and grandpa were the first people who encouraged me to sing publicly."
Inspired by artists such as Cody Johnson, Noah Thompson, and Treaty Oak Revival, Moore performs a blend of traditional and contemporary country music. His current repertoire includes songs such as "Travelin' Soldier," "People Are Crazy," "Good As You," "Long Black Train," "Rock Salt and Nails," and "Victory in Jesus."
Among those selections, "Travelin' Soldier" holds special significance.
"If it wasn't for the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for us to be free, we wouldn't have the freedom to play, sing, and enjoy the life we have," Moore said.
The Blackberry Ramble Festival proved to be a turning point for the young performer. What began as a casual invitation to sing evolved into a moment that has opened doors and introduced his voice to a much larger audience.
"I didn't expect to make it to the Top 3 in the finals," Moore admitted. "The support from everyone encouraged me to do more singing and made me feel like my voice needed to be heard more."
Today, Moore continues to balance everyday life with his growing musical ambitions. When he is not singing, he works in the tree service industry, enjoys horseback riding, and spends time with family and friends.
As for the future, he remains humble about where his musical journey may lead.
"I'm just going to let God guide me and see where it goes," he said.
One thing is certain: the response from audiences has given him newfound confidence.
"It's making me want to sing more and making me not as nervous," Moore said.
For now, Moore is accepting performance opportunities and is open to appearing at festivals, fairs, churches, community events, private functions, and other venues throughout the region.
And if the reaction to his Blackberry Ramble performance is any indication, many people are eager to hear more from this emerging Eastern Kentucky talent.
Follow Tristen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tristenmooremusic/
Website: Coming Soon
Fresh Start Health is a Kentucky provider that began with an outpatient clinic in Ashland in 2019. Fresh Start has since added three Rural Health Clinics within 45 miles: Grayson, Vanceburg, and the newest facility in Morehead, which held its ribbon cutting in March 2025. Across its locations, Fresh Start offers a full continuum of care under one roof: psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners and counselors for mental and behavioral health, an addiction medicine team for medication-assisted treatment and recovery support, and primary care for everyday medical needs, along with transportation services that help rural patients reach their appointments. Located at 150 Newtowne Square, the Morehead office extends Fresh Start's whole-person model of care to Rowan County and the surrounding communities.