• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Muddy River Sports
  • Podcasts
    • State of Play with David Adam
    • Muddy River Podcasts
  • Muddy River TV+
  • Support Muddy River News
  • Newsletter

Muddy River News

Our Home. Our News.

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Politics
  • Muddy River Vibe
  • Blotter
  • Business
  • Local Matters
  • Markets & Ag
  • Opinion
  • Obituaries
  • Real Estate
  • Announcements
    • Anniversaries
    • Engagements
    • Obituaries
    • Weddings
    • Submit Announcement
  • Shop
Home » News » Whyte looks forward to Mo Mo concert on Friday night at Louisiana Elks Lodge

Whyte looks forward to Mo Mo concert on Friday night at Louisiana Elks Lodge

June 30, 2022 — by Brent Engel

Bill Whyte

LOUISIANA, Mo. — Bill Whyte can’t wait to once again perform the song that started him on the way to a notable country music career. 

The Louisiana Area Historical Museum will be the host of a concert by the Nashville recording artist at 7 p.m. Friday, July 1, at the Louisiana Elks Lodge, 120 N. Fifth. Tickets are $5 each for ages 13 and older and are available from museum board members or at the door. Those 12 and younger get in free.  

Whyte has penned songs in just about every category from comedy to gospel, but his first recording – “Mo Mo the Missouri Monster,” about a Bigfoot-like behemoth that put an international spotlight on Louisiana in 1972 — is the one that, like the creature, lingers.  

“I am so looking forward to this special event to sing about and talk about my old monster buddy,” Whyte said. “I’m hoping to have a couple of guests who will share what they know about Mo Mo and the creation of the song, too.”

Whyte got his start at Bowling Green’s KPCR-FM Radio, which is now KJFM. He remembers station owner Paul Salois and morning disc jockey Joe Lewis had written a poem about Mo Mo.

“I only tweaked what they wrote to make it fit the melody I wrote for the song.” Whyte said. 

Johnny Nace, a popular country musician and deejay in Warrensburg where Whyte went to college, took the young musician to Nashville to record “Mo Mo.”  

Whyte graduated from Central Missouri State University with a degree in mass media. A radio career included award-winning, high-profile stops in Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Milwaukee and Nashville. He also was a member of the United Talent roster owned by legends Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn.  

Whyte has received multiple awards for songwriting. Among dozens of artists who have recorded his tunes are Ray Stevens, Joe Nichols, Cledus T. Judd, The Del McCoury Band, Linda Davis, Hillary Scott and Brady Seals. 

While some songs deal with serious subjects, many tend toward the lighter side. Examples are “Things That Don’t Suck About Being a Guy,” “Honey Don’t Do List” and “Leave ‘Em Laughing.” One with which crowds can certainly identify is “The Dipstick Song (High Gas Prices at the Pump).”   The singer had great training for such lyrics. He wrote comedy for a syndicate in New York for almost three decades and once did stand-up in clubs.

Whyte enjoys mixing genres during performances.  

“Nobody feels bad when they’re laughing,” he explained. “And I love being able to provide that. But I also love performing a wide variety of songs that are the biggest part of my songwriting catalog.”  

The best artists draw upon personal experience, and Whyte is no exception. Tunes that have the most impact usually offer nuggets of fact.  

“The audience picks up on that,” Whyte said. “I do a song called ‘Face For Radio,’ because every bit of it was written about my long radio career, and every line is true. At the same time, funny songs make an impact because usually there’s some truth tucked into those songs, too. I write songs with our veterans and all of those songs are nothing but the truth from the eyes of a soldier. I’ll talk about that experience at the show.”  

Whyte enjoys the intimacy of what he calls “listening audiences.”

“I played in a band for years and played to big audiences some, and that is a different kind of thrill,” he said. “But I love being able to sing my original songs and tell the stories behind those songs. And I love being able to talk ‘one-on-one’ with those in the audience about those songs and my life.”

That interaction is something vital to Whyte’s shows.  

“It’s all about making a connection with the fans,” he said. “If I can do that, I’m going to enjoy the show more, and so are they. To look at faces that are laughing, sometimes crying, and responding to songs you’ve written is more rewarding than I can describe.”  

The Louisiana gig will be a “very informal acoustic show,” Whyte promises. He plans to wear a Mo Mo shirt that the museum is selling, and says he’ll be “extremely disappointed” if fans don’t talk with him afterward. 

“Hopefully, folks will feel like they are sitting in their living rooms listening to a friend tell stories and sing songs,” Whyte said. “I’ll do a mix of serious songs, gospel songs, songs that have been recorded by artists they will know, a patriotic song and certainly a healthy dose of funny songs. And, oh yeah, I’ll sing ‘Mo Mo,’ too.”

So … is Whyte a skeptic or adherent of the elusive beast?  

“Oh, ya gotta believe in something, don’t ya?” he said.

Miss Clipping Out Stories to Save for Later?

Click the Purchase Story button below to order a print of this story. We will print it for you on matte photo paper to keep forever.

Purchase Story
close

Do you want to receive the Muddy River News newsletter in your inbox every morning? Send us your email address, click "Subscribe" and don't forget to check your email to confirm your FREE subscription.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Filed Under: Local Matters, Muddy River Vibe Tagged With: Bill Whyte, Louisiana Historical Museum, MO Mo the Monster

Primary Sidebar

DAILY MUDDY: WE HEAR FROM THE KIDS

https://youtu.be/Ag2K0W8Fu34
View Complete Forecast

Trending Posts This Week

  • ‘Humiliating and embarrassing’: Adams County assistant state’s attorney fired after just four months on job
    QUINCY — An assistant state’s attorney for Adams County was let go last week after working for just four months,...
  • Emergency protective order granted for Mayor Troup against Jason Priest after ’10 sticks of dynamite’ comment
    QUINCY — Quincy Mayor Mike Troup was granted an emergency summons protective order on Monday against Jason Priest, who said...
  • Tribune report shows six of 10 Illinoisans drinking tap water with toxic chemicals; Conte says chemicals found in Quincy but don’t pose serious threat
    QUINCY — A recent investigation by the Chicago Tribune says more than 8 million people in the state — 6...
  • Boaters offer help, Park Board offers feedback on what it wants to see to keep Art Keller Marina open
    QUINCY — Some Quincy Park Board commissioners bristled after board president John Frankenhoff told local media outlets after the Aug....
  • Quincy’s Sixth Street Promenade to get $2.4 million state Main Street grant; Pittsfield getting $2.8 million for work on Monroe Street
    And Quincy is getting even more for the project: $2.4 million. That money will go toward improvements to the corridor...

Follow Us Online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Our Most Recent Podcasts

  • DAILY MUDDY PODCAST: We hear from the kids August 16, 2022
  • DAILY MUDDY PODCAST: School of Rock (and Country) August 16, 2022
  • CLUB MUDDY PODCAST: Audits at gunpoint August 13, 2022
  • MRN Business Spotlight Podcast: Area Distributors August 12, 2022
  • DAILY MUDDY PODCAST: Ethan’s Rodeo August 12, 2022
  • DAILY MUDDY PODCAST: Crazy times in a river town August 9, 2022
  • DAILY MUDDY PODCAST: Have gun, will travel August 8, 2022
  • CLUB MUDDY PODCAST: Elephants and asses in the room August 8, 2022
  • Adams County Board Finance Committee meeting closed session from May 9, 2022 August 2, 2022
  • Adams County Board closed session recording from May 10, 2022 August 2, 2022

More Top Stories

More than $215,000 awarded to area nonprofit organizations through Community Foundation’s competitive grant program

by Muddy River News

QUINCY — Fifty nonprofit organizations received a total of $215,960.55 in grant funding through the Community Foundation Serving West Central Illinois & Northeast Missouri’s competitive grant program. A total of 55 grants, awarded from 50 funds held at the Community Foundation, will support a … ...Read Full Article about More than $215,000 awarded to area nonprofit organizations through Community Foundation’s competitive grant program

Bushmeyer comes home as part of Gem City Music Festival

by Ron Kinscherf, Muddy River News Correspondent

Ever since a trip to Nashville with the Quincy High School Show Choir, Annie Bushmeyer knew she wanted to move there and be a performer, but she had no idea that her life’s path would turn into its own country song. Nobody kicked her dog or dented her truck.  However, her heart was … ...Read Full Article about Bushmeyer comes home as part of Gem City Music Festival

Quincy’s Sixth Street Promenade to get $2.4 million state Main Street grant; Pittsfield getting $2.8 million for work on Monroe Street

by Muddy River News

QUINCY — The second time was the charm. In 2020, The City of Quincy Quincy applied for a $1.03-million IDOT grant to help pay for the Sixth Street Promenade, but it was rejected. But today, Governor JB Pritzker announced that Quincy was of several communities to receive part of $215 million … ...Read Full Article about Quincy’s Sixth Street Promenade to get $2.4 million state Main Street grant; Pittsfield getting $2.8 million for work on Monroe Street

Tribune report shows six of 10 Illinoisans drinking tap water with toxic chemicals; Conte says chemicals found in Quincy but don’t pose serious threat

by David Adam, MRN Editor

QUINCY — A recent investigation by the Chicago Tribune says more than 8 million people in the state — 6 out of every 10 Illinoisans — are drinking tap water with toxic chemicals that build up in human blood, cause cancer and other diseases and take years to leave the body. Recent testing by the … ...Read Full Article about Tribune report shows six of 10 Illinoisans drinking tap water with toxic chemicals; Conte says chemicals found in Quincy but don’t pose serious threat

QU adds fraternity, sorority; university hopes to raise $175,000 to upgrade houses on 18th Street

by rkinscherf

QUINCY — People driving north on 18th Street past Quincy University in the past week may have noticed fresh paint and other modifications to the houses that make up the school’s Greek Row. Through a donation of $25,000, QU has started the first phase of a remodeling … ...Read Full Article about QU adds fraternity, sorority; university hopes to raise $175,000 to upgrade houses on 18th Street

Footer

Coverage Area

Muddy River News LLC
535 Maine, Suite 4A
Quincy, IL 62301

Have a Story or News Tips? Contact Us!

Phone: (217) 577-8044
Email: news@muddyrivernews.com

Copyright © 2022 • Muddy River News LLC • All Rights Reserved • Privacy Policy