Willett, Slim Willet

(1919-1966)

 Winston Lee Moore, better known as Slim Willet, is perhaps best remembered as the composer of “Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes” (No. 1, 1952), but he also left his mark as a disc jockey, record producer and television personality. Slim was born on December 1, 1919, in Victor, Texas. His family later moved to Clyde, and Willet graduated from Clyde High School in 1935. 

After serving a brief stint in the U.S. Army during World War II, Willet returned to the Abilene area and later entered Hardin-Simmons University. While working as student manager of the school radio station, he adopted his pseudonym Slim, because he was far from slender. He took Willet from the Willets, characters in his favorite comic strip “Out Our Way.” Upon graduation from Hardin-Simmons in 1949, he went to work for radio station KRBC (Abilene) as an advertising salesman and disc jockey. Slim was a popular DJ at the station where he remained until 1956. Slim wrote several songs, including his “Pinball Millionaire,” which was recorded by both Hank Locklin..

Willett’s own recording career began in 1950 for the Dallas-based Star Talent label. His first release, the self-penned “I’m a Tool Pusher from Snyder” was one of the songs with which he became most associated. In the early '50s Willet released a few hit singles on the 4 Star label, including "Red Rose," "No Love Song to You," and his only Billboard chart single, “Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes” (No. 1, 1952). During that time , the popular song was also charted by Skeets McDonald (No. 1, 1952), Ray Price (No. 4, 1952) and Red Foley (No. 8, 1953). 

At the height of his popularity, Willet Willet and his band, The Hired Hands made regular guest appearances on the Big D Jamboree (KRLD) Dallas, Texas, the Louisiana Hayride (KWKH) in Shreveport, Louisiana and the Town Hall Party (KXLA-AM) Compton, California. Although he never had a follow-up hit, Willet continued to write and record. While continuing with his radio activities, Willet set up an advertising agency to handle local promotional ventures. In this capacity, he booked Elvis Presley’s first appearance in Abilene in 1955.

Slim died of an apparent heart attack on July 1, 1966. Slim Willet was elected to the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 1996.