appearance on the Louisiana Hayride television program. This brought Moore to the attention of the Abbott label. In 1953, the company released her first single while she was still a teenager titled "Too Old for Toys, Too Young for Boys". The track was issued under the name "Billie Jo Moore". According to the Encyclopedia of Music in the 20th Century, the record brought in an estimated $4,200. However, a separate statement from The Independent claimed that the record only brought Moore $2000. Moore graduated from Beaumont's French High School in 1955. Upon graduating, she worked a series of jobs outside the music industry. This included working as a carhop for four years at Neva's, a restaurant near her hometown. She also held a position as a clerical worker for the Beaumont Bag and Burlap Company. Meanwhile, Jack Rhodes persuaded Moore to pursue a career as a country music artist. In 1964, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee. During this period, she changed her professional name to "Billie Jo Spears". Career 1964–1973: Initial success Spears tried to find a recording contract after moving to Nashville. She first made several demonstration records with producer Pete Drake. In 1964, she secured a recording deal with United Artists Records. She cut several singles that were issued by United Artists but failed to become successful. Her producer at the time was Kelso Herston, who would move to Capitol Records. Believing in her musical abilities, he helped her switch to Capitol in 1968. Spears's first single for the label was the song "Harper Valley PTA". Released at the same time was a competing version by Jeannie C. Riley which became the commercially-successful version. Spears's next single, "He's Got More Love on His Little Finger", became her first to make the American Billboard country chart. It was followed later in the year by her debut studio album titled The Voice of Billie Jo Spears. Spears's next single release was 1969's "Mr. Walker, It's All Over". Its musical style and lyrical themes were said to resemble that of "Harper Valley PTA". The song told the story of a New York City secretary who confronts her boss after facing sexual harassment in the work place. The song became Spears's commercial breakout, reaching the top five of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, the top 80 of the Billboard Hot 100 and the top ten of the Canadian RPM Country Tracks