The Official Site of James McMurtry

photo by Dan Winters

Happy Birthday, Willie Nelson
To pay tribute to the great Willie Nelson on his eightieth birthday, Gun And Garden Magazine turned to a handful of musicians who've been influenced by the Red-Headed Stranger over the years—some by the man himself, some by his songs—and asked them to share their memories. Happy birthday, Willie, and may you have many more ahead.

James McMurtry: There are about three people around whom I get starstruck, and Willie Nelson is one of them. I first saw him play in Wichita Falls sometime in the 1970s. I was just fifteen or sixteen. And when he came out on stage, there was no big announcement. He just kind of snuck out from behind one of the speaker columns and started playing. I learned from that. That's the way I come out on stage today.

James McMurtry Interviews Guy Clark
Grab your copy of the May/June edition of Lone Star Music Magazine (available later this month) to read the incredible Q&A James McMurtry conducted with friend and hero, Guy Clark (whose upcoming release, My Favorite Picture of You, will be in stores July 23rd). Now, for a limited time, receive a discounted rate for a YEAR's subscription of Lone Star Music Magazine (featuring the best of the best in Americana and Red Dirt music). CLICK HERE to subscribe now.

James McMurtry is gearing up to go into the studio soon to start recording his upcoming record (scheduled for release in 2014). Get a sneak-peek of his brand new material at a show near you!

James McMurtry Speaks Out On Gun Controversy
Austin singer-songwriter James McMurtry, a gun owner himself, weighs in on the gun controversy in his latest blog, featured in Blurt! CLICK HERE to read "More Than Just A Tall Order. "

(Road Dogs: Snapped while passing The Marshall Tucker Band's Bobtail touring rig near Spartanburg, SC)

Road Perspectives
Throughout the course of his extensive 2012 tour, James McMurtry is snapping pictures of the world around him. CLICK HERE for photos. (All photos by James McMurtry via iPhone).

James McMurtry - Man of Letters
Taking in the world around him with his keen eye for detail, James McMurtry recently penned a new blog for Blurt. In this latest entry, McMurtry describes his recent trip to Mexico. CLICK HERE to read"It's Different Down There"

McMurtry Limited Edition Prints
Limited edition reproductions of original acrylic on canvas hand-painting of James McMurtry
By artist (and McMurtry's drummer), Daren Hess

This fine reproduction on textured William Turner paper captures the light and essence of the original painting of James McMurtry by artist (and drummer) Daren Hess. Each 16 X 20 print is numbered, and autographed by both Hess and McMurtry. The very first in Hess' "From the Road" series,Hess painted the original work in the hotel rooms, greenrooms, and back rooms of McMurtry's 2012 tour of the Southeast (which included the Cayamo Cruise and performances in Mississippi, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Arkansas).

Remarkably, this painting marks the first time in almost 30 years that Daren Hess has put brush to canvas. Having performed in the McMurtry band for over 14 years, it's no surprise that Hess truly captures the poignant and ever expressive singer-songwriter.

CLICK HERE to buy yours TODAY

JAMES McMURTRY RELEASES NEW VERSION OF ACCLAIMED "WE CAN'T MAKE IT HERE" FEATURING JOAN BAEZ AND STEVE EARLE

Song featured on new compilation, Occupy This Album

In response to the monumental Occupy Movement, "America's Fiercest Songwriter" James McMurtry has joined forces with Steve Earle and Joan Baez to record a new version of McMurtry's poignant "We Can't Make It Here." Originally released in 2005 (Childish Things), "We Can't Make It Here" won the Americana Music Association's award for "Song of the Year" in 2006. Critically acclaimed, it's been cited among The Nation's "Best Protest Songs Ever"; one of the "25 Best Songs of the 2000s" in Rolling Stone magazine; and declared "a triumph — the anthem of the 99%," by Bob Lefsetz.

Produced by renowned Louisiana musician and producer C.C. Adcock (Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, Li'l Band O' Gold, Doyle Bramhall), the new version of the song is featured as part of the forthcoming release Occupy This Album: a compilation of music by, for and inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement and the 99%. Released by Music for Occupy through Razor & Tie distribution, the four-disc physical and 99-track digital compilation is available now HERE.

Proceeds received will go directly to the Occupy Wall Street movement, which began in the financial district of New York on Sept. 17, 2011. The movement can now be found in 951 cities in 83 countries on five continents. More information is available at www.musicforoccupy.org

James McMurtry Featured on CNN
"America's Fiercest Songwriter," James McMurtry was recently the featured artist on CNN's #MusicMonday. In case you missed it, CLICK HERE to check it out!

JAMES McMURTRY OFFERS FREE MP3 IN SUPPORT OF OCCUPY MOVEMENT
The singer-songwriter is giving away mp3s of his iconic political masterpiece "We Can't Make It Here" (from his award-winning Childish Things).

Fans are encouraged to use the free mp3 of "We Can't Make It Here" to create videos supporting the Occupy movement.

Click here to download the free mp3.

For the FIRST TIME in SEVEN YEARS, CLICK HERE to download the ACOUSTIC mp3.

(Radio: CLICK HERE to download the FCC-Friendly Radio Edit)

CLICK HERE to read McMurtry's latest blog about the Occupy Movement.

James McMurtry in Garden and Gun
"When I step off the twin-prop plane in Wichita Falls, Texas, and into the late-day heat of spring, wind blasting forty miles an hour, the first thing I hear, literally, is a loud and live rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” by what sounds like a marching band. Wichita Falls is home to Sheppard Air Force Base, one of the busiest airfields in the U.S. Air Force. The band is practicing, is all—it’s no special occasion—but then the Warthogs go screaming past, and James McMurtry drives up in his old Ranger pickup, his wild Jesus hair silhouetted by the westering sun, and I get it instantly. This isn’t just something he sings about—the heartland, rural values, hard choices, wars, politics—it’s his world, his milieu."

CLICK HERE to read more of this incredible Garden and Gun feature written by the great Rick Bass. For a custom playlist of some of McMurtry's favorite tunes, CLICK HERE.

Listen to James McMurtry on Spotify

Continental Club Residency
When he is not on the road, you can catch James McMurtry in Austin for his regular solo/acoustic show at the Continental Club Gallery every Tuesday. And the James McMurtry Band can be found each Wednesday performing their renowned regular midnight set at The Continental Club in Austin, Texas.

Daytrotter
CLICK HERE for James McMurtry's recent Daytrotter session.

James McMurtry's Longform Video Clips from Where'd You Hide The Body?
CLICK HERE for James McMurtry's Grammy Nominated Longform Music Video for Where'd You Hide The Body?

Candyland NOW Available On iTunes
At long last, James McMurtry's celebrated album, Candyland (featuring the iconic fan-favorite "Where's Johnny"), has come out of the vault and is available NOW on iTunes. CLICK HERE to purchase your copy today.

Rave Reviews of
Live in Europe
Austin Chronicle: Click Here
No Depression: Click Here
Montgomery Media: Click Here
Blogcritics.com: Click Here
Roughstock: Click Here
AustinSound: Click Here
CountryChart.com: Click Here

News and Events Archives

2012
2011
2010
2009
2008

2007

2006

2005