PUBLIC RESPONSE TO
"We Can't Make it Here"

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I had a feeling this song would confuse some people.

You all can decide for yourselves who is confused.

~KH

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"James, "We Can't Make It Here" hits home sorta like surgery with a pretty velvet covered sledge hammer. There can be no denial that you 'get it'. If only the greedy bastards wouldn't have provided you so darned much sad material for you... Oh well, no doubt you'll continue to get dribs and drabs of hate mail from selfrighteous ignorant flag waving bastards. It just proves how precise you were in hitting that nerve. It doesn't matter what they say about you, it matters that they're talking about you. Keep it up, James. Art has always been THE outlet for the truth supressed during troubled times and you've contributed a superb piece of music to the American landscape. I can't wait to pony up the cover charge the next time you mosey through town."
~ Bobby O

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The following from an American soldier who's apparently ahead of the times. -webmaster:
" The first time I ever heard James McMurtry was over fifteen years ago, in Stuttgart, Germany, on AFN, Armed Forces Network. I was amazed by his song, "Painting by Numbers." I learned how to play it on the guitar--a simple little piece, nothing tricky--and a year later, there I was with the 31st Combat Support Hospital in Saudi Arabia, playing my guitar during Operation Desert Storm, and thinking, "Man, whoever that guy was, he had it RIGHT."

Years later, here we are during Operation Iraqui Freedom. We're still
"painting by numbers." I intend to learn more about Mr. McMurtry, and I'm glad I found this website. God bless James McMurtry and his work."
~JC

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A true cockle bur of a song, lots of angles and true sharp points that stick tight and will not let go. It gets caught in folks hair, feet and ears! Some folks feel the pain under their saddle just like the horse, some folks sitting high and mighty can't figure out why the horse is bucking. It's a long way from a high horse to the ground when you fall.
Adios,
Radio Ranger
www.radioranger.org
KOPN 89.5 FM
915 E. Broadway
Columbia MO. 65201

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First heard "Can't Make It Here Anymore" on WKIT in Bangor, Maine about a month ago. It stopped me in my tracks (which probably wasn't good as I was at work) and hit me right in the chest. A good tune with a message should do that. I may not be aligned with all of your political views but I can't disagree with most of them. I'll forever stand by your right to express your views, no matter what venue you choose to do that with or in. Congrats on your "sell-out" at the Grand in Ellsworth. Couldn't get in but I'm sure you'll put on a hell of a show. Thanks for making us think!!!!

~WS, ME

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just recently got an xm radio for my truck and one of the very first songs i heard was "i can't make it here", being a shortwave radio listener for many years i have learned that the truth is a bitter pill to swallow. this song should be played on every station in the country. it might wake a few more people up. love your music
~B., FL

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This song is important because it does reflect an America I see: small communities getting overrun by all kinds of forces: real estate development, loss of manufacturing jobs, the false community of television, drive-thru windows, “Internet shopping”, and fear fear fear.

Poor people are getting so poor they have no choice but to work for McDonald’s or Wal-Mart, companies that can afford to lose money in a given location for four or ten years, because they are making money elsewhere. And they know ten years is plenty long enough to put the local department store out of business. (Waterville, Maine now has two Wal-Marts!)

I’m not saying we need laws to ban these immoral business practices of the Wal-Mart’s and McDonald’s … I’m saying (and I think so is McMurtry!) that we need citizens who are smart enough to recognize this immoral business model of these huge corporations, and compassionate enough to care about it.

What’s really scary is the thought that social security will soon be like what the 401(k) programs are now: a system where American working people’s money is used to provide capital for huge companies chasing the almighty buck. Unfortunately for the working man, some of these companies aren’t very concerned for the well-being of him, his town or his country’s future. In fact, since he is a consumer, they prey on him. It’s a sad, sad irony that the working man’s own sweat labor is going to contribute to his own downfall.

Also, a friend of mine made a good point the other day. He said, “We, as humans, need three things to survive: Food, Water and Shelter.

“Today in America, we can achieve none of these without oil. Oil to bring the food to town, oil to cook it, oil to heat the house in the winter, oil to cool it down in the summer, oil to pump the water to the faucet, oil to heat it.”

You want to talk about “we can’t make it here anymore”…? Wait ‘til the oil’s all gone. Yeah, it might not happen for 50 years or 250, but it will happen. And your name, your seed, will be around then, wondering WTF were our ancestors thinking and WTF am I gonna do with this big ol’ truck now and who’s got some friggin’ food that I can feed my family with?

Kids in school these days aren’t even taught where their food comes from! Will the people who’re around when the oil runs out know how to survive on Earth? I suppose that’s up to the parents and the teachers of today. Our nation’s soul is sick now.

This is NJC writing from the woods of Maine. Thanks for initiating a bit of healing James. (And for the good music to boot!).

Keep teaching and keep fighting for your rights.
~NN