LUCKY MELLENCAMP JOHN

Lucky Mellencamp John

James McMurtry: Austin Original

Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World, and for good reason: its numerous live music venues and colorful local clubs offer seasoned professionals and up-and-coming bands the chance to perform for live audiences seven days a week throughout the year. One of the most popular local performers is James McMurtry, whose roots-rock anthems gained critical acclaim and popularity due to their inclusion of topical subject matter and down-home bluesy style.  McMurtry can be heard performing live on stage most Wednesday evenings at the Continental Club in Austin.

The son of famous Western novelist Larry McMurtry, James McMurtry first began playing the guitar at age seven; he did not break into the music business until 1987, eighteen years later, when he won the New Folk songwriting contest. Family connections helped McMurtry make contact with John Mellencamp, who later produced McMurtry’s first album in 1989, “Too Long in the Wasteland.”  Additional albums soon followed, including “Candyland” and “Where’d You Hide the Body” in the early nineties.   It was not until the release of McMurtry’s first tour album, “Live in Aught Three,” however, that McMurtry began taking a public stand in the political arena.

McMurtry had become concerned about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the attitudes of public officials, including Dick Cheney and George W. Bush.  His direct and cutting criticisms of the war and the prevailing political climate struck a chord with equally frustrated listeners, and McMurtry’s first big hit, “We Can’t Make It Here,” gave voice to the repressed political anger of music-lovers all around the world.  The song was made available for free download and received significant radio airtime, creating both publicity and controversy for the performer and album.  “I wasn't aware of the power of the Internet at all,” McMurtry stated in a 2008 interview.  The sudden success of the single helped “Childish Things” to achieve respectable sales and critical praise, and placed McMurtry squarely in the ranks of politically-active musical artists.

Further controversy came with the song “Cheney’s Toy”, which depicted George W. Bush as the puppet of his influential vice president and attracted a number of angry letters to radio stations and to McMurtry himself. The pressure brought to bear proved ineffectual, however, since McMurtry’s albums are produced by independent record labels.  “Childish Things” won the prestigious Album of the Year award at the 2006 Americana Music Awards, along with “We Can’t Make It Here” as Song of the Year.  

McMurtry’s most recent album, “Just Us Kids,” reached 136th on the Billboard charts, marking his first appearance in the top 200.  McMurtry currently divides his time between touring, making albums, and performing live at the Continental Club on South Congress Avenue in Austin, Texas, his adopted home. While McMurtry’s stated liberal views might seem unusual for Texas, McMurtry said of Austin’s political climate, “It’s not tough living in Austin at all.  Austin’s a little blue dot in a sea of red.”  Certainly Austin residents have embraced the songwriter-performer and his unique roots-rock offerings, making his performances at the Continental some of the most well-attended and popular events at the historic club.  For those lucky enough to catch one of his live performances, James McMurtry offers his listeners a musical and political experience that truly is uniquely Austin.

About the Author

Joe Cline writes articles for Austin real estate blog. Other articles written by the author related to Austin real estate blog and Austin Texas real estate can be found on the net.

do you want to play a game? We'll be FRIENDS if you do!?

I am bored, so I thought I would try something different:

We all know Friends had six primary characters, whose careers have been drastically different since the show left the air. our challenge is to pick one song for each character/star to highlight their post friend career!

Ross ( david Schwimmer)- Who are You? The Who
Rachel ( Jen) - Lonely Ol Night _john mellencamp
Joey ( Matt Le Blanc)- Just Got Lucky - JoBoxers
Chandler( Matt Perry) - I Don't Know - Ozzy
Phoebe ( Lisa Kudrow)- Lightning Strikes - lou christie
Monica( Courtney Cox) - Mother - Pink Floyd

Good Luck and enjoy

I would like you to select your song for each character!
Excellent Ryall!
Nice Beatles
well done kika
Nice - Shades

David Schwimmer - I Dissappear (Metallica)
Aniston - I still haven't found what I'm looking for (U2)
Le Blanc - Another one bites the dust (Queen)
Perry - Enjoy the Silence (Depeche Mode)
Cox - I wanna be adored (Stone Roses)
Kudrow - Supermassive Black Hole (Muse)

Someday The Rains Will Fall

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