James McMurtry New Blog
James McMurtry recently shared his thoughts in a new blog for Blurt!:

"I've been an avid reader of gun magazines since I was about nine years old. Reading about guns was one of my favorite methods of putting off homework. I can't remember when I first saw Dick Metcalf's byline, but it seems as if he's been writing for one gun magazine or another more or less forever. I didn't read much of Metcalf's writing because he tended to write about gun law, a subject in which I had little interest at a young age. When putting off sixth grade history homework assignments, one does not want to see the word "Constitution" in a gun magazine. But the byline was always there somewhere in Shooting Times or Guns and Ammo, along with those of many others, Colonel Jeff Cooper, Skeeter Skelton, Jon Sundra, familiar names that inhabited one of my favorite refuges from the world of what had to be done. My favorites, Cooper and Skelton, have passed on. Mr. Metcalf is still among the living, but his byline has vanished..."

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James McMurtry Signs with Complicated Game - New Album Out in Late 2014
James McMurtry recently signed with the bourgeoning Los Angeles record label Complicated Game. The legendary songwriter will enter the studio later this month to start working on his first album in six years. “I’ve got a new batch of songs, organic and with no added sulfites, aged in oak for several years,” he says. “Francois Moret at Complicated Game seems to like these songs and (producer) C.C. Adcock thinks he can turn them into a record. Good times fixing to roll.”

Label head Moret agrees. “In March 2013, when C.C. Adcock told me we were going to see James McMurtry at the Continental Club in Austin, I expected to see a good show,” he says, “but what I saw left me mesmerized! I immediately knew I wanted to sign him. As a European, it is an amazing opportunity to work with one of the most talented American singer-songwriters.”

Evidence: McMurtry’s Just Us Kids (2008) and Childish Things (2005). The former earned his highest Billboard 200 chart position in nearly two decades and notched four Americana Music Award nominations. Meanwhile, Childish Things scored endless critical praise and spent six full weeks topping the Americana Music Radio chart in 2005 and 2006. In 2006, Childish Things won the Americana Music Association’s Album of the Year and “We Can’t Make It Here” was named its Song of the Year.

Of course, the forthcoming (and as-yet-untitled) record will include the literate story songs longtime enthusiasts expect. Recall high watermarks: “Childish Things,” “Choctaw Bingo,” “Levelland,” “Out Here in the Middle,” “Peter Pan” only begin the list. Just Us Kids alone includes fan favorite live staples like “Hurricane Party,” “Ruby and Carlos” and “You’d a Thought.” His finest deliver equal measures depth and breadth and pierce hearts with sharp sociopolitical commentary (“Fireline Road”).

Cassettes for the Collectors
From deep within the James McMurtry archives, a rare treasure has been found: 15 Cassettes of It Had To Happen (1998's Indie Award winner for Americana Album of the Year). Factory sealed, this rare cassette recording includes a card of authenticity (numbered and autographed) that reveals - in McMurtry's own words - the story behind the making of this award-winning album.  CLICK HERE to purchase yours today.  

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