James McMurtry will join Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Jenny Reynolds in a live performance at Sholtz Garten on January 18 from 5 - 7:30 p.m. to benefit Austin Helps Haiti. Proceeds will go to support the relief effort following the devastating earthquake in Haiti on January 12th. McMurtry will perform a solo set. To read the full story at KXAN.com, click here.
McMurtry to Perform 2 Live Shows on Michael Nesmith's Video Ranchon January 15, 2010
@ 1pm and 8pm (Central).
Correction--Charleston, SC, Post and Courier Article Contains Misinformation
A recent article in the Charleston Post and Courier contains an error. The article states, "Ian McLagen [sic] joins in for the second hour." In fact, Tim Holt, sound man extraordinaire and a great guitarist, joins the band for the second half of the show. McLagan joined McMurtry and the Heartless Bastards on their tour of Europe earlier this year, but is not joining them on the current tour. Otherwise a great article!
In early 2009, James McMurtry and his trio traveled overseas to play their first European tour. The guys played for enthusiastic crowds in Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, The Netherlands, Scotland and Belgium. Joining the band on keyboards for the tour was the legendary Ian McLagan (who also played on McMurtry’s latest studio album, Just Us Kids).
The best recordings from the Amsterdam, The Netherlands and Geislingen, Germany concerts were combined to create Live in Europe. The album includes a bonus DVD featuring performances from the Amsterdam show. This marks the first time fans will be able to purchase video footage of McMurtry live in concert. The deluxe vinyl version includes inserted copies of the CD and DVD. Fellow Austin-based songwriter Jon Dee Graham opened the shows and joins the band on a version of his tune “Laredo” on the bonus DVD.
McMurtry is a favorite around the world whose songs have appeared on the iPods of Stephen King, Matthew McConaughey, George W. Bush, and most recently, Jewel.
When George W. Bush left office, his hometown of Crawford, Texas welcomed him home with a great affair. The band hired to perform at the Welcome Home Bash included Josh Garner (former drummer of rock band The Dedringers, who shared the stage with James McMurtry, Hayes Carll, Ryan Bingham and others on numerous occasions) Bush's Secret Service screened everyone involved with the big event. As they ran the routine background check on Garner, a flag went up. They specifically asked him, "What is your affiliation with James McMurtry?"McMurtry's recent political activism had definitely been noticed by the Powers That Were. His two songs "We Can't Make it Here" and "Cheney's Toy" were not particularly flattering to the ex-president. In response, McMurtry said, "They never pull me out of the airport line. I guess they must be meticulous if I'm on the radar."
This fall, McMurtry will tour the U.S. and Europe in support of his upcoming release, Live in Europe on Lightning Rod Records, in stores October 13th. Former Dedringer frontman Jonny Burke will open the U.S. dates.
Check Out the Recent Interview with James on Wyoming Public Radio
James McMurtry is featured on "Man of Somebody's Dreams: A Tribute to Chris Gaffney" (in stores now). A founding member of the Hacienda Brothers, Gaffney passed away in 2008 after a courageous battle with liver cancer. McMurtry recorded Gaffney's "Fight (Tonight's the Night). Other artists on this amazing tribute include Los Lobos, Alejandro Escovedo, John Doe, Joe Ely, and of course, Dave Alvin. CLICK HERE for more info. Click to LISTEN and DOWNLOAD songs from Man of Somebody's Dreams: A Tribute to Chris Gaffney.
JAMES McMURTRY AND BAND TO TOUR EUROPE AGAIN!
James McMurtry and The Heartless Bastards have announced their second European tour. Watch this space for more info and possibly more dates. Here are the dates that have already been confirmed.
10/3 Groningen, NL, Take Root Festival
10/4 Antwerp, Belgium, Arenberg Schouwburg
10/5 London, UK, The BorderlineUPDATED
10/6 Nottingham, UK, Rescue Rooms
10/7 Bristol, UK, Fiddlers
10/8 Buckingham, UK, Old Town Hall UPDATED
10/ 9 Manchester, UK, Club Academy NEW!
10/10 York, UK, Duchess of York
10/11 Newcastle, UK, The Cluny
10/12 Edinburgh, Scotland, Bongo Club NEW!
10/13 Belfast, Northern Ireland, Errigle Inn
10/14 Kilkenny, Ireland, Langtons Theatre NEW!
10/15 Dublin, Ireland, Whelan's
Hula Hoopin' to McMurtry:
This is Awesome!
Anyone who has ever been to a live show knows that James McMurtry has some incredible fans. Check out this Raleigh/Durham fan hula hooping to "Bayou Tortous" HERE.
James McMurtry's latest album showed up on a wide array of Best of 2008 lists. USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Blurt Online, and the Philadelphia Inquirer are some of the publications that laud Just Us Kids as one of the year's foremost releases.
Here is a partial list of the reviews:
• USA Today - Ken Barnes' #2 album of the year
• Entertainment Weekly - Stephen King's #3 album
of the year
• Baltimore City Paper - Geoffrey Himes' #1 album
of the year
• Atlanta Journal-Constitution - #4 album of the year
• Americana Music Chart - #2 album of the year
• Blurt Online - #11 album of the year
• Popmatters - #5 Americana Album of the year
In 2009, James McMurtry and his band will tour Europe for the first time. Legendary musician, Ian McLagan (Faces), will join McMurtry's band on keyboards for the tour. Austin singer/songwriter, Jon Dee Graham, will open most of the dates. Both McLagan and Graham appear on Just Us Kids. CLICK HERE for tour dates.
McMurtry Fan Group
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