Michael Martin Murphey Red River Drifter biography

In the early 1970s, Rolling Stone Magazine called Michael Martin Murphey “one of the best songwriters in America.” Since that time, Murphey has left an indelible mark on the American Music Landscape crafting and recording such iconic hits as “Wildfire,” “Caro- lina In The Pines”, “Geronimo’s Cadillac”, “Cowboy Logic,” “Cherokee Fiddle”, “Boy From The Country” and more. In the process, he has topped the Pop, Country, Bluegrass and Western Music charts, earned six gold albums and multiple Grammy nominations.

Through all the chart- Rogers, Hoyt Axton, The Mon- jumping and genre-busting, kees and more. “I spend a lot Murphey has remained con- of time on the road listening to stant to an honest, sophisti- all kinds of music,” he says. “I cated approach to his song- grew up in Texas, the world’s writing. His forthcoming Red number one musical cross- River Drifter (set for release on roads where anything goes July 9 on Red River Enter- musically. Texas has produced tainment) is a collection that great artists from every genre. draws from a deep well of You can wake up and say ‘to- eclectic influences ranging day, I think I’ll write a sym- from classical to country, phony’ and you can find an blues to bluegrass, pop to audience for it there. The same western. In fact, it’s simply can be said about any genre in impossible to pigeon-hole Murphey to one spe- music. Texans love music. They enjoy opera and cific genre. He is no more country than rock, no they enjoy bluegrass. I am a product of that, and I more bluegrass than classical. He is, rather, a am the Number One fan of all types of music.” true AMERICAN songwriter. Red River Drifter was produced by guitar ace “What I’ve written over the years has always Pat Flynn and Ryan Murphey, who has produced reflected what was influencing me at the time,” Murphey’s last three albums. The majority of the says Murphey. “This album is a return to those songs were written while the group was working a days when I was influenced by everything. Right month-long series of shows in Colorado. “We had now, some really interesting , intricate melodies a great place to sit on the back porch and look are coming to me.” out at the mountains. It was like sitting there like A native Texan, Murphey’s songs have always an eagle on a perch looking at life.” reflected his lifestyle, and are understandably seen It is an approach that has worked well for through a Western lens, often built on outdoor Murphey. According to BMI, Murphey has 5 themes with the sensibilities of his cowboy lifestyle. million-performance songs — “Wildfire” (3.9 mil- From the first notes of the bluegrass-driven “Peace- lion), “Cherokee Fiddle” (1.92 million), “Carolina ful Country,” Red River Drifter takes listeners on a In The Pines” (1.65 million), “Talking To The journey through the broad spectrum of music Mur- Wrong Man” (1.21 million), “Still Takin’ Chances” phey absorbs while traveling from city to city — up (1.2) — and a total of 11 award-winning BMI to 200 dates a year — from coast to coast. songs (6 in Country and 5 in Pop). Also, ac- At the core of his music is a stubborn determi- cording to BMI, repeat, back to back perform- nation to be the best songwriter he can be, a fo- ances of his award winning songs alone, with cus that has led to his songs being covered by each song averaging 3 minutes each, would such artists as Lyle Lovett, John Denver, Kenny amount to 64 years of continuous airplay.

Contact: Lance Cowan • LCMedia • (615) 331-1710 • [email protected] • www.lancecowanmedia.com Red River Drifter songs

Peaceful Country — My wife and I recently moved back to the mountains of Colorado. It wasn’t easy. We both live very busy lives, and I began to see this as a parable about what all lovers are trying to get back to. Something of a quieter, peaceful existence where they are doing things on a daily basis they are passionate about. I tour so much that going home is my vacation, so I try to live in vacation places.

Under a Rolling Sky — The happiest I think you can be is where you lose your way but are not scare. You’re on the road not taken. You’re lost, but you’re happy. I’m a Christian, but I’m also heavily influenced by Zen. This is heavily influenced by Zen.

Secret Smile — This is a song I wrote for my wife, Karen. I think there’s a secret smile that happens between two people who are falling in love that only they can see. The trick of a relationship is keeping that secret smile going for a lifetime. When that starts to disappear you’re in trouble, buddy!

Faded Blue — I remember a time in my younger life when a city slicker took my girlfriend away because I didn’t have any means. Then it occurred to me: if she would run off with somebody else, did I really want her anyway? So I’m sticking with my faded blues. I’m not changing my lifestyle so i can attract somebody who is attracted to things i don’t want.

Shake It Off — Paulene Reese is one of the top female singers in Texas. We’ve been friends a long time, and we had a great time singing this together.

Hardscrabble Creek — I grew up around people who could scrape out a living during the hardest times you could imagine. None of the hard times we’re going through now compare to what they went through in the Depression. That is what the word “hardscrabble” refers to. They scratched out a living on ground that doesn’t give up a living easily. they made it through by watching each others’ back and by being a commu- nity. Its’ about overcoming hard times together and it’s as pertinent now as it was then.

Mountain Storm — Every time I play in the mountains I wonder if I’ll get rained out. But if you wait a little while, things will change. You just enjoy the storm as much as you enjoy the rainbow. There’s that Zen thing again. I wrote this with my son, Ryan. There’s a lot that is very personal between the two of us, that stems from when I was going through a divorce with his mother.

The Gathering — This is a farewell to my old guitar player, Paul Sadler, who died two years ago. Paul loved Celtic music. He called me before he died and said he wanted to clear the air of any tension between us. He said he’d always intended to be friends. We both realized that we owe so much to our friends. In the final end when we all gather, we’re going to realize we owe as much to our foes as our friends.

New Old Love — Ryan wanted to write a song about a marriage that seemingly has become troubled but can still be renewed. Sometimes, relationships turn around and you’re not sure why. It’s nothing we did or didn’t do. But it’s all brand new again.

Unfinished Symphony — I’ve been working on this particular melody for more than 30 years. I could never find the words. So Ryan suggested we write about it being unfinished. It’s about how you think love is going to last forever because there’s a defined set of circumstances that will play out as a progression to life. But that’s not possible. It is constantly evolving and changing. We used music as a comparison. In the beginning of the rela- tionship, the melody and harmony are easy. Then it evolves and the complexity turns into interweaving intricacies. The two lives forever growing together, but never finished. The song is always being refined.

Contact: Lance Cowan • LCMedia • (615) 331-1710 • [email protected] • www.lancecowanmedia.com Michael Martin Murphey Critics’ Comments

“The Grammy-winning performer and wild lands advocate, in his weathered buckskin clothing, cowboy hat and rustic, bearded grin, is as authentic as the Rocky Mountains. Murphey, or ‘Murph’ to his friends, symbolizes a bygone era, drawing on his family’s deep roots, a genuine love of artful storytelling and the culture of the West. No one personifies this kind of Americana more than Murphey.” — Dave Muscari / Denver Hotel Magazine

“Few people are dedicated to preserving the heritage and beauty of the American West quite like cowboy singer-songwriter Michael Martin Murphey. Through his music he tells the stories and romance of the Native Americans, cowboys, horsemen, ranchers, outlaws, and lawmen. But Murphey has gone beyond storytelling through active involvement in the conservation of the relics and landscape that define his most treasured region.” — Jennings Brown / Cowboys & Indians

“Michael Martin Murphey may never have a bigger radio hit than ‘Wildfire,’ but what he has done by preserving the heritage of the West is bigger than any hit song. He is a living monument and a lesson to us all.” — Storme Warren / Country Weekly Magazine

“In the past two decades, no musical artist has done more to chronicle, preserve and further the cowboy culture than Michael Martin Murphey. His music overflows with life, enough for many of us. To saddle up with Murph is to come in closer touch with enduring truths.” — Dave McGee / thebluegrassspecial.com

“One of the best songwriters in the country.” — Rolling Stone Magazine

“ When he lived in Austin in the mid- ‘70s, Murphey was one of the formative voices and most so- phisticated songwriters of the progressive-country boom that defined the city’s music in that era. Murphey originals such as “Geronimo’s Cadillac,” “Alley’s of Austin” and “Backslider’s Wine” remain among the most graceful and accomplished tunes to come out of Austin’s turbulent country-rock scene.” — John T. Davis / Austin American Statesman

“Murphey has spent decades raising horses and cattle in the Southwest and Midwest, and he has spearheaded the Western music revival since releasing Cowboy Songs in 1990. He’s the real deal.” — Kevin Allen / Texas Music

“Michael Martin Murphey is a passionate advocate for the American West. He’s introduced thou- sands of people to its natural beauty via trail rides, festivals and concerts. His music celebrate the people and places that make it grand.” — Tom Wilmes / American Cowboy

Contact: Lance Cowan • LCMedia • (615) 331-1710 • [email protected] • www.lancecowanmedia.com