James McMurtry has been working with legendary Los Angeles-based producer Ross Hogarth at Santa Monica’s GrooveMasters for his forthcoming album (featuring a collection of notable players and steller new songs) and is now in the final stage. Liner notes enthusiasts know multiple-Grammy-winning producer/engineer/mixer Hogarth from his work with Gov’t Mule, Roger Waters, The Black Crowes, Shawn Colvin, John Mellencamp, R.E.M.and Jewel, among many others. Hogarth’s wide and varied experience and taste opened up all creative doors and usual and unusual possibilities for all their classics.  And no need to explain the incredible GrooveMasters Studio. 

James McMurtry’s new single, “State of the Union,” is now available as a free download via his website www.jamesmcmurtry.com. The singular songwriter’s razor-sharp sociopolitical commentary surely will turn heads: “My brother’s a fascist, lives in Palacios, fishes the pier every night,” the song opens. “He holsters his glock in a double retention. He smokes while he waits for a bite. He don’t like the Muslims. He don’t like the Jews. He don’t like the Blacks and he don’t trust the news. He hates the Hispanics and alternative views. He’ll tell you it’s tough to be white.”

“Every region of the United States seems to have its own way of Anglicizing, or rather, Americanizing Spanish names,” McMurtry explains. “There’s a town called Palacios on the Texas coast. Texans pronounce it ‘Palashuss,’ which just happens to kinda rhyme with ‘fascist.’ While there’s usually at least one in every town, I don’t know for a fact that there’s even one actual fascist residing in or near the town of Palacios, Texas. This song, like most of my songs, is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of any of my characters to actual persons, living or deceased, is just plain lucky.

“State of the Union” written by James McMurtry, Short Trip Music, BMI, administered by Kobalt Music

James McMurtry — vocal, guitar

Warren Hood — fiddle, low octave fiddle

Gang Choir: Warren Hood, Chris Fullerton, Jenni Finlay, Brian T. Atkinson

Recorded at El Pres Studio, Austin, TX

Engineered by Chris Fullerton, Austin, TX

Mixed/Mastered by Stuart Sullivan, Austin, TX

Rolling Stone premiered, “State of the Union”

James performing the song live at Seattle’s Tractor Tavern:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zhYVyap260

James’ Election Day Song “Remembrance:”
http://www.rollingstone.com/country/news/hear-james-mcmurtrys-election-day-song-remembrance-w449106

Acoustic Guitar Sessions Presents James McMurtry:

New Video “Forgotten Coast:” – official video from COMPLICATED GAME:

James McMurtry “Carlisle’s Haul” (LIVE at Lagunitas)

James McMurtry “You Got to Me” (LIVE at eTown/July 14, 2015

James Mcmurtry is interviews onstage by eTown’s Nick Forster/July 14, 2015

James McMurtry is interviewed on The Working Songwriter/March 25, 2016: