Cannery Hall Presents: JAMES MCMURTRY THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2025 THE MIL Doors: 6:00PM Show: 7:30PM Ages 18+ New Album, The Horses and The Hounds, available August 20, 2021. In James McMurtry’s new effort, The Horses and the Hounds, the acclaimed songwriter backs personal narratives with effortless elegance (“Canola Fields”) and endless energy (“If It Don’t Bleed”). This first collection in seven years, due August 20 on New West Records, spotlights a seasoned tunesmith in peak form as he turns toward reflection (“Vaquero”) and revelation ( closer “Blackberry Winter”). Familiar foundations guide the journey. “There’s a definite Los Angeles vibe to this record,” McMurtry says. “The ghost of Warren Zevon seems to be stomping around among the guitar tracks. Don’t know how he got in there. He never signed on for work for hire.” The Horses and the Hounds is a reunion of sorts. McMurtry recorded the new album with legendary producer Ross Hogarth (Ozzy Osbourne, John Fogerty, Van Halen, Keb’ Mo’) at Jackson Browne’s Groovemaster’s in Santa Monica, California, a world class studio that has housed such legends as Bob Dylan (2012’s Tempest) and David Crosby (2016’s Lighthouse) as well as Browne himself for I’m Alive (1993) and New Found Glory, Coming Home (2006). McMurtry and Hogarth first worked together 30 years ago, when Hogarth was a recording engineer in the employ of John Mellencamp at Mellencamp’s own Belmont Studios near Bloomington, Indiana. Hogarth recorded McMurtry’s first two albums, Too Long in the Wasteland and Candyland, for Columbia Records and later mixed McMurtry’s first self-produced album, Saint Mary of the Woods, for Sugar Hill Records. Another veteran of those three releases, guitarist David Grissom (Joe Ely, John Mellencamp, Dixie Chicks), returns with some of his finest work. Accordingly, the new collection marks another upward trajectory: The Horses and the Hounds will be McMurtry’s debut album on genre-defining Americana record label New West Records (Steve Earle, Rodney Crowell, Lucinda Williams, John Hiatt, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Buddy Miller, dozens more). “I first became aware of James McMurtry’s formidable songwriting prowess while working at Bug Music Publishing in the ’90s,” says New West president John Allen. “He’s a true talent. All of us at New West are excited at the prospect of championing the next phase of James’ already successful and respected career.” McMurtry perfectly fits a label housing “artists who perform real music for real people.” After all, No Depression says of the literate songwriter’s most recent collection, Complicated Game: “Lyrically, the album is wise and adventurous, with McMurtry — who’s not prone to autobiographical tales — credibly inhabiting characters from all walks of life.” “[McMurtry] fuses wry, literate observations about the world with the snarl of barroom rock,” National Public Radio says. “The result is at times sardonic, subversive and funny, but often vulnerable and always poignant.” His lauded storytelling — check out songs such as “Operation Never Mind” and “Ft. Walton Wake-Up Call” on The Horse and the Hounds— consistently has turned heads for decades now. “James writes like he’s lived a lifetime,” said John Mellencamp back in 1989, when Too Long in the Wasteland hit the Billboard 200. “James McMurtry is one of my very few favorite songwriters on Earth and these days he’s working at the top of his game,” says Americana all-star Jason Isbell. “He has that rare gift of being able to make a listener laugh out loud at one line and choke up at the next. I don’t think anybody writes better lyrics.” McMurtry’s albums Just Us Kids (2008) and Childish Things (2005) back the claim, each scoring endless critical praise. The former earned McMurtry his highest Billboard 200 chart position in two decades (since eclipsed by Complicated Game) and notched Americana Music Award nominations. Childish Things spent six full weeks topping the Americana Music Radio chart in 2005 and 2006, and won the Americana Music Association’s Album of the Year, with “We Can’t Make It Here” named the organization’s Song of the Year. Other accolades include a 1996 Grammy nomination for Long Form Music Video for Where’d You Hide the Body and an American Indie Award for Best Americana Album for It Had to Happen (1997). McMurtry tours year-round and consistently throws down unparalleled powerhouse performances, reflected in the release of two live discs: the universally lauded Live in Aught-Three on Compadre Records, and 2009’s Live in Europe, which captured the McMurtry band’s first European tour and extraordinary live set. Along with seasoned band members Ronnie Johnson, Daren Hess, and Tim Holt, Live in Europe features special guests Ian McLagan (Faces) and Jon Dee Graham (True Believers, Skunks). (Video of the performance is available on the included DVD.) https://www.jamesmcmurtry.com https://www.facebook.com/JamesMcMurtry https://www.instagram.com/jamesmcmurtryofficial www.canneryhall.com 1 Cannery Row - Nashville, TN - 37203 ADDITIONAL KNOW BEFORE YOU GO’S This ticket cannot be replaced if lost, stolen, or destroyed. This ticket is valid for the event for which it is issued. No exceptions. This ticket is a revocable license which may be withdrawn, and admission refused any time at the sole discretion of the management of Cannery Hall upon refunding the printed purchase price. Inappropriate conduct and resale at a higher price than that printed on the front of the ticket are grounds for seizure or cancellation without refund or compensation. The holder of this ticket agrees they cannot transmit or aid in transmitting a description, account, picture, or reproduction of the event to which this ticket admits them. This ticket may not be used in any way for fundraising, promotion (including contests and sweepstakes) or any commercial, business, or other trade purposes without the express written consent of the Cannery Hall. By presentation of this ticket for admission to Cannery Hall, the person presenting this ticket waives all action or claims against Cannery Hall and the agents, employees, and the subcontractors of all the indemnities for bodily injury or property damage caused by or at the event or by the actions or inactions of Cannery Hall. The holder of this ticket voluntarily assumes all risk danger of personal injury and all other hazards arising from or related in any way to the event for which the ticket is issued, whether occurring prior to, during, or after the event. Breach of any of the foregoing will automatically terminate this license. This holder grants permission to Cannery Hall and its licensees and agents to utilize the holder’s image or likeness incidental to any live or recorded video display or other transmission or reprotection in whole or in part of the event to which this admits the holder. Tickets obtained from sources other than Cannery Hall Box Office or any authorized ticket outlets may be lost or stolen ticket sand in such case will subject the bearer to non-admission or expulsion from the venue. All events subject to date fan time change. No refunds, exchanges, or cancellations. Cannery Hall reserves the right to refuse admittance (with refund of admission) to ticket holders who refuse to allow inspection of their person, or any purse or package carried by them when entering Cannery Hall. No alcohol, drugs, bottles, cans coolers, baby strollers, infant carriers, air horns, fireworks, frisbees, beach balls, video and audio devices, laser pointers, flash cameras, food beverages, weapons or dangerous devices of any type may be brought into Cannery Hall. Patrons found in possession of contraband materials may be subject to expulsion to Cannery Hall and or confiscation of items. Smoking is not permitted. Every person must have a ticket to enter Cannery Hall.