James McMurtry
James McMurtry (born March 18, 1962, in Fort Worth, Texas) is an American rock and folk rock/americana singer, songwriter, guitarist, bandleader, and occasional actor (Daisy Miller, Lonesome Dove, and narrator of Ghost Town: 24 Hours in Terlingua). He performs with veteran bandmates Daren Hess, Cornbread and Tim Holt.
His father, novelist Larry McMurtry, gave him his first guitar at age seven. His mother, an English professor, taught him how to play it: "My mother taught me three chords and the rest I just stole as I went along. I learned everything by ear or by watching people."
from this album in RP library
length: 3:32
albums by James McMurtry
listen:
The Main Mix
Back before the central air
We'd sit outside and watch the stars at night
She'd tell me to make a wish
I'd wish we both could fly
Don't think she's seen the sky
Since we got the satellite dish
I get why some folks don't dig Mr. McMurtry, his style isn't everyone's cuppa. But his songwriting is superb.
c.
As a rule, I'm not a fan of singer-songwriter types. I think he is amazing.
Well rules are made to be broken, especially silly ones like this.
RP is my favorite class in the school of Life, each day learning of strong artists and wonderful fellow listeners, cheers all!
"I read in an interview that James said the song is really about the town of Floydada, Texas, but Floydada didn't fit the meter, so it became Levelland."
Years ago, in the late 1960s, driving through that part of the country (I wouldn't live there if they paid me, indeed) we passed a highway sign for Floydada, Texas. The speculation was that the name was a hybrid of Floyd and Ada. This is the first reference I have seen to that name in more than 40 years. James McMurtry surely seems to elicit some pretty negative reactions from those to the rightward side of the political spectrum in this forum, as well as those who fail to see that a description is not necessarily a prescription. I find his observations to be spot on.
Choctaw Bingo was the song that turned me on to JM, here on RP. Love that song. It's a great story, but I agree the tune is a little monotonous. First time I've heard this song. Like it already.
Back before the central air
We'd sit outside and watch the stars at night
She'd tell me to make a wish
I'd wish we both could fly
Don't think she's seen the sky
Since we got the satellite dish
Good music. Real music. Music stories tell about Life. ALl kinds of life
I think you'll find the name is spelled Cockburn.
c.
Maybe I want to be off and running?