James McMurtry

About

James McMurtry (born 1962, Fort Worth, Texas) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist whose literary Americana has earned him comparisons to John Prine and Guy Clark. Son of novelist Larry McMurtry, he debuted in 1989 with Too Long in the Wasteland, produced by John Mellencamp, and built his reputation on sharply drawn character studies and unflinching social commentary. His 2005 album Childish Things - anchored by the working-class anthem 'We Can't Make It Here' - won both Album and Song of the Year at the Americana Music Awards, and critics from Rolling Stone to Robert Christgau have called him one of the finest songwriters of his generation.

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#1

Americana Radio Chart peak (Childish Things, 2005-2006, 6 weeks)

103

Live concerts performed in 2025

What's new

2025-06
McMurtry released his eleventh studio album, The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy, on June 20, 2025 via New West Records, to widespread critical acclaim.
2025-06
The album's title track was inspired by hallucinations his father Larry McMurtry experienced during dementia before his death.
2025-06
McMurtry announced a new band name - James McMurtry and the Martial Law Review - alongside the album release.
2026-06
McMurtry is currently on a 2026 North American tour running from May through October, covering 29 cities.
2025-06
Childish Things (2005) spent six weeks at number one on the Americana Music Radio chart and won the Americana Music Association's Album and Song of the Year awards.

Tour

CincinnatiCharlestonElktonBrattleboroTroyHomerClevelandColorado SpringsPhoenixWest HollywoodMorro BaySanta CruzSan FranciscoPortlandSalt Lake CityEvanston

Tracks

We Can't Make It HereWorking-class protest anthem from Childish Things (2005); Americana Music Award Song of the Year; ranked best song of the 2000s by critic Robert Christgau

Choctaw BingoCult classic from St. Mary of the Woods (2002); one of his most-performed live songs

Canola FieldsLead single from The Horses and the Hounds (2021); nominated for Americana Music Award Song of the Year

Copper CanteenFan favourite opener from Complicated Game (2015); a live staple

The Black Dog and the Wandering BoyTitle track of his 2025 album; inspired by his father Larry McMurtry's dementia hallucinations