Texas songwriter, James McMurtry is back in town for a show this Friday night at the Tin Angel and will be here at 12noon for an XPN Free At Noon!

Folk rock Americana musician James McMurtry has been accoladed for his expressive lyrics over a 23 year professional career. Each of his songs tells an incredibly rich story that speaks with truth and emotion to his listeners. McMurtry receives less praise for his guitar work, which only stands to show just how influential his lyrics are – the man is phenomenal on the electric guitar.

McMurtry's career got a jump start due to a lucky confluence of circumstances in 1987. First, at a friend's behest, McMurtry entered and ended up winning the New Folk songwriter competition. McMurtry's father is the acclaimed author Larry McMurtry. When John Mellencamp got involved in a project written by McMurtry's father, it gave the artist a chance to get a demo tape in Mellencamp's hands. Mellencamp clearly saw McMurtry's talent from that tape; he co-produced McMurtry's debut album, Too Long in Wasteland.

McMurtry has gone on to release ten more studio albums. The latest is Live Europe, a 2009 release featuring tracks from the artist's first European tour and tremendous live show. McMurtry most successful studio effort is Childish Things, which won the 2006 Americana Music Awards Album of the Year. The song We Can't Make it Here on that album won Song of the Year. McMurtry keeps himself busy. He plays a Wednesday night show whenever he is in Austin at the Continental Club with the Heartless Bastards. McMurtry plays the Tin Angel on Friday night August 3, before heading to Birchmere in Alexandria on August 4, and Rams' Head Tavern on August 5.

Website: jamesmcmurtry.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/JamesMcMurtry
Recent Release: Childish Things
Release Date: 2011
Label: LIGHTNING ROD REC.