My enjoyment of Michael Martin Murphey's music and singing dates back to 1975 when as a very thin high school student, I went with a friend to hear the Charlie Daniels Band. Charlie Daniels was one of the "outlaws" of the time and presented a blues/rock style with a western flavor. Over time his style morphed into a Country Western Cowboy style that was suitable for dancing and often contained "pushy" almost rock driven music. But at that concert in 1975, a relatively unknown young singer came out and sang some recent hits. That singer was Michael Murphey (no Martin yet). Geronimo's Cadillac, Carolina in the Pines, and Wildfire had just recently been released.
He was terrific, and I later acknowledged that my preferred part of the event was the Michael Murphey portion. I began to follow his career with some interest but not great zeal, after all two or three great songs do not a legend make. Several years later, Michael Murphey added Martin to his name and took his career another direction--Cowboy music. The strange blend of Country/Western, folk, pop, and now Cowboy seemed to be the right eclectic mix for his voice and style. He produced several albums of Cowboy Songs of which the first is probably the most well-known. His large vocal range, natural phrasing, appropriate text inflection, and personal expression all came together in the collection of Cowboy music.
Murphey's connection to the American Indian and his desire to "ride the range" on a horse completed his package. I became a classically trained symphonic musician steeped in the music of Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms, Strauss, and Mahler, but when alone, I sang and still sing folk songs and Cowboy music. Several years ago, it was with great excitement that I did two concerts with Murphey where I played French Horn in the orchestra. He was pleasant, musical, entertaining, and impressive as always.
I need to admit to having some Cowboy roots and as I type these words, I am thinking of my Dad who loved to sing and play guitar. My father's own music is joyous, profound, with a style all his own. Dad was a character. College professor, author, speaker, cowboy, innovator, extrovert, musician, Dad was an unusual articulator of life's joys. With a high regard for the human being, Dad championed the poor, the rich, the educated, the uneducated, the ugly, the pretty, nature, and everything in between. He discussed theology, politics, Beethoven, Steinbeck, movies, rocks, trees, business, and Gene Autry. My father often desired to get on a horse (he always said "harse" for some reason!) and ride off into the sunset singing Happy Trails.
Because we are products of our DNA and amalgamations of our past experiences, I am a trained, classical musician with a love for popular music and a love for music of the people. So it was with excitement that I attended the Michael Martin Murphey concert on Saturday night. The concert was at Hardin-Simmons University and utilized the school orchestra. Although 67 years old, Murphey sang well and reached the mostly older audience. We heard all the favorites plus Streets of Laredo, El Paso, and Tumbling Tumbleweeds. It was a terrific experience and my wife and I enjoyed every minute of the event. But as the concert came to a close and Michael Martin Murphey sang Happy Trails, I felt the tears slide down my face as I remembered my Dad playing guitar and singing. I sure do miss him and I treasure the memories.
Nothing like a little Cowboy music to keep life in perspective. Kind of clears out the stress and reminds us of the joys of the world. Wildfire is still a great song, timeless in style, and mysterious in expression, while Murphey's performance of Streets of Laredo is touching and personal. What's Forever For is also a great song and Tying a Knot in the Devil's Tail is pure fun. All these and more made for a great evening.
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