James McMurtry Is Back After Four Long Years—And He’s Got Something to Say
If you’ve been craving that gritty, poetic, no-BS storytelling that only James McMurtry can deliver, the wait is officially over. After a four-year hiatus from the studio, the celebrated Americana artist is making a thunderous return with a brand-new record, The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy, dropping on June 20.
For fans of roots music, singer-songwriter grit, and vivid, cinematic lyrics that hit like a punch to the chest, this is big news. And McMurtry? He’s not here to make a big fuss—he’s just here to do the work. “It happened like all my records happened,” McMurtry said with his trademark straightforwardness. “It’d been too long since I’d had a record that the press could write about and get people to come out to my shows. It was time.”
But let’s rewind a little. Because The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy isn’t just another album. It’s a collection of stories, memories, and observations—rooted in McMurtry’s lifelong reflections on family, fear, and finding your place in a world that won’t stop moving. And it’s steeped in legacy, mystery, and yes, a little bit of weirdness.
A Glimpse Into the Past—With Some Ghosts Along for the Ride
The title track, for example, draws inspiration from the late Larry McMurtry, James’ father and a literary giant in his own right. According to James, the name The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy came from two recurring hallucinations his father experienced toward the end of his life. “Watching the squares go to work in the morning,” the song muses, “the title character observes them boarding commuter buses, jammin’ out that old Weird Al song, and they ain’t got time for us.”
Yes, it’s dark. Yes, it’s strange. But it’s also classic McMurtry—pulling emotional truths out of moments most folks wouldn’t even think to write down.
Even the cover art for the album has a deep, symbolic tie to James’ past. The image? A rough pencil sketch of McMurtry himself, found among his father’s possessions after he passed away in 2021. The kicker? It was drawn by none other than Ken Kesey—author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and former rival of Larry McMurtry at the famed Stanford Creative Writing Program. “I knew it was me,” James said, “but I didn’t realize who drew it.”
Plot twist: After Larry McMurtry’s passing, it was revealed that he had married Kesey’s widow, Norma Faye Haxby Kesey, back in 2011. Wild, right?
Fear, Relevance, and the Spark That Keeps Artists Moving
As cool as all that backstory is, McMurtry isn’t stuck in the past. He’s more concerned with staying relevant—and that means writing, recording, and touring. “A song can come from anywhere, but the main inspiration is fear,” he admitted. “Specifically fear of irrelevance. If you don’t have songs, you don’t have a record. If you don’t have a record, you don’t have a tour. You gotta keep putting out work.”
That hustle and hunger are present throughout the album. Whether he’s reflecting on modern life, lost love, or American disillusionment, there’s always urgency in his delivery. The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy isn’t just music—it’s a statement of persistence in a business that constantly asks, What have you done for me lately?
A Dream Team of Collaborators
Produced by Don Dixon (yep, the same Don Dixon behind R.E.M.’s Murmur and Reckoning, plus The Smithereens’ Especially for You), this album brings a refreshing edge to McMurtry’s rugged style.
Musicians like guitarist Charlie Sexton and Grammy-winning singer Sarah Jarosz also lend their talents to the project, adding texture and emotional depth to the already powerful material. Jarosz, in particular, contributes haunting harmonies and banjo on the track “Annie,” which revisits the aching aftermath of 9/11 through the lens of personal loss.
If that song doesn’t leave a mark, check your pulse.
A Tip of the Hat to His Heroes
McMurtry also takes time to honor those who came before him. One highlight of the album is his cover of Kris Kristofferson’s “Broken Freedom Song,” which is more than just a tribute—it’s a full-circle moment.
“Kris was one of my major influences as a child,” McMurtry shared. “He was the first person that I recognized as a songwriter. I hadn’t really thought about where songs come from, but I started listening to Kristofferson as a songwriter and thinking, ‘How do you do this?’”
If you’ve ever been inspired by someone and later got the chance to walk in their footsteps, you’ll get exactly why this song hits home for McMurtry.
Songs That Tell Stories You Can’t Shake Off
The tracklist itself is a blend of sharp, gritty storytelling and emotional landscapes that only McMurtry could map out:
The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy – Tracklist:
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Laredo (Small Dark Something)
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South Texas Lawman
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The Color of Night
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Pinocchio in Vegas
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Annie
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The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy
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Back to Coeur d’Alene
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Sons of the Second Sons
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Sailing Away
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Broken Freedom Song
Each song feels like a short film. There’s “Pinocchio in Vegas,” which sounds just as wild as you’d expect. Then there’s “Back to Coeur d’Alene,” full of longing and regret. And “Sailing Away”? That one’s for anyone who’s ever stood backstage, wondering if they still belong in the game.
“I won’t forget that chorus like I did the night before,” he sings, recalling a moment opening for Jason Isbell. “When I was trying to remember did I lock the front door / And have I any business being in this business anymore.”
Catch Him on Tour
To celebrate the release, McMurtry’s hitting the road this summer, bringing these new songs—and likely some old favorites—to fans across the country. For longtime listeners, it’s a chance to reconnect with one of the most authentic voices in American music. For newcomers, it’s the perfect time to discover why McMurtry is revered as one of the greatest songwriters of his generation.
Final Thoughts: Why This Album Matters
The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy isn’t flashy. It’s not trying to chase trends or climb charts. It’s raw, honest, and unfiltered—the kind of album you sit with. The kind that makes you think. The kind that hits different when you’re driving alone at night.
McMurtry may have taken a few years off from recording, but with this release, he proves that he hasn’t missed a beat. This record is a reminder that stories still matter. That truth still matters. And that sometimes, the best music isn’t the loudest—it’s the most real.
So mark your calendars for June 20. Because James McMurtry’s back—and he’s got a hell of a story to tell.
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