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McMurtry lays it out straight

A A A Comments By Jesse Hyde Thursday, Dec 28 2006

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James McMurtry, son of author Larry McMurtry, fronts a band called the Heartless Bastards. He also recently won the 2006 Americana Song of the Year and Album of the Year. Described by author Stephen King as "the truest, fiercest songwriter of his generation," McMurtry is known lately for blasting the Bush administration through song. In "God Bless America," for example, he takes the Bush administration to task for hiding its actual motives to go to war with Iraq. "Gonna turn up the heat till it comes to a boil/So we can go get that Arab oil," McMurtry sings. "We refer to foreign governments that employ all-powerful executive branches as dictatorships, but we're still supposed to think of our own government as democratic," McMurtry has said. "I'm appalled at the spinelessness of Republican legislators." "God Bless America" will appear on McMurtry's as-yet-untitled new album. He and the Heartless Bastards (not to be confused with the other Heartless Bastards playing the Sons in January) take the stage Saturday night at the Sons of Hermann Hall, 3414 Elm St. Tickets are $15. Call 214-747-4422.
Sat., Dec. 30

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