James McMurtry, the wildly popular singer-songwriter. He’s currently putting the finishing touches on his brand new album The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy. We’re releasing this album on June 20th. It’s his second collection after The Horses and the Hounds, released in 2021. New West Records will handle release of the album.
The impetus for The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy comes from a very personal place in McMurtry’s life. It’s an album as much in conversation with the passing of his dad, as the title track makes clear in speaking straight to this death. McMurtry explained what he was getting at with the album’s title, an emphatic “no.” As he explained, “The album title and that song was inspired by my stepmother, Faye.
Co-produced by McMurtry and Don Dixon, this album is a tremendous creative partnership, involving the combined talents of some of America’s finest. Just a few of those artists are Sarah Jarosz, Charlie Sexton, Bonnie Whitmore, Bukka Allen, Betty Soo, Cornbread, Tim Holt and Darren Hess. With each artist contributing their unique gifts, combined with skilled production and instrumentation, the album is a beautiful sonic and emotional masterpiece.
In “The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy,” McMurtry celebrates his father’s life. He goes in an impressive and beautiful way to explore themes of loss, reflection and what it truly means to exist as a human being. An impressive cadre of experienced artists is working to make this project a reality. This skilled combination is sure to resonate with lifelong fans and welcome a whole new generation of listeners.