This week, the “Classic Country Concert Series” continues at The Grand Magnolia Ballroom in Pascagoula.
Michel Martin Murphey will be making his first appearance on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 26 years Sunday, Oct. 23rd as part of the series, which is presented by Roy’s Bar. “An acoustic evening with the legendary Michael Martin Murphey” begins at 7 p.m., and tickets are still on sale at www.grandmagmusic.com or at Scranton’s Restaurant in Pascagoula.
It marks his first time down south since a 1996 show at the Boomtown Casino in Biloxi.
Rolling Stone Magazine once called the multiple Grammy Award Nominee Murphey “One of the best songwriters in the country”, and country superstar Garth Brooks said of Murphey, “One of the three main influences on my career”
Murphey’s musical journey has taken many unpredictable paths over the past five decades, as he has topped the pop, country and bluegrass charts. He is best known for his chart-topping hits “Wildfire,” “Carolina In The Pines,” “What’s Forever For,” “Long Line of Love,” “Cherokee Fiddle” and “Backsliders Wine” among many others across his 35 albums released to date. He’s also charted more than 30 songs on the Billboard charts and has six gold albums.
“All during my career, young women have come up to me and said, ‘I love my horse, and I named him “Wildfire,” and I cry every time I hear that song,’” Murphey said in a recent interview. “I think it’s kept this song alive. It’s not really a love story; it’s not about a breakup between lovers. It’s something more than that — it’s something mystical that I can’t explain.”
Murphey is also the author of New Mexico’s state ballad, “The Land of Enchantment”. He has become a prominent musical voice for the Western horseman, rancher, and cowboy.
“I wanted to tackle every kind of music I could, cross-breeding different styles. As to the lyrics, it’s up to you to read into it,” Murphey said. ““I’ve never stopped touring. I’ll always be on tour and be writing music.”
Murphey will be the fourth member of the prestigious Texas Heritage Songwriters Association Hall of Fame to perform at The Grand Magnolia in the past three years, along with Rodney Crowell, J.D. Souther, and Lee Roy Parnell.
Parnell, in fact, just kicked off the “Classic Country Concert Series” with a show at The Grand Mag in late September.
The series will continue with three-time Grammy Award nominee Deana Carter, who is currently celebrating the 25th anniversary of her breakthrough debut album “Did I shave my legs for this”. She is bringing her songs to The Grand Magnolia in Pascagoula for the first time ever.
Carter will play The Grand Magnolia Ballroom on Friday, Oct. 28th. Show time is 7:30 p.m. This show is completely sold out.
Her initial album, of course, is anchored by the dreamy super hit ”Strawberry Wine”, which was named “Single of the Year” by The Country Music Association. The song also garnered nominations for “Song of the Year’, “Video of the year” and “Female Vocalist of the Year”.
Overall, Carter’s albums have accounted for 14 singles, including three which reached Number One on the Billboard country charts. In addition to “Strawberry Wine”, “We danced anyway” and “How Do I get there” also topped the charts. “Did I Shave my Legs for this” and “Count Me In” are also among Carter’s most popular songs as well.
She also co-wrote “You and Tequila”, which became a big hit for Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter. That song was nominated as The Country Music Association’s “Song of the Year”, as well as two Grammy nods, including the coveted “Song of the Year”. It also received a nomination as The Academy of Country Music Association’s “Song of the Year”.
The appearance by Parnell, Murphey and Carter at The Grand Magnolia continues the venue’s tradition of bringing top artists of the Classic Country genre to South Mississippi. In the past year or so, John Conlee, Rodney Crowell, The Bellamy Brothers, Rodney Crowell and Paul Overstreet have all played the Grand Magnolia. Also, Coral Reefer Band leader Mac McAnally and Tony Haselden of LeRoux, both of which have penned many classic country hits, have played solo at The Grand Magnolia. Over 30 artists have stood on stage at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry and also played at The Grand Magnolia over the past five years.
Grand Magnolia Music is sponsored by Roy’s Bar in Pascagoula, Liquors Unlimited in Pascagoula, Burnham Drugs in Moss Point and Riverside Dental in Moss Point as well as Linda Walsh of Coldwell Banker Alfonso Realty and Dustin Thomas for “Elect Dustin Thomas County Prosecutor” along with The Grand Magnolia Ballroom and Suites, Scranton’s Restaurant and Catering, The Beau Rivage Casino and Resort, Cathead Vodka and Lagniappe Weekly in Mobile.
A portion of every ticket sold to every show benefits The Animal Transfer Project for Dixie Adoptables Animal Rescue.
