James McMurtry’s music speaks for itself. It’s gritty, lyrics-based Americana, and it’s earned him praise from a wide variety

of folks, including novelist

Stephen King, who says that

McMurtry “may be the truest,

fiercest songwriter of his

generation.” As for the performer

himself, words from

McMurtry, who calls Austin,

Texas, home, were in short

supply during a recent phone

conversation.

This much is true:

McMurtry has been

performing for decades, after

receiving his first guitar from

his mother.

His first album “Too Long

In The Wasteland,” was

produced by John Mellencamp

after the classic rock star

was given one of McMurtry’s

demo tapes.

Over the years, McMurtry,

son of famed Western novelist

Larry McMurtry, has earned a

reputation for his lyrics-first,

no-nonsense approach. One of

his songs, “We Can’t Make It

Here,” has earned praise as a

protest song.

McMurtry declined to label

himself as a protest singer,

however.

Instead, McMurtry says by

phone before a gig in Chicago,

he’d rather just be known for

“making good music.” The veteran performer takes

on about 150 or 200 dates

a year. In mid-October, he

performed in Fayetteville, and

on Saturday, he returns to the

area for a show at UAFS at

Second Street in Fort Smith.

“We kind of ran out of

places to play,” he says.

McMurtry has several

songs in the works that will

eventually become the follow

up to his previous studio

recording, the acclaimed 2008album “Just Us Kids.”

The songs are as loosely structured as his demeanor and stage show. What he feels like goes.

“I just write what comes to mind. If I try to make my point, the song kind of fights me,” he says.

McMurtry’s performance in Fort Smith will be the first of what organizers hope will become a six- or seven-show season at Second Street Live.

Whats Up, Pages 16 on 11/16/2012