theGOspot

We are proud to announce The 7th Annual Lonestar Cowboy Christmas Concert with Michael Martin Murphey

Featuring The Longview Symphony under the direction of Howard Hudiburg, Symphony Director for Texas State University

Talk about a Christmas setting! With 45+ people on stage performing, this night promises to be a seasonal delight.

For more information: Visit heartlightministries.org

In March 2009, Murphey was honored along with Willie Nelson, Guy Cark and Allen Shamblin by The Texas Heritage Songwriters’ Association at the Fifth Annual Homecoming Concert held in Austin, Texas. In April 2009, Murphey serves as Host of the 7th Annual Texas Music Awards.

Native Texan Michael Martin Murphey is now in the Western Music Hall of Fame. He’s won numerous awards and honors from such organizations as the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, Academy of Country Music, "The Golden Smokey Award for Outstanding Service in Conservation from the U.S. Department of the Interior, The Grammy Awards, Country Music Association Awards, "The King of the Cowboys" Award for Western Entertainment, The Academy of Western Artists and Performers, Texas Music Awards, Charlie Russell Red Sash Award for Western Heritage, National Day of the Cowboy Keeper Award, and given a rare Lifetime Honorary Member of the American Quarter Horse Association. BMI has confirmed that his song "Wildfire" is one of the most played songs in the history of radio,in all formats.

Michael has made over 35 albums, with hits and millions of sales (click here for Michael’s CDs/DVDs). He’s the first Singing Cowboy to attain a Certified Gold Album in Cowboy Music since Marty Robbins. His songs have been recorded by Lyle Lovett, Kenny Rogers, John Denver, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jerry Jeff Walker, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, and a host of other recording artists. He’s played concerts at the best of Performing Arts Centers (including Carnegie Hall and Bass Hall), Cowboy Christmas™ and Westfest™, festivals, fairs and rodeos - and on his trail rides(www.gunselhorseadventures.com).

He’s performed with 50 + symphony orchestras, including the National Symphony Orchestra. Michael’s a movie actor, script writer, and performed music in films like "Lonesome Dove" and "Hard Country". His television appearances and music scores include PBS/ RFD-TV hit series "America’s Heartland" (www.americasheartland.com); "The Tonight Show"; "David Letterman"; "Austin City Limits"; "CMT"; "TNN". He hosts a highly-rated outdoors television show, "The Best of the West with Michael Martin Murphey" (www.thebestofthewest.net). He’s a respected writer and spokesman in publications such as "American Cowboy", and "Range Magazine". He’s been featured in countless newspaper, magazine and books, including "Rolling Stone","Time", " London Times", "New York Times", "Los Angeles Times", "Chicago Tribune" and "Denver Post"."

MMM’s lifestyle is that of a lover of the outdoors (check out www.murphsranchmarket.com) - a rancher of horses (winners in Working Cow Horse and Reining events) and cattle ( "Best Young Texas Longhorn Bull, TLBAA") for his "Rocking 3M Ranching Co."( www.rocking3mranch.com) and "American Prairie Partners (www.americanprairiepartners.com) having operated in New Mexico, Colorado, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. His accomplishments as rancher have lead to being chosen as a spokesman and entertainer for The American Farm Bureau Federation and Society of Range Management. The John Wayne Family approved him to organize and perform for the John Wayne 100th Birthday Celebration in 2007, commended by the White House.

Michael, his wife Karen and six children are all involved in the family businesses of music, ranching and recreational/competitive horseback riding. The Murphey family divides personal family time between residences in New Mexico and Wisconsin, and land on a private fishing lake in Linden, Texas, near where the Murphey pioneer family came to Texas in 1858. (courtesy of http://www.michaelmartinmurpheymusic.com)