James McMurtry returning to Iowa City

James McMurtry continues to tour behind “The Horse and The Hounds,” which turns 2 in August. The venerable singer/songwriter isn’t in a rush to work on a new album.

“The only reason I put out records is so that you guys can write about it so people see your story and show up at the venue,” McMurtry, 61, said while calling from his Lockhart, Texas, home. “There was a time when people actually went out and bought records, but those days are over. So now I put out records to advertise my tour. That’s the harsh reality.”

He’s returning to Iowa City’s Wildwood Smokehouse & Saloon for a sold-out show Wednesday, June 14, 2023.

It’s a shame he isn’t writing more songs, since he has a gift for painting a vivid picture with words. McMurtry, much like his novelist father, Larry McMurtry, doesn't write about himself. His fictitious stories are often drawn from those around him.

“If I wrote about myself it would bore me,” he explained. “I don't think my life is that interesting, but I can write about other things and people.”

Fortunately, other folk’ lives inspire McMurtry, who at times looks like he has little interest in what’s happening. But that’s not so — McMurtry is a keen observer.

His latest collection of wry and poignant tales is worth experiencing. The moving “Blackberry Winter” was inspired by a cold summer day, whereas “If It Don’t Bleed” is a witty gut punch.

“I wrote that one in 2019, and it was inspired by my cousin, who was badly addicted to cocaine,” McMurtry said. “He survived it. He would tell me, ‘Quit (complaining). If it don't bleed, it don’t matter.’ I realized there was a song there.”

“Jackie” speaks to a different kind of addiction, and is yet another song McMurtry has written about women and horses.

“ ‘Jackie is a composite of what I’ve seen,” he said. “I’ve known a lot of women addicted to horses.”

Outwardly, McMurtry may seem disinterested, but that's just his image. If he failed to care, he wouldn’t have crafted 10 albums during his more than 30-year career.

“It’s not that I don’t enjoy what I do,” he said, “but the business has changed. I’m still out there making music and going on the road. That’s my job. It’s just that things are different — but things change over time with everything.”

Much has changed since McMurtry impressed with his debut, 1989’s “Too Long in the Wasteland.” His talent was obvious a generation ago, with his initial batch of songs that are poignant and at times wry. McMurtry turned ears with his melodies and his ability to say much in just a few words.

John Mellencamp, who produced “Too Long in the Wasteland,” was riveted by McMurtry’s talent. McMurtry met the heartland rocker courtesy of his father.

“Mellencamp hired (Larry McMurtry) to write a screenplay (“Falling from Grace”) and I had a demo tape I was pitching. I asked Larry to give the demo tape to Mellencamp. I was hoping that he might like one of the songs and record one of them. Instead, he called me and he asked me if I wanted to make a record. I wasn’t ready to make a record at that time in my life, but I didn’t know when I would ever have such an opportunity again, so I went for it.”

McMurtry gained confidence after fans and critics embraced his songs. He continued to write in a manner reflecting his songwriting heroes: Kris Kristofferson, John Prine and Warren Zevon.

“Kris Kristofferson was a Rhodes scholar who was trained in verse. He knew how to drop those syllables perfectly in the pocket,” McMurtry said. “I’m not Kris Kristofferson, but I do my best telling my stories.”