James McMurtry Live in Chester

James McMurtry brings his storied Americana songcraft to Chester for an intimate evening of storytelling and roots rock. Known for his sharp, narrative lyrics and working-class anthems, McMurtry has been a fixture of the Americana scene since his 1989 debut *Too Long in the Wasteland*, co-produced by John Mellencamp. His songs like "Choctaw Bingo" and "We Can't Make It Here" have earned critical acclaim, with the latter named best song of the 2000s by critic Robert Christgau.

Attendees can expect a setlist drawn from across his career, including tracks from his acclaimed albums *Childish Things*, *Just Us Kids*, and *The Horses and the Hounds*. McMurtry performs with his veteran bandmates Daren Hess, Cornbread, and Tim Holt, delivering the kind of live show that has made him a festival favorite from Kerrville to Vancouver. His father, novelist Larry McMurtry, gave him his first guitar at age seven, and his mother taught him his first chords—a foundation that led to a lifetime of music.

This Chester date offers a rare chance to see a songwriter who has been called "the best lyricist in the business" by Stephen King. The evening promises a deep dive into American roots music, with stories and songs that resonate long after the last note.