James McMurtry with special guest Betty Soo
Saturday, November 14, 2026 · 8:00 PM
· The 04 Center
About
"THE WANDERING BOY NEVER FLINCHES - James McMurtry’s 11th LP is a solid smorgasbord of aging, Americana, and arrested development” "Local critic asks another: 'How’s the McMurtry?' Answer: cut-above songs and then the clutch killers.” ...The Austin Chronicle/Raoul Hernandez • October 31st, 2025 https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/record-reviews/the-wandering-boy-never-flinches/ James McMurtry released The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy on June 20th via New West Records. The 10-song collection was co-produced by McMurtry & Don Dixon (R.E.M., The Smithereens) and is his first album in four years. It follows his 2021 acclaimed new West debut, The Horses and the Hounds, which UnCut Magazine said “lifts storytelling-in-song to meticulous new levels" and Pitchfork awarded an 8.0, saying “James McMurtry stands out even among the Lone Star State’s finest songwriters…” The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy features appearances by Sarah Jarosz, Charlie Sexton, Bonnie Whitmore, Bukka Allen and more, alongside his trusted backing band, THE MARTIAL LAW REVIEW, Tim Holt on guitar and accordion, Cornbread on bass and Daren Hess on drums. As varied as they are, McMurtry’s new story-songs find inspiration in scraps from his family’s past: a rough pencil sketch by Ken Kesey that serves as the album cover, the hallucinations experienced by his father, the legendary writer Larry McMurtry, an old poem by a family friend. A supremely insightful and inventive storyteller, McMurtry teases vivid worlds out of small details, setting them to arrangements that have elements of Americana but sound too sly and smart for such a general category. Funny and sad often in the same breath, The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy adds a new chapter to a long career that has young songwriters like Sarah Jarosz and Jason Isbell cite him as a formative influence.
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Thu, Nov 5 · 8:00 – 10:00 PM
Shake Russell & Dana Cooper (Night One)
The 04 Center
Shake Russell/Dana Cooper Band - In the late 70's, Shake Russell formed a band in Houston and was joined by hometown friend & fellow Songwriter/Musician Dana Cooper . Based in Houston, the duo enjoyed immense success and was given extensive airplay on local radio stations. Many of the melodies on "Songs On The Radio" album were recorded at Houston's KLOL. For over a decade, The Shake Russell/Dana Cooper band garnered a large following in Texas as well as appearing on "Austin City Limits". Although their respective careers have since diverged to different regions of the country, each of them has continued to nurture their talent and maintain a successful, creative music career. Dana Cooper - In the 1970's, Cooper landed a record deal with Elektra Records and released his acclaimed self-tiled debut album in 1972. Backed by renowned LA studio musicians "The Section", including Leeland Sklar & Russ Kunkel, the album showcased Cooper's lyrical depth & virtuoso guitar playing. Through the 80's & 90's, he built his reputation on the club circuit while also collaborating with artists like Lyle Lovett, Kim Carnes, Susan Werner, Kim Richey, Hal Ketchum & more. Central to Cooper's unique artistry is his ability to connect with audiences through his authentic stories and warm stage presence. Over his 50+ year career, Cooper has amassed a catalog of over 30 albums and continues to tour actively. His latest Release "The Ghost of Tucumcari" has garnered much critical acclaim and was voted #1 Album of 2024 on "Americana Highways" Readers Poll. Several established artists lent their voices to this album, including Lyle Lovett, Hayes Carll, Susan Gibson, Shake Russell, Darden Smith, Mando Saenz & Libby Koch. "Few artists can claim to make music for 50 years and still do so with the same eagerness and enthusiasm that marked their initial efforts." Lee Zimmerman, American Songwriter "Dana has a poet's eye for beauty and detail, a blues man's soul & a songbird's gift. He is remarkable." Hayes Carll - Songwriter/Musician Shake Russell - For more than 50 years, Texas singer-songwriter Shake Russell, has been entertaining audiences throughout the region and all over the United States with his unique Americana style of folk rock. Weaving sophisticated harmonies through his songs and drawing from various genres, Shake created a style of folk-rock that is uniquely his own. Shake has released 30+ albums in his career and more to come. Shake’s recent releases, “Chasing the Song” & "Gold To Me", showcase a delightful array of original compositions that beautifully show the extraordinary talents of this singer-songwriter. To fully appreciate and comprehend the magnitude of Shake’s contributions to music, one need only listen to his life’s work. From his 1978 album “Songs on the Radio” to his latest “Gold To Me”, Shake’s music is a testament to the reasons why he is so widely celebrated as a Texas Music Legend! "Shake Russell, like Mark Twain or Guy Clark, has the gift of making us think and feel deeply at the same time. He's a prolific pioneer and a true American Treasure." Chad Watson - Songwriter/Musician "Shake's music walks right up to you, says howdy, and gives you a big hug. Nobody writes a better love song." Bruce Bryant - Ghost Ranch Films
Fri, Nov 6 · 8:00 – 10:00 PM
Shake Russell & Dana Cooper
The 04 Center
Shake Russell/Dana Cooper Band - In the late 70's, Shake Russell formed a band in Houston and was joined by hometown friend & fellow Songwriter/Musician Dana Cooper . Based in Houston, the duo enjoyed immense success and was given extensive airplay on local radio stations. Many of the melodies on "Songs On The Radio" album were recorded at Houston's KLOL. For over a decade, The Shake Russell/Dana Cooper band garnered a large following in Texas as well as appearing on "Austin City Limits". Although their respective careers have since diverged to different regions of the country, each of them has continued to nurture their talent and maintain a successful, creative music career. Dana Cooper - In the 1970's, Cooper landed a record deal with Elektra Records and released his acclaimed self-tiled debut album in 1972. Backed by renowned LA studio musicians "The Section", including Leeland Sklar & Russ Kunkel, the album showcased Cooper's lyrical depth & virtuoso guitar playing. Through the 80's & 90's, he built his reputation on the club circuit while also collaborating with artists like Lyle Lovett, Kim Carnes, Susan Werner, Kim Richey, Hal Ketchum & more. Central to Cooper's unique artistry is his ability to connect with audiences through his authentic stories and warm stage presence. Over his 50+ year career, Cooper has amassed a catalog of over 30 albums and continues to tour actively. His latest Release "The Ghost of Tucumcari" has garnered much critical acclaim and was voted #1 Album of 2024 on "Americana Highways" Readers Poll. Several established artists lent their voices to this album, including Lyle Lovett, Hayes Carll, Susan Gibson, Shake Russell, Darden Smith, Mando Saenz & Libby Koch. "Few artists can claim to make music for 50 years and still do so with the same eagerness and enthusiasm that marked their initial efforts." Lee Zimmerman, American Songwriter "Dana has a poet's eye for beauty and detail, a blues man's soul & a songbird's gift. He is remarkable." Hayes Carll - Songwriter/Musician Shake Russell - For more than 50 years, Texas singer-songwriter Shake Russell, has been entertaining audiences throughout the region and all over the United States with his unique Americana style of folk rock. Weaving sophisticated harmonies through his songs and drawing from various genres, Shake created a style of folk-rock that is uniquely his own. Shake has released 30+ albums in his career and more to come. Shake's recent releases, “Chasing the Song” & "Gold To Me", showcase a delightful array of original compositions that beautifully show the extraordinary talents of this singer-songwriter. To fully appreciate and comprehend the magnitude of Shake's contributions to music, one need only listen to his life's work. From his 1978 album “Songs on the Radio” to his latest “Gold To Me”, Shake's music is a testament to the reasons why he is so widely celebrated as a Texas Music Legend! "Shake Russell, like Mark Twain or Guy Clark, has the gift of making us think and feel deeply at the same time. He's a prolific pioneer and a true American Treasure." Chad Watson - Songwriter/Musician "Shake's music walks right up to you, says howdy, and gives you a big hug. Nobody writes a better love song." Bruce Bryant - Ghost Ranch Films
Sat, Nov 7 · 8:00 – 10:00 PM
Paula Cole // THIS FIRE: 30
The 04 Center
Paula Cole returns to the stage with THIS FIRE: 30 —a special anniversary tour celebrating three decades of This Fire, her landmark album that cemented Cole as one of the most distinctive voices of the 1990s. A Grammy-winning singer-songwriter known for her fearless writing and genre-blending sound, Cole broke boundaries with songs that were both deeply personal and universally resonant. On THIS FIRE: 30 , Paula will perform This Fire in its entirety—revisiting the era-defining music that sparked a generation and bringing new life, nuance, and power to the songs fans have carried with them for decades. Expect an intimate, emotionally charged performance that honors the original spirit of the album while showcasing the artistry and perspective she's continued to evolve. Spanning 50+ markets across the US, the UK, and Europe, THIS FIRE: 30 marks a major touring moment for Paula Cole—one of her most far-reaching runs in years—celebrating a classic album and the enduring connection it created with listeners around the world.