New music from Michael Martin Murphey

May 26, 2011 - PRLog -- Rural Rhythm Records is very proud to announce the brand new single, “The Ballad Of Jesse James” by multi-award winning and Bluegrass Grammy® nominated artist, Michael Martin Murphey. The song is from the upcoming album, TALL GRASS & COOL WATER releasing June 28, 2011.

“The Ballad of Jesse James” includes the talents of Michael Martin Murphey (lead vocals / rhythm guitar); Pat Flynn (lead /acoustic guitar); Ryan Murphey (mandolin); Troy Engle (fiddle / banjo); and Mike Bubb (upright bass.)

The song is part of a “James Gang Trilogy” feature on the album along with “The Ballad of Cole Younger,” and “Frank James Farewell.”  This public domain ballad was supposedly written by Billy Gashade, but his identity if a mystery. The song is a parody of “Rally ‘Round the Flag,” a popular Union anthem during the Civil War. Jesse and Frank James grew up on a prairie farm near Kearney, Missouri. They became the most notorious outlaws in American history, and were compared to Robin Hood by Confederate loyalist after the Civil War.

“The Ballad of Jesse James” now available to radio stations via AirplayDirect.com. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements on TALL GRASS & COOL WATER as Murphey and his Buckaroo Blue Grass friends ride again. This new project no doubt continues the important connection between bluegrass music and cowboy music that began with the first BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS album and continued with last year’s Grammy® nominated BUCKAROO BLUE GRASS II album.

For more information on Michael Martin Murphey, please visit his official website at www.michaelmartinmurphey.com  For more information on Rural Rhythm Records, please visit www.ruralrhythm.com