In this episode of Americana Podcast: The 51st State, host Robert Earl Keen sits down with one of the most quietly influential voices in American songwriting: James McMurtry.

For decades, McMurtry has carved out a singular space where songs are more than melodies. His writing is built on gritty character studies, moral landscapes, and moments of hard-won clarity—stories that feel lived in, observed, and unafraid to sit with complexity. From the early days of his debut album Too Long in the Wasteland to the lived-in wisdom of his most recent work, his catalog reads like a map of roads traveled and lives encountered along the way.

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, McMurtry spent much of his youth in Northern Virginia before finding his footing as a songwriter in Tucson, Arizona, studying English and Spanish while cutting his teeth in small rooms and local venues. After time spent traveling—including a period living in Alaska—he returned to Texas, working odd jobs, playing bars and open mics, and gradually forging a life as a working songwriter. For much of his adult life, he’s been based in Lockhart, just south of Austin, though his music has carried far beyond those borders.

In this conversation, Robert and James reflect on the long arc of a songwriting life—from early guitar lessons and teenage gigs to his first record, Too Long in the Wasteland, and through to his latest album, The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy. Along the way, they talk about craft, observation, patience, and what it means to tell the truth in song without flinching.

It’s an intimate, thoughtful look at an artist whose work doesn’t chase trends or spotlight—but endures, quietly and honestly, exactly where it belongs.

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Today’s episode is a rerun, and we bring it to you with a heaviness that is hard to put into words. When we learned of Todd’s passing on November 14th, it felt as if something vibrant had suddenly drained from the world, as if a familiar warm light we’d always counted on had quietly dissipated into the ether, leaving us in a cold sadness which we may never shake. Revisiting this conversation now feels like reaching for that light we all miss.

Todd had a way of making the world feel a little lighter, a lot funnier, and all the more honest. His storytelling did more than briefly fill you car stereo, living room, and favorite live music haunts. It stayed with you long after the music faded, carrying the kind of truth and humor that only he could bring, singing through a one of a kind crooked smile. His voice, his wit, and his beautifully kooky way of seeing things continue to travel with us in the songs, the stories, and the moments he gave so freely.

As we return to this episode, we do so with gratitude for the spirit Todd Snider shared so openly. Listening back is a way of holding onto the warmth, the wonder, and the wild sincerity he carried into every conversation. He may no longer be with us, but his sound will remain forever.

We share this rerun to honor Todd and the lasting imprint of his voice, a memory that continues to glow even in the spaces he no longer fills. We hope you enjoy this show as much as we did, and remember your love for Todd Snider as we do.

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In part two of Americana Podcast: The 51st State, host Robert Earl Keen continues his conversation with Terry and Jo Harvey Allen—two legendary Texas-born artists whose creativity has spanned generations, mediums, and continents.

From a childhood friendship in Lubbock to a coin toss that took them west, Terry and Jo Harvey’s story unfolds like a piece of living Americana—filled with grit, luck, and a touch of magic. This episode picks up with their adventures from Los Angeles to Berkeley to Santa Fe, from early radio beginnings to global artistic recognition, including their most recent roles in Killers of the Flower Moon.

Together, Robert, Terry, and Jo Harvey revisit a half-century of partnership rooted in art, poetry, and the pursuit of truth—a love story told through every canvas, song, and stage.

Listen to the full episode on all streaming platforms or at Americanapodcast.com.

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