Shotgun Jesus, cover boys and mystic cowboy

Michael Martin Murphey

by Lindsay Nelson

In our busy, outcome-oriented lives, it’s easy to get caught up in the rapid tide of time’s passing and fail to enjoy the moments that make up our years. In the midst of all the to-do lists, the errands, the long days at work and school, the jam-packed weekends full of scheduled activities and household projects, we ought to try and take the time to just be. Drift along without a purpose in mind, ignore the accomplishment machine in our heads and let the joy of being alive wash over us. You know – smell that coal smoke, drink in the blood-smeared roadside, and bask in the soothing roar of traffic and late-season visitors clogging the sidewalks. Ain’t life grand?

‘Tis, and to prove it, there exists this thing called music that makes almost everything in life better – provided it’s the right music. Because the wrong music can really be torture; maybe not as bad as waterboarding, but they do use it to screw with the heads of prisoners and enemy combatants. Like when you go to Linens ’n’ Things in search of a fair deal on bathmats and you are constantly bombarded with the over-loud, excruciatingly annoying worst songs of the ’80s and ’90s. It really takes the fun out of fingering table linens and sniffing candles. But I digress … .

Looking for something nice to put in your ears? Start Friday night at the Billygoat Saloon in Gem Village, where a newly known band will play what promises to be a unique and party-ready set or two. The band is Shotgun Jesus, a self-described “psychedelic pseudo-metal freedombilly funk jam band.” Members Harley Donley, Matt Rupnow, Steve Peterson, “Freedombilly” Bob Brott and Howie are dedicated to the “exploration and expansion of consciousness invoked by transcendental rhythms and melodies.” In other words, they really want to make it on “The Next Great American Band” show! The psyche-metal-funk fun starts around 9 p.m.

Also Friday night is another opportunity to polish up your dancing shoes and grease up your smooth moves. The Jeff Solon Swing’n Big Band performs for the Red Slipper Dance Club event from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Henry Strater Theatre. Dance lessons are available from 8-9, and all dancers are asked to dress above the level of Durango casual for the evening.

Saturday night you have a choice to make, but perhaps your demographic will make it for you. First up, it’s a show from legendary Western musician Michael Martin Murphey at the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College. Unlike many country & western singers of today, Murphey’s songwriting has always been rooted in a deeply felt, natural aesthetic. Though he’s remained a lifetime resident and loyal son of Texas, he’s a man on a mystical, spiritual quest to try and capture the soul of the deserts, plains and mountains across America – from the Carolinas to California, from the Deep South to the Wild North Country. Murphey is “the world’s most prominent musical representative of the Western horseman, the horse rancher, cattle rancher and cowboy. He’s also a lover of the outdoors, with a strong commitment to issues regarding farmers and ranchers, open space and management of natural resources.” Since the early 1960s, Murphey has been making connections and penning songs that have made him and others quite famous. Artists as diverse as Lyle Lovett, John Denver and The Monkees have recorded his songs. When his first record was released in 1972, he was recognized by mainstream popular press as the best new songwriter in the country.

Who will be Durango's next Keith Moon? Drop by the Summit on Saturday night to find out.

According to his bio, “some called his music Progressive Country, some called it Redneck Rock, and some called it Outlaw Music. The fact is, no one could quite figure out exactly what to call it – they were struggling with trying to label a songwriter who could morph from the blues, to country, to pop ballad, rock and roll, bluegrass, western-swing, cowboy music and jazz.” That’s a struggle that continues today. Murphey appears Saturday at the Concert Hall at 7 p.m.

A different crowd will be flocking to the Summit on Saturday night for another edition of the infamous KDUR Cover Night. Each year since its inception, this event has brought local musicians (and wannabes) to the stage of local taverns for a chance to perform the songs of big-name artists whose reputations are bigger than life and whose discography is long and well-known. This year’s band to cover is The Who, and a bunch of local musicians have signed on to perform a few, including Aftergrass, The Lawn Chair Kings, Freeman Social, Hermosa Yacht Club, Pinhead and The Manberries. In my opinion, the biggest question of the night is, who’ll be the best Keith Moon? The homage begins around 9 p.m., and for only $5 you can hear the best (and worst) the one of the greatest bands of the 20^th century.

Support the budding musicians of tomorrow and catch some great performances at Fort Lewis College – the student ensembles are performing next week, often for free, offering a great chance to hear skilled, classically trained musicians do their thing. On Monday, the Jazz Ensemble plays at the Concert Hall, and on Wednesday, it’s the brass and the woodwind ensembles at the Roshong Recital Hall in Sage Hall. Consider it part of your mandate to slow down, enjoy life and try something new.

If you haven’t seen “Into the Wild” yet, do. Also, tomorrow is the opening of “The Darjeeling Limited” at the Abbey. Praise be for quality films to rescue us from a world in which “Bee Movie” and “Saw IV” actually exist and are seen by millions of people for the low, low price of $9. What is this world coming to?

Lindsay_damico@yahoo.com.