Michael Martin Murphey is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter known for his influential contributions to progressive country and Western music, with a career spanning over 50 years and multiple gold albums. After co-writing ‘What Am I Doing Hangin’ Round’ for The Monkees’ multi-million selling album Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd. in 1967, Michael Martin Murphey went on to establish himself as a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and an influential figure in progressive country and Western music. Early in his career, his compositions were recorded by artists such as Flatt and Scruggs and Bobbie Gentry, with Kenny Rogers and the First Edition dedicating their entire album The Ballad of Calico to his songs.

His 2013 album, Red River Drifter, reached number three on the Billboard Top Bluegrass Albums chart. Beyond his musical accomplishments, Murphey authored ‘The Land of Enchantment,’ which was designated as New Mexico’s state ballad in 1989. He has consistently used his platform to advocate for the preservation of Western wilderness and culture, championing causes such as Native American rights and private property rights for farmers and ranchers. His lasting impact has been recognized with significant industry accolades, including the Wrangler Award induction into the Cowboy Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Awards in 2019, and an induction into the Texas Trail of Fame in Fort Worth in 2021.