Today it’s called Americana music but its origins are disputed. Some say it started as “Outlaw Country,” led by Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings leaving Nashville for a more welcoming environment found in Austin.
Others believe it started as “Progressive Country,” emerging in the early 1970s as a unique blend of country, folk, rock, and psychedelic influences. The movement was deeply rooted in the cultural and social changes of the time, challenging traditional Nashville norms and emphasizing authenticity, storytelling, and a more laidback, countercultural ethos. The genre was closely associated with artists like Jerry Jeff Walker, Michael Martin Murphey, Gary P. Nunn and Ray Wylie Hubbard, who shaped its sound and philosophy.
One eyewitness to its origins is musician Bob Livingston who claims it began in Red River, New Mexico and he likes to call the music ‘Cosmic Cowboy.’
”I was from Lubbock. I went to Texas Tech. When the Vietnam War was going on everybody was trying to get student deferments. In 1969 they started the draft lottery. I got number 309 and it meant that I would never be drafted. I went to Red River, New Mexico and I hear about this band playing down the street called Three Faces West.”
It’s Rick Fowler, Wayne Kidd and this witty rascal named Ray Hubbard. He wasn’t ‘Wiley’ yet, just plain old Ray Hubbard. They looked cool. They wore leather pants and leather cuffs, had rakishly long hair and they could really sing and play. Some of the songs they did were by this guy Mike Murphey, and they had all gone to high school and college together.”
Murphey soon went to L. A., writing music for the Monkeys who had a popular TV show at the time. A little later, Livingston met a guy in Aspen while playing there who offered him a record deal if he would go to L.A. On the way to California, Livingston picks up a hitchhiker who says the only other musician he knows in L.A. is Murphey. Livingston shares his number with the guy and tells him if you ever see Murphey again, get him to call me.
Sometime later he gets a call from Murphey who asks him, “Who are you? Why am I supposed to call you?” Livingston shares the story about Red River and meeting Hubbard and the others who are performing Murphey’s songs. Livingston tells him, “I think it’s as good as anything I’ve heard since the Beatles.” According to Livingston, Murphy replies, “You know what? You’re a genius and we need to meet.” “All of a sudden I’m hanging out with Murphey. We’re writing songs together.”
While in L. A., Murphey takes Livingston to the Troubadour Club and introduces him to Jerry Jeff Walker who then was an opening act for Linda Rondstadt. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s version of ‘Mr. Bojangles,’ written by Walker, reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1971.
(The story continues and gets even better – tune in for ‘Part 2 – the Cosmic Cowboys Come to Texas’) Mike August climbed his first mountain - Old Baldy - and rode his first horse as a youngster in Wimberley. An extensive background in nonprofits, includes public broadcasting, youth services and other charitable organizations. He has served in management, Board and volunteer positions for Wimberley Valley Radio, The Wimberley Players and Wimberley Arts. He is a Member of Wimberley Arts. org
