Cosmic Cowboy

MUSICIANS: Michael Martin Murphey-Vocals & Acoustic Guitar; Pat Flynn-Lead Acoustic Guitar; Ryan Murphey-Rhythm Acoustic Guitar; Craig Nelson-Acoustic Bass; Andy Hall-Dobro; Andy Leftwich-Fiddle, Charlie Cushman-Banjo, Ronny McCoury-Mandolin.

I wrote “Cosmic Cowboy” as a satirical song, dedicated to the combination hippie/cowboys that emerged in Austin, Texas. The Texas free-spirited hippies were trying to be cool, yet tip their cowboy hats their redneck roots at the same time. They loved to write and sing Rock music- but also Country, Bluegrass, Folk and Blues. It was a “get back to the land” and “back to your roots” movement. This led to a different kind of “hippie” who was more like the long-haired frontiersman of the Republic of Texas. Most Texans dislike Big Government and Big Brother. The song became an “anthem” – but to me, Jerry Jeff Walker and the Nitty-Gritty Dirt Band, it was just rollicking fun.