Jack Murray & The Blue Tarp Wranglers – Celebrate the Bakersfield Sound and the Music of Merle Haggard and Buck Owens

Jack Murray & The Blue Tarp Wranglers bring the legendary sounds of Merle Haggard and Buck Owens to Godfrey Daniels for a special evening of classic country music in the Bakersfield Tradition!

With their deep respect for the Bakersfield Sound, this all-star lineup of seasoned musicians channels the spirit of Merle, Buck, and their iconic bands. Expect twangy Telecasters, masterful pedal steel, and a rock-solid rhythm section as they breathe new life into timeless hits like "Mama Tried," "Sing Me Back Home," "Cryin' Time," and more. Join us for a night of high-energy honky-tonk, heartfelt ballads, and the rich storytelling that made these country legends unforgettable. Get your tickets now for this must-see celebration of country music history!

JACK MURRAY & THE BLUE TARP WRANGLERS
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There are few bands in this part of the world as well-suited to present and perform an evening of Merle Haggard and Buck Owens music than Jack Murray & the Blue Tarp Wranglers. Those familiar with the band already know that the music of Merle and Buck and other Bakersfield artists has been part of the Tarps’ Sound and repertoire from the very start. 

It’s no accident. The Bakersfield Sound always had its own uniquely cool twang and an undeniably spirited pulse that distinguished it from that of their country cousins back east in Nashville. They weren’t constrained by what had become the Nashville norms. Even the Beatles picked up on it early on with their cover of Buck’s “Act Naturally.”

Since the late 1950’s, Bakersfield, California has had its own stable of stellar regional musicians that helped define the Sound  -on the road and in the studio. Merle’s band “The Strangers” featured guitarists Roy Nichols and James Burton and pedal steel man Norman Hamlet. Buck’s “Buckaroos” featured guitarist Don Rich and pedal steel master Tom Brumley. There were dozens of other legends rotating in and out of Bakersfield, playing with both bands. Even Merle Haggard himself played bass in an early configuration of the Buckaroos.

The Blue Tarp Wranglers have a rock-solid rhythm section with bassist Nick Franclik and drummer Josh Kanusky that can hold their own with the Bakersfield Boys. Which is sayin’ something. Alan Landes on Tele has been absorbing and honoring the styles of James Burton, Roy Nichols and Don Rich with his playing for decades now. Veteran pedal steel man Dave Van Allen is one of the best there is and a life-long devotee of the instrument itself and of the Bakersfield masters. Jack Murray has been an ardent fan of Buck and Merle - and likely related to Mr. Haggard himself. Alan and Jack have been playing and singing many of these songs in various bands since they were first on the radio! As a songwriter, Jack has been inspired for decades by the brilliant songwriting of Merle Haggard. 

Besides the irresistible Sound itself - it all comes down to the singers and the songs. Buck has his own catalog of Hall of Famers like “Cryin’ Time,” “Under Your Spell Again,” “Close Up the Honky-Tonks,” “Together Again” and dozens more. Merle’s catalog is even bigger - with “The Bottle Let Me Down,” “Sing Me Back Home,” “Mama Tried,” “Today I Started Lovin’ You Again” and dozens more. And Merle Haggard is one of the best singers there’s even been.

Jack is a veteran writer and singer from Sevierville Tennessee. His songs have been recorded by a number of Nashville artists. He’s been a frequent guest in Bluebird Cafe style “In-The-Rounds” with some of Nashville’s finest - including Thom Schuyler, Craig Bickhardt and Tony Arata. Nashville songwriting legend David Olney adopted one of Jack’s songs in his last months among us, including in his final performance.

The Blue Tarp Wranglers is a Who's Who of regional Country/Blues/Americana players featuring guitarist Alan Landes (“Golden Rocket”); bassist Nick Franclik (“The Electric Farm” and “Dina Hall Band”); drummer Josh Kanusky (“The David Bromberg Band”); and steel guitarist Dave Van Allen (“Last Train Home”). 

The music of Jack Murray & the Blue Tarp Wranglers features a deeply-rooted mix of folk, blues, rock & roll and traditional country music. This evening of Merle and Buck songs will be a high-spirited musical labor of love. You won’t want to miss it.