Singing cowboy poet coming to Carson City

While album sales and concert attendance prove Michael Martin Murphey's ability to entertain, he aims to do more with his music.

Known as the "singing cowboy poet," Murphey says he wants to raise awareness about the agriculture lifestyle and the role it plays in modern society.

"It's essential people realize this is the heart of our nation. This is what makes us great," he said. "We've got a starving planet. You can't eat computer chips."

He says it's time city folk join with the farmer and rancher to make policy to perpetuate the production of agriculture.

His music, however, approaches the subject more subtly. After all, who would sing along to lyrics denouncing eminent domain and calling on a repeal of the inheritance tax?

Instead, he focuses on the romance of a life lived working with the land. And, himself a cattleman and horseman, he pays tribute to those who dedicate their lives to raising livestock and crops.

"They're doing us a favor," he says of the 2 percent of the population that produces food for the entire nation.

Murphey, who will perform at Carson City Community Center on Saturday, says he is looking forward to returning to Nevada - with its open, rural country and people who dedicate their lives to the land.

Murphey's activism was spurred in part by Tonopah rancher Wayne Hage, who battled the federal government for decades over public lands and private property rights.

"Nevada has always been on the cutting edge on speaking out," he said.

Although Hage died last year, his legacy of preserving water and grazing rights lives on.

It's that spirit Hage tried to capture in his weekly television series, which airs on PBS and RFD-TV. The program highlights the lives of those working in agriculture, their struggles and triumphs.

Murphey says it breaks down the stereotype that rural Americans are ignorant.

"I'll hold up an agriculture degree against an English degree for intellectual prowess," he said. "And I know, I have a degree in English."

For his Carson City concert, Murphey plans to mix old favorites, including "Wildfire" and "Cowboy Logic," with songs from his new album "Heartland Cowboy."

Among the new releases he'll sing is "Close to the land," a tribute to the rural way of life and the theme song for "America's Heartland."

"There's love for the country and a pride in the brand

In the hearts of the people living close to the land," is the chorus.

He's hoping those with country roots will appreciate the music and those who aren't will learn something.

"I want them to become a constituency for the farmer and the rancher, to go to their representatives and say, 'Take care of these people,'" he said. "My music alone can't save it."

• Contact reporter Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1272.

If you go:

WHAT: Brewery Arts Center and Buffalo Creek Ranch present Michael Martin Murphey in concert

WHERE: Carson City Community Center, 851 E. William St.

WHEN: 7:30 p.m.

Saturday

TICKETS: $25; $3 discount for BAC members, students and seniors

Watch "America's Heartland" 5 p.m. Wednesdays on RFD-TV or noon Sundays on KNPB. Visit www.americasheartland.org for more information.