Trail Live Session: James McMurtry & Bettysoo

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The Trail 1033 is a Missoula, MT radio station where interesting people occasionally stop by.... and on June 24th 2025 James & Betty came by after their breakfast at the Oxford for a conversation and to play a few tunes. Listen below, subscribe on your podcast platform of choice and, for the love of live music, stay tuned to the Trail 1033.

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What a treat it was to once again welcome a true American songwriting legend back to Trail 103.3- James McMurtry, this time with his longtime friend and musical collaborator BettySoo riding shotgun. Just hours before their show at the Zootown Arts Community Center, they stopped by for a stripped-down, heartfelt Trail Live Session.

James brought his signature storytelling and dry wit, performing “The Color of Night” and “South Texas Lawman” from his latest record Black Dog and the Wandering Boy. BettySoo joined in on a gorgeous duet version of “Gulf Road,” reimagined for her upcoming album.  Listen as the two chat about about touring in drag to protest anti-drag laws, swapping instruments, and what it means to write songs that speak from another person’s perspective even when it’s uncomfortable. 

Catch them live tonight at the ZACC in downtown Missoula — doors at 7 PM, show at 8. A few tickets were still left at the time of recording, but they won’t last

--> Zootownarts.org

Then tomorrow, they hit The ELM in Bozeman, so tell your friends over the hill.

This is what the Trail Lunchbox is all about — real music, real conversation, and real connections. Huge thanks to James and BettySoo for stopping by.

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(Trail Guide) Mike Smith:Oh yeah, there's a trailblazer. That's James McMurtry inside the Trail Lunchbox. And what do you know? It's the real James McMurtry in the Trail Lunchbox, and in the Trail studio. James, welcome back.

James McMurtry:Good to be back.

(Trail Guide) Mike Smith:Nice to see you. We were talking about the last time you came through Missoula — that was a Trail Session too, and you were solo that time. You’ve got a companion with you this time around?

James McMurtry:Yeah, this is BettySoo.

BettySoo:Hey there.

(Trail Guide) Mike Smith:Hi, BettySoo! What a treat to have you both here. How long have you been playing together?

James McMurtry:A while now — she’s been joining me on the road for the better part of the last few tours.

(Trail Guide) Mike Smith:Awesome. We’re so excited to have you in the studio. Want to kick it off with a song?

James McMurtry:Sure.

🎵 Performance: "The Color of Night" – James McMurtry

(Trail Guide) Mike Smith:That’s gorgeous — “The Color of Night” from The Horses and the Hounds, right?

James McMurtry:Yeah, that’s right.

(Trail Guide) Mike Smith:I read somewhere that album came together during the pandemic — what was that like, recording under those circumstances?

James McMurtry:We had to do a lot of things remotely. I’d send tracks out, and the guys would play their parts from wherever they were. It was a different process.

(Trail Guide) Mike Smith:Wild. But the result is beautiful. BettySoo, how did you two first start working together?

BettySoo:We were part of a songwriter circle down in Texas. We’d cross paths at different gigs, and eventually it just made sense to collaborate more directly.

(Trail Guide) Mike Smith:Well it’s a great pairing. What are we hearing next?

James McMurtry:This one we’ll do together — it’s called “Gulf Road.”

🎵 Performance: "Gulf Road" – James McMurtry & BettySoo

(Trail Guide) Mike Smith:So lovely. That harmony — whew. Gives me chills. And I love that you’re both storytellers, both musically and lyrically. Do you find your songwriting approaches are similar?

BettySoo:In some ways. We both like detail, and we both like to let the characters in the song speak for themselves.

James McMurtry:Yeah. I try not to preach — I just tell the story and let people take from it what they will.

(Trail Guide) Mike Smith:I think that’s what makes your songs so timeless. You’ve got one more in you?

James McMurtry:Yeah — here’s one called “South Texas Lawman.”

🎵 Performance: "South Texas Lawman" – James McMurtry

(Trail Guide) Mike Smith:James McMurtry and BettySoo, live here on the Trail 103.3. That was incredible. Thank you both so much for coming in.

James McMurtry:Thanks for having us.

BettySoo:It was a joy.

(Trail Guide) Mike Smith:Check out their tour dates — they’re playing [insert venue] tonight, and the new record is out now. Find links and more on our website. This has been a Trail Live Session — thanks for listening.

🌲 Trail Live Sessions are part of the Trail Listening Post podcast series.