Linden chosen as site for Murphey Western Institute
Tuesday, November 21, 2006 8:08 AM CST
By ANTHONY DAVIS Texarkana Gazette

Semi-retired musician Richard Bowden and Linden, Texas, Economic Development Corp. President Russell Wright have been touting the East Texas charm of Linden to anyone who would listen for several years now.

The horn-tooting, combined with a sincere small-town feel, were enough to turn Western music top-dog Michael Martin Murphey's head, as the singer, poet and American west cultural advocate has selected Linden as the site for the Murphey Western Institute.

The institute is a 501(c) 3 organization with goals to "support education, research and artistic endeavors related to the preservation and perpetuation of the cultural and historic legacy of the American west."

"The organization has been active since 1995," said Murphey in a telephone conversation from his ranch in Westby, Wis. "I met with some people at WestFest I put on in Colorado where I began to discuss the frontier movement. These are the things I have been dedicated to all my life.

"One of our first projects was the maintenance and preservation of the 500-mile Colorado Trail. The forest service does not accept responsibility for the historic trail's maintenance, so we help with our resources."

Murphey is a native of the Oak Cliff neighborhood in Dallas. His musical career as a folk/pop/western singer/songwriter exploded in the early '70s with "Geronimo's Cadillac," revealing his love and passion for the western culture.

Murphey's talents have resulted in numerous awards and other forms of recognition for his overall interests beyond the music world.

"Our goal is to establish a library and a research center where writers and artists and anything related to the western culture can be explored in a pioneer setting. East Texas is where the earliest settlers and pioneers entered Texas originally.

"I know the Murpheys were involved in settling East Texas, so the location is nearby to where they lived in 1858. Our first physical plant will be located not too far from where the Murpheys came into Texas. It's a part of the American life story."

The Murphey Western Institute has big plans for the long haul.

The initial agreement, approved by the LEDC, specifies the proposed use of the 48-acre site between Music City Texas and the Cass County Championship Rodeo Association Arena on Texas Highway 8.

The proposed projects include the Western Legacy Library and Bookstore, a Piney Woods Pioneer Village and the retreat center; a Texas Woodland Indian Village and Texas and Western Cooking Center; a traditional Western Arts and Crafts Gallery and Store and a Western Riding Center; and Murphey Western Festival Grounds, home of the Piney Woods Cowboy gathering, WestFest of Texas and other events.

No date has been set for the beginning of construction or a projected total cost, but Murphey said bulldozers are about ready to start dirt work.

The MWI is expected to be funded by the Murphey Foundation and available grant monies sought by Linden and the foundation. Donations and endowments from the private sector are also being solicited and are expected to contribute to this "pioneering" effort.

"This is where we are planting the seeds to allow the institute to grow as naturally as possible," Murphey said.

And Bowden and Wright?

They are absolutely besides themselves with excitement and anticipation. Part of their enthusiasm is the glow of pride when they learned the other sites Murphey had considered were Aspen, Colo., and Taos, N.M.

A special VIP performance by Murphey is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at Music City Texas, where the singer will give an advance performance of "Michael Martin Murphey's Cowboy Christmas." Tickets are $100 and $200 and may be obtained by calling 903-756-9934.