Murder On Music Row by George Strait (featuring Alan Jackson)

Album: Latest Greatest Straitest Hits (2000)

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Country music got very popular in the 1990s when artists like Garth Brooks, Shania Twain, Billy Ray Cyrus and the Dixie Chicks infused it with rock and pop, resulting in a steady stream of crossover hits that minimized the twang of traditional country. It was a bonanza for country radio and for record labels, but not everyone was happy about it. George Strait and Alan Jackson made their stance clear in their duet "Murder On Music Row," where they accuse the industry of killing country music for the sake of profit.
The song was written by Larry Cordle and Larry Shell, and first released by Cordle with his band Lonesome Standard Time in 1999. The George Strait and Alan Jackson version, which is far more popular, was released in 2000. Cordle and Shell were industry veterans who infused some of that vernacular into the lyrics. In the opening line, we learn that the killer was "running from 16th Avenue," a reference to the street in Nashville where much of the business is headquartered. When they mention "Old Hank," "the Hag," and "the Possum," they're referring to the old-school country legends Hank Williams, Merle Haggard and George Jones.
Strait and Jackson kicked off the 2000 Academy of Country Music Awards by performing this song right in front of many music executives who abetted the murder on Music Row. Later in the show, Shania Twain won Entertainer of the Year and the Dixie Chicks won Album of the Year for Fly.
Alan Jackson joined Strait to perform this song at the last stop of Strait's The Cowboy Rides Away tour in 2014 in Arlington, Texas in front of over 104,000 people.

Strait returned the favor by showing up to Jackson's farewell concert in Nashville, where they sang it together one last time.

Comments: 6

Beau from Phoenix, AzLucas: Actually, Garth Brooks wouldn't have started recording music if it weren't for George Strait and Keith Whitley. Yes, he does have rock influences as well, but George Strait is Garth's biggest influence.
Lucas from Spartanburg, ScI think this song is about Garth Brooks. The man that murdered country music.
Dan from Kingston, CanadaBig & Rich, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley and all the country wannabes- country music is in big trouble with all the "mammy and pappy, neon jukeboxes in the back of good ole boy pickup trucks" lyrics - they all talk about Merle, George Jones, Elvis, etc. in their songs but couldn't hold a candle to any of them
Brian from Birmingham, AlAmen to this song, Nashville's talent poole has dried up.Id' listen to adult contemporary or top 40, If I wanted to hear that kind of so called country they try to cram down our throat and still slap a "country" label on it.
Brian,Pelham,Al.
Randall from Chattanooga, TnHaving been a professional musician for over 35 years, I must say that this song is spot on. There are a handful of people who, by whatever means possible, attempt, usually successfully, to control what songs make the charts and what songs don't. In Nashville, it's not about ability but about marketability. They can take horrible singers and make them sound good in a studio and then promote them exclusively. The record companies are losing thei power a little at a time die to online music. It's about time the real talent got a chance to shine.
Terry L. Kiser, Sr from Tifton, IdThe songwriter had it nailed on the head no doubt. The song points out the downward spiral of today's music. Sex is the big seller now. And I applaud Strait and Jackson for speaking out like they did. Country music has certainly taken a dive with bands like Big and Rich (who haven't done a decent song yet) and wannabe's like Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow.

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