Cody Johnson & Western Country Legend Michael Martin Murphey Join Forces For Captivating New Version Of “Wildfire”

Michael Martin Murphey Is A Certified Legend In Western And Cowboy Country Music

“Wildfire,” the hit song from Western country legend Michael Martin Murphey, has been reignited thanks to a new collaboration with Cody Johnson.

When people think of Western/cowboy country music, Murphey’s name is one of the first to come to mind. Out of his many RIAA-certified albums, the appropriately titled Cowboy Songs is one of the most notable. The 1990 record became the first collection of cowboy music to be certified Gold by the RIAA since Marty Robbins‘ Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs (released in 1959).

Cowboy Songs included Murphey’s versions of traditional Western tunes such as “Happy Trails,” “Tumbling Tumbleweeds,” and “The Yellow Rose of Texas.”

Beyond the tracks featured on Cowboy Songs, Murphey is known for the hit songs “Wildfire,” “A Long Line of Love,” and “Carolina in the Pines.” He also wrote and recorded the New Mexico state ballad, “Land of Enchantment.”

Murphey doesn’t just sing about the cowboy lifestyle; he champions it. A native Texan, Murphey started riding horses on his family’s ranches when he was only six years old. He loved hearing the cowboy stories and songs his grandfather shared with him.

After finding fame as a Western country artist, Murphey founded the WestFest festival, which spotlights Western music, art, and culture.

Murphey has been inducted into several Halls of Fame, including the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame and the Western Music Association Hall of Fame. He’s earned multiple Grammy nominations and won the ACM Award for Top New Male Vocalist in 1983.

At age 80, Murphey maintains an active career as a recording and touring performer. Most recently, he released a new rendition of “Wildfire” to celebrate the song’s 50th anniversary—and the reimagined recording features a modern country-singing cowboy, Cody Johnson.

Cody Johnson Joins Michael Martin Murphey To Revive “Wildfire”

Murphey co-wrote “Wildfire” with Larry Cansler. The song was released in 1975 as the lead single from Murphey’s album Blue Sky – Night Thunder.

“Wildfire” tells the tale of a young woman who died in a blizzard while looking for her lost pony, Wildfire. In the present, a homesteader who finds himself in an equally dangerous winter storm remembers the tragic story.

As the storm rages on, the man is visited by a beautiful owl who sits outside his window six nights in a row. He feels like the owl is the spirit of Wildfire’s owner, calling him to join her in heaven.

“Wildfire” sparked great success for Murphey, reaching third place on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The RIAA has since certified it Platinum.

Additionally, the Western Writers of America named “Wildfire” one of the Top 100 Western Songs of All Time. The song ranked 15th on the list.

Now, Cody Johnson, a superstar country artist with connections to the rodeo world, has joined Murphey to reimagine “Wildfire” 50 years later. The new recording opens with Johnson singing lead, showcasing his powerful voice while sharing the song’s heartbreaking story.

Of course, the best moments come when Johnson and Murphey join forces. Those moments when they blend their voices together can best be described as “captivating.”

Listen to the new version of “Wildfire,” featuring Cody Johnson, in the audio clip below.