On June 13, 2025 I headed out to Novato California again. This time KC Turner Presents put on a killer show at Hopmonk Novato. The show of the night was Bettysoo opening up for James McMurtry and what a show it was. In addition the the show, I met up with Sean Reiter and Dean Birkheimer, both photographers and stellar in their own right.
When Bettysoo first hit the stage, the audience erupted in a heartfelt round of applause. The crowd adored her soft, melodic songs, responding with cheers throughout her set. Between songs, she shared insights about life, and during one of these moments, she recounted a conversation with two songwriters, Jaime Harris and Bobby Whitmore. They gave her a phrase that resonated with her: You are the queen of your own genre, and that is the bummer queen.
She then spoke about her experience printing shirts and tote bags, mentioning how she visited Michael’s and unintentionally disappointed a group of Girl Scouts in the Austin, Texas, area. Bettysoo explained that she printed BS Loves BJs on one side of the items and encouraged the audience to add their own messages on the other side, jokingly suggesting something like I hate women.
Following this lighthearted anecdote, she performed “One Thing”, a song that struck a chord with the crowd. Next, she performed “Don’t Say It’s Nothin'”, dedicating it to the person who helped assemble her album—a touching tribute indeed.
Later, James McMurtry and Daren Hess joined her on stage for a few songs, starting with “Gulf Road”, which will be featured on her upcoming studio album. The song was an instant hit with the audience. The following track was both mellow and powerful, and after that, she performed “I Got No Home”, a poignant piece by the late Woody Guthrie, which resonated as deeply now as it did when written in the 1940s. Truly, Bettysoo is an exceptional artist and a captivating performer.
When James McMurtry hit the stage again, he was truly on fire—not literally, of course. He opened the set with “Fuller Brush Man”, which set an excellent tone with its gritty sound. Following that, he played “Childish Things”, which resonated well with the packed house, prompting applause and cheering from the audience.
Next up was “Black Dog and the Wandering Boy”, a favorite of his, where he rocked out with the line, Hey, Someone Lied to Me. After that, he performed “Copper Canteen”, which was a tremendous hit. Although slower in tempo, it was filled with emotion and featured an accordion wailing beautifully in the background.
He then introduced “Choctaw Bingo” with a story about hitchhikers, humorously suggesting they might be escaped inmates. The crowd chuckled along as the song began, and it quickly became a hit among those in attendance.
The following song was “Son of the Second Son”, which delivered a powerful message with style. The line Product of Genocide stood out as a favorite. Bettysoo then returned to the stage for “Color of Night”, where their vocal styles blended perfectly.
She stayed for a few more songs, including the last one she performed, “Canola Fields”, which reflected on the chartreuse flowers seen while traveling through western Canada. The song struck a chord with the audience, transporting them to that landscape.
Next was “Vaquero”, a song that excited the Spanish-speaking members of the crowd, as it was about fifty percent in Spanish. It was a great performance that fully embraced the enthusiasm of the audience.
When they played “No More Buffalo”, the energy was palpable; the crowd was dancing, and some joined in singing along. “Ft. Walton Wake-Up Call” followed, showcasing a psychedelic sound. McMurtry kept the audience engaged as the guitar player maintained the rhythm, and during the chorus, he humorously remarked, I keep losing my glasses. The playful nature of the song was well-received, evident from the enthusiastic applause.
He thanked the audience and started performing “Too Long in the Wasteland”, which could have served as a fitting close to the set. However, he had a surprise in store for everyone. After leaving the stage for a few minutes, he returned, grabbed his 12-string guitar, and performed an acoustic, mic-free version of “Blackberry Winter”. It was a fantastic way to end the evening, leaving the crowd wanting more. I hope he returns next year to share what he comes up with!
Follow the James McMurtry band on social media
James McMurtry – guitar, vocals
Daren Hess – drums
Cornbread- bass
Tim Holt – guitar, accordion
Setlist
1). Fuller Brush Man
2). Childish Things
3). Black Dog and the Wandering Boy
4). Copper Canteen
5). Choctaw Bingo
6). Sons of the Second Son (acoustic)
7). Color of Night (with Bettysoo)
8). South Texas Lawman (with Bettysoo)
9). Sailing Away (with Bettysoo)
10). Canola Fields (with Bettysoo)
11). Vaquero
12). No More Buffalo
13). Ft. Walton Wake-Up Call
14). Too Long in the Wasteland
Encore
15). Blackberry Winter (solo acoustic, mic free)
