For 20 years, veteran Texas songwriter James McMurtry has put his own innovative take on music. With rustic guitar and a southern voice, McMurtry has become a legend in music circles from Texas to Alabama.

Playing around 150 shows a year, this seasoned topical writer will be performing in Auburn at the War Eagle Supper Club on Feb. 19. This is an event that has been in the making for two years, when Standard Deluxe owner Scott Peek began talking to McMurtry’s manager about his tour dates.

“I had been in contact with his manager and when I heard James McMurtry was going to be in the Auburn area, I wanted to make sure we booked him when a date was available,” said Peek.

Peek first saw one of James McMurtry’s live shows four years ago in Austin, Texas.

“He played every Thursday at The Continental Club in Austin and started at midnight,” said Peek. “My buddy and I were in Austin and heard he was playing downtown, so we couldn’t miss it.”

McMurtry’s work has been influenced by other Texas legends such as Guy Clark, Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen, but his songs undeniably have their own distinct sound.

Besides giving a definition to Texas country and Texas rock, McMurtry's music is a blend of Americana and folk with a Texas twang.

“Style is based on limitation,” said McMurtry. “I do what I can do.”

Fortunately, ‘doing what he can do’ makes a power-house performance that mesmerizes his audiences.

“Our show begins as a trio: electric guitar, drums and bass,” said McMurtry. “Then about an hour into the show, our sound guy comes and plays guitar. We go from being a trio to a four piece band.”

The band performs mostly original songs, but performs a few covers such as Town Van Zandt's, “Reckless Blues.”

“‘Choctaw Bingo’ is a crowd favorite,” said McMurtry. “It’s a fun party song. There are no protests in that one.”

However, it’s McMurtry’s protest songs that have gained him nationwide attention from other artists.

In 2011, McMurtry’s song, "We Can't Make It Here" was cited among the nation's "Best Protest Songs Ever." The song won the Americana "Song of the Year" in 2006. Currently, Joan Baez wants to do a rendition of the song for the Occupy Wall Street campaign. “Hopefully we can get her vocals, and Steve Earl’s as well,” said McMurtry.

Robert Earl Keen, another Texas legend, covered McMurtry’s “Out Here in the Middle.”

As for songwriting, McMurtry’s skills go beyond most.

“He is a fairly well-known songwriter,” said Peek. “His songs have meaning. As for songwriting, I think he’s one of the best out there.”

McMurtry has written 10 albums worth of songs.

“I hear a couple of lines and a melody in my head,” said McMurtry. “If it keeps me up at night, I finish the song, but I usually don’t finish the ones I start.”

McMurtry changes up his travels by playing with his band on some shows, and playing others solo.

“His live shows are a lot better than the ones you usually see,” said Peek.

McMurtry began playing guitar when he was 7 years old, when he learned his first chord from this mother.

McMurtry has listened to his influences since he was a young age and was inspired to pursue music by his idols’ stage presence.

“I saw Johnny Cash play when I was young, and then Kris Kristoferson,” said McMurtry. “During those shows, everyone on stage seemed to be having a good time, and that’s what I wanted to do.”

It wasn’t until he attended boarding school and college (not caring for either one), was a bartender, and was in a few movies, that McMurtry decided to put his foot in the door of the music business.

McMurtry recalls his last visit to Auburn in 1989, when he opened for The Bodeanes at a fraternity party in 25 degree weather.

Since his days of playing for the fraternity circuit, McMurtry has made a big foot print on the music industry.

On his website, McMurtry boasts flattering quotes about his music from a range of notable sources such as John Mellencamp, USA Today and even Rolling Stone.

McMurtry’s first album, “Too Long in the Wasteland,” was produced by John Mellencamp in 1989. This album became the first of many for Columbia and Sugar Hill records.

In 1996, McMurtry received a Grammy nomination for his music video of “Where’d You Hide the Body.”

His album, "It Had to Happen” received the American Indie Award for “Best Americana Album” in 1997.

In 2009, McMurtry and his band took their music overseas for their first European tour. The band then released its first live DVD, “Live in Europe.” The DVD features performances from the band as they traveled to Germany, Amsterdam, Ireland and a spread of European countries.

On Feb. 1, 2011, two of James McMurtry's most popular albums, “Childish Things” and “Live in Aught-Three” were reissued by Lightning Rod Records and were re mastered since their debut and turned into a vinyl album.

Through all of his endeavors, McMurtry remains humble about his accomplishments.

“My greatest accomplishment in my career is staying in business for 20 years,” said McMurtry.

McMurtry is still writing and performing and isn’t planning on slowing down anytime soon.

“We have a couple of new songs that we’re trying to scrape up for another record,” he said.

The Standard Deluxe in Waverly, Ala., is known for its outdoor concerts and events. However, with the weather being unpredictable and having the fear of a rained out show, the Standard Deluxe is hosting the concert at the War Eagle Supper Club.

The concert expects several hundred McMurtry fans.

“We couldn’t put on this event without Supper Club,” said Peek. “This will be a combo show, and it’ll be a good one.”

McMurtry is scheduled to perform at the War Eagle Supper Club on Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 at the door.

For more on McMurtry, visit jamesmcmurtry.com.