Remember Durango

On the third corner, I saw a man who looked like he was from ZZ Top but was wearing a John Lennon T-shirt. I said "Nice shirt" to the man as I approached him. We struck up a conversation and discussed things like Ron Paul, music, the Federal Reserve, and various conspiracy theories. I got his phone number and we kept in touch. His name was Durango McMurphy.

As the years went by, I sometimes gave Durango rides, and he told me more about his music playing. He sometimes played at the Middleton Sport Bowl bowling alley. His music was soft rock. He often played Hank Williams or the Beatles and was very good at singing light rock and country tunes on his acoustic guitar. He was a really nice and friendly guy.

Then a brilliant thought hit me! Why not recruit Durango to play live music at Pints & Politics!

Durango was a hit, and he played at a dozen or more Republican Party events over the next few years. Many fellow Republicans got to know Durango, and everyone agreed he was a very swell guy.

Tragedy hit on May 1, 2025. Durango collapsed. He was taken to the hospital and died on May 4. He was 75 years old and had a bad heart condition. May God rest Durango's soul.

Celebrations of life are planned this summer with his former band-mates, and also at Wet Bottoms Bar & BBQ in Newville (where Durango often played) at times to be determined.