Rob McNurlin was raised in Eastern Kentucky, the hymns in church, the Johnny Cash Show on TV, a harmonica from his grandmother, his parents records and a guitar on his ninth Christmas set him on a very musical path.
As a child Rob began studying traditional music learning hundreds of folk, hillbilly-blues and Gospel tunes. Inspired by Cash, Dylan, Woody Guthrie and Hank Williams he started writing songs and mixing these originals with the traditional.
Rob has released nine cds including "Cowboy Boot Heel", recorded at Johnny Cash's Cabin Studio, produced by his son John Carter Cash and a duet with guest Ramblin' Jack Elliott. "Lonesome Valley Again" reached #26 on the FAR charts and #55 on the Americana chart, remaining in the top 100 over two months, "Sacred Numbers" is a collection of Gospel songs and “Rhinestoned” an original, traditional, country music recording, featuring legendary steel guitarist, Kayton Roberts. On "The Gospel Guitar" and "Tent of the Wicked" he is backed by Marty Stuart's band, The Fabulous Superlatives and produced by Kenny Vaughan.
McNurlin has toured with Ramblin' Jack Elliott and Hot Tuna, his songs have been covered by Ronnie Elliott among others and used in two award winning documentaries. He has played along side Marty Stuart at the Ryman Auditorium and performed with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
In the spring of 2025 film maker Steve Middleton released the documentary " From the Cowboy's Boot Heel, the Musical Journey of Rob McNurlin", it premiered at the Eurotopia Film Festval in Belfast Ireland and won "Best Music Film Award".
Rob tours solo and with his band THe Beatnik Cowboys
Quotes
"He holds his heart to pure Music"- John Carter Cash
"A cowboy prophet"- Vanessa Kaukonen
"he's a folk hero"- Marty Stuart
"In a just world Rob McNurlin would be a household name"- Jorma Kaukonen
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