Craig Daily Press

Craig — Pop and country music — Michael Martin Murphey has performed them both, said Frank Hanel, 55 Country and KRAI owner and general manager.

“He’s an interesting guy,” Hanel said. “He’s an incredible songwriter and musician.”

The Western Music Asso­ciation inducted Murphey into its Hall of Fame in 2004, the association’s Web site reported.

Still, Murphey will be performing Friday in Craig the same way many new performers begin: With only a guitar and microphone, Hanel said.

Murphey will sing with Fred Hargrove, a fellow country and Western singer, at 8:30 p.m. in the Moffat County High School auditorium.

Murphey will perform his pop and country classics, including Murphey’s “What’s Forever For” and “Wildfire.”

The duo also will present some of Murphey’s more recent music — arrangements that laud the cowboy lifestyle, Hanel said.

Craig is one of the first stops on Murphey’s latest tour, which includes concerts in Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.

This week’s concert won’t be Murphey’s first in Moffat County.

The show, coordinated and produced by KRAI and 55 Country, marks the multi-genre musician’s third appearance in Craig since 2002, Hanel said.

Although Murphey’s first appearance in Craig sold out, ticket sales for his 2003 show were down by nearly half.

Murphey’s show differed little from the year before, which may have caused a drop in sales, Hanel said.

Hanel hopes for a full house this time.

The radio station has 800 tickets available for the show. As of Tuesday, about 250 of those tickets were sold, Hanel said.

Tickets sell for $15 each and are available at MJK Sales and Feed, 290 Ranney St., and Bushwackers, 810 Lincoln Ave., in Steamboat Springs.

KRAI and 55 Country also will sell tickets Friday at the high school.

But, only if tickets are left.

“I don’t think we’ll sell out but I hope to come close,” Hanel said.