When David Lee Murphy describes his new album, he repeatedly returns to the same words: fun, rockin', rowdy, good-times. "For me, that's what music is all about," the veteran country-rocker says. "Whether I'm writing, recording, performing or listening to music, the whole experience for me is about enjoying yourself, getting away from the real world and having a good time."

His commitment to a good time is obvious throughout the new CD, Tryin' To Get There, the acclaimed rabble-rouser's first album since signing with Audium Records. On it, he takes up where he left off with such earlier hits as the rowdy anthem "Party Crowd," the stirring "Dust on the Bottle", the hooky "Every Time I Get Around You", and the soulful "Road You Leave Behind".

If anything, Murphy has raised the stakes: His raucous songs rock with more swagger, and his neon-lit honky tonk tunes show more wisdom and soul. "I’ve always been about edgy, blue-collar, working-class country that’s done with heart and soul," Murphy explains. "It’s rockin’, it’s fun and it’s real. It’s about what people do in their lives, especially when they’re in the mood to live it up a bit."

As usual, the tall dark-haired, blue-eyed singer sets his own musical direction. His independent, in your face, no holds barred attitude is right where the current country music pendelum is returning. Murphy says, "There’s a whole world of people out there who’ve always loved the rowdier side of country music. They’ll respond to your music if it’s hard-hitting and honest."

His new album certainly speaks to those kinds of fans. "I might be a little loco, baby, but a little bit crazy’s all right," he sings with a wink and a grin in "Loco." That same spirit runs through such red-dirt stompers as "I Like It Already," "Same Ol’ Same Ol’," "She Always Said" and "Mama’s Last" - all of which are about colorful characters who indeed are a little loco.

"There’s no denying that this is a rockin’ party record," Murphy says with no apologies. "They’re just wide open songs for all those beer-drinkin’, hell-raisin’ kind of country fans. I make music for all those folks inside and outside the city limits who like to let their hair down on the weekend." I want folks to come to a show and have a good time. For me, it's not a great show unless people loosen up and get a little crazy."

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