Utah Valley welcomes western music star

Michael Martin Murphey is a recognized name to already-existing country music fans, but it’s also becoming familiar to UVU students as Wild Mustang Grill and Bakery, a new restaurant located on the south side of University Parkway across from campus, has welcomed Murphey as part-owner. Wild Mustang Grill and Bakery is also the only location in Utah that has all of Murphey’s albums available for purchase.

Murphey, the Texas native, has won numerous awards and honors from organizations including the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Academy of Country Music. In addition to those honors, in 2004 he became an inductee of the Western Music Association Hall of Fame. Murphey spends much of his time in northern New Mexico, southern Colorado, the Ocooch Mountains of Wisconsin and the Panhandle of west Texas. As of recent, Murphey has added Orem, Utah, to his list of travels.

Friend and restaurant owner, Glen Overton, approached Murphey with an opportunity to be part-owner of Wild Mustang Grill and Bakery. According to Murphey, he was comfortable doing business with Overton because he trusts him and agrees with his vision for the restaurant. Murphey and Overton want to expand Southwestern cuisine by offering dishes with “Mexican, ranching and [American] Indian influence.” In accordance with the objective of their fare, Murphey’s favorite dish, the Wild Fire Salad, combines brisket, corn and vegetables to create a Hispanic-influenced Southwestern dish.

Along with participating in various Western events held across the state, Murphey will visit Utah frequently to make his mark at the restaurant.

“Over time [Wild Mustang Grill and Bakery] will provide a venue for other Western singers to perform, introduce cutting edge, new cuisine and new dishes that fit with the Southwestern cuisine and provide a home for anyone to get my music. If they can’t find it anywhere else, they can get it here,” Murphey said.

Second to Texas, Utah has been the most profitable market for Murphey’s albums, and now that fans can purchase his CDs at Wild Mustang Grill and Bakery, Murphey expects album sales to continue to increase.

Murphey and Overton hope the family-friendly and alcohol-free atmosphere at Wild Mustang Grill and Bakery will attract families whose members attend UVU and BYU. Not to mention, flat screen TVs airing sporting events promote a relaxing hangout for college students.

Melissa Lindsey is a senior at Utah Valley University studying communication with an emphasis in journalism. Contact her at lindsey.mml@gmail.com