Michael Martin Murphey playing benefit for Route 66 center April 8, 2009

Veteran country-music star Michael Martin Murphey is performing another benefit concert for the Route 66 Interpretive Center of Chandler, Okla., on April 16.

Murphey played a benefit for the center last year about this time. Apparently he is scheduled to be in Oklahoma City that week for an annual awards presentation at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Museum, and decided to add the Chandler gig.

The April 16 show in will be at the Chandler High School’s performing arts center. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7. Tickets are $30 each, with children and students admitted free. For more information, call Angie Maynor at the Interpretive Center at 405-258-1300.

Murphey has been a fan of Route 66 all his life. He likely will perform his cover of Bobby Troup’s “Route 66,” which Murphey recorded in his 1989 album “Land of Enchantment.” Murphey also was quoted in Michael Wallis’ best-selling book, “Route 66: The Mother Road.”

Here’s Murphey in 1986 performing his most famous song: