With just a keyboard and her coolly beautiful voice, Minnie Murphy can captivate a room and hold an audience in her spell, taking them on an entertaining voyage they’ll not soon forget. Though barely in her 20’s, the enchanting singer possesses a grace and talent that belies her young years, and a confidence that definitely radiates whenever she takes center stage.She no doubt developed that confidence growing up in a family full of performers, where she was introduced to the music business practically from birth. Father Jimmy Murphy is a talented musician who helmed his own band for years in New Zealand before moving to the States and meeting Minnie’s mother, who also happened to be a singer and classical pianist.
When Minnie wasn’t outside hiking or riding her bike on the beautiful outdoor trails of Bellingham, WA where she grew up, she was taking piano lessons from her mother and several other teachers thus being exposed to all types of music. Minnie soon found she had a real aptitude for the instrument and spent hours every day tinkering away at the keyboard and constructing melodies on her own. Her mother was soon introducing her to classical music and jazz greats like Nina Simone, and Minnie found she was drawn to it all, especially the great vocalists. She enjoyed Bjork and Sarah McLachlan as much as she did Diamond Rio (one of her favorite bands), and was surrounded by all types of music from the time she was small. “Music has always been a part of my life, all types of music. In my piano lessons I studied Classical music. I also liked new age music too and I loved Mariah Carey. I’d sing her music all the time. I also love Aretha Franklin and she was a big influence for me as a vocalist. I feel like you can listen to Aretha and it can change your life, you know! My dad would also play country music and classic rock in the local clubs and taverns and would get me onstage to sing with him. I was really exposed to all types of music and grew to love it all.” But it was country music, with its lyrical and melodic content, that Minnie gravitated toward most. As Minnie became more proficient on piano, she and her mother started writing songs together and Minnie expanded her musical talent even further.
Minnie no doubt also found inspiration from one of her older half sisters, 1720 Entertainment recording artist, Jamie O’Neal. “Ever since I was a kid I always looked up to Jamie…we always spent our Christmases together as a family and she lived with us when I was really small. I have three half sisters and they’re all very talented,” quips Murphy.
As Minnie grew up, Jamie also called on her to perform with her for some high-profile gigs like the “Grand Ole Opry”, and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” Minnie also performed for The 4th Annual Country Music Festival in Athens, Greece and the Merritt Mountain Music Festival in Canada, giving the talented teen some invaluable experience at a young age. Minnie then landed a weekend gig singing and playing piano at a local hotel in Bellingham and continued to write country songs with her family, all the while dreaming of moving to Nashville. She didn’t have to dream too long. Her debut project on Montage Music Group is due out fall of 2008 and she is eagerly anticipating the chance share her own brand of country music with the world.
We had a chance to sit down & interview the talented Miss Murphy:
That Nashville Sound- What brought you to Nashville?
Minnie Murphy- I always wanted to move to Nashville ever since I was a kid because it's so full of talent and opportunity. I also love the history of the town and all of the wonderful venues like the Ryman and the Station Inn. It's a magical town!
TNS- Looking over your career thus far, what do you rank as a couple of the highlights?
MM- The highlights of my career so far are first and foremost being able to record my own songs with exceptional musicians. It's such an honor to have that opportunity. The first time I got to go in the studio to record I remember being in the vocal booth and listening to the band play and it sounded so amazing that I couldn't even sing at first! The drummer was like, "uhh, can we get a vocal?" and I snapped out of it but I was so blown away and speechless at what was happening. Another amazing moment was singing with my sister Jamie O'Neal at the Grand Ole Opry for the first time and also on Jay Leno. That was truly thrilling. Lastly, I must mention the experience of meeting a living legend, Vince Gill and having him sing harmony on my debut single, Take me to Texas. That was a dream come true and he was so sweet, he even did it for free!
TNS- What might people be suprised to find out about you?
MM- I have a twin brother. I'm a yodeler. I'm quite shy off stage and I'm addicted to playing pool.
TNS- What kind of music are you listening to? What's in your iPod?
MM- I'm currently listening to some classic Reba. I just learned her song, You Lie and I love it!
TNS- If you had a crystal ball and looked forward ten years, what do you see for yourself?
MM- In ten years, I hope that I have met my soul mate, built a home studio and learned how to run it so I can produce my own music. I also hope by then that I have had the chance to travel the world with my music and hopefully also had the opportunity to collaborate with some of my heroes like Alison Krauss and Chris Stapleton. I also hope that I can do a CMT Crossroads with Alicia Keys one day!
Watch Murphy sing her debut single "Take Me To Texas Tonight" here...
Love Minnie and her music - I want more!
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