MATT 'GUITAR' MURPHY
After nearly forty years of musical and personal camaraderie, drummer and producer Bob Christina began studio work with Matt 'Guitar' Murphy on what would become Murphy's final project.
After he passed in June of 2018, the fate of the unfinished project was placed in Christina's hands. He began outreach to musicians who were friends of Murphy, played with him, or were otherwise influenced by him. The response was overwhelming, with no less than 72 fine musicians represented on True Blues Brother: The Legacy of Matt 'Guitar' Murphy, an historic 23 song double album including Murphy's final three studio recordings, a new song written and performed by multi-Grammy-winner Tom Hambridge, and the work of Murphy's friends Joe Beard and Billy Boy Arnold in the studio together for the first time.
Featured artists include Doyle Bramhall II, Fran Christina & The Original Roomful of Blues, Steve Cropper, Ronnie Earl, Sax Gordon, Jaimoe, Bill Kirchen, Chuck Leavell, Bob Margolin, James Montgomery, Tracy Nelson, Johnny Nicholas, Christine Ohlman, Lee Oskar, Jerry Portnoy, Duke Robillard, Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, Toni Lynn Washington and more.
Out now on Nola Blue Records
Sallie Bengtson
sallie@nola-blue.com
Publicity: Mark Pucci Media mpmedia@bellsouth.net
Promotion: Mac Radio Promo macradiopromo@gmail.com
ABOUT MATT
Murphy was born in Sunflower, MS on Dec 29, 1929 and raised in Memphis, TN. In 1948, Murphy moved to Chicago, where he joined the Howlin' Wolf Band, which at the time featured Little Junior Parker.In 1952, Murphy recorded with Little Junior Parker and Ike Turner, resulting in the release, “You’re My Angel”/“Bad Women, Bad Whiskey” (Modern 864), credited to Little Junior Parker and the Blue Flames.
Murphy worked often with Memphis Slim, including on his debut album At the Gate of Horn (1959). Murphy recorded two albums and many singles with Chuck Berry and was also featured in works by Koko Taylor, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Buddy Guy, Etta James, and Otis Rush. He also performed with Willie Dixon. Freddie King is said to have once admitted that he based his "Hide Away" (1960) on Murphy's playing.
In the 1970s, Murphy associated with harmonica player James Cotton, recording over six albums. Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi attended one of their performances and subsequently asked Murphy to join the touring band of The Blues Brothers. Murphy appeared in the films The Blues Brothers (1980) and Blues Brothers 2000 (1998), playing the husband of Aretha Franklin. He performed with the Blues Brothers Band until the early 2000s.
Murphy was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2012. He died from a heart attack on June 15, 2018, at age 88.
“A fitting tribute to one of blues most inspirational and accomplished guitarists and a personal hero of mine, the amazing Matt ‘Guitar’ Murphy. From his early days with Memphis Slim to his years with harpmaster James Cotton and leader of his own band, Matt has inspired guitarists of every generation." - DUKE ROBILLARD
"Matt 'Guitar' Murphy was a great influence and inspiration to a lot of musicians and guitar players including myself and it comes across all over this amazing record." - JIMMIE VAUGHAN
