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Michael "Big Dog" Murphy's love of music began as an awkward, chubby child in the choir of the southern church he attended with his grandmother every Sunday. The son of a convicted robber and as the story goes a murderer, he never felt like he quite fit in. Stirred by the passion of gospel music, his first memories singing in that choir made him feel as though he was a part of something for the very first time.
As a lonely teen, he loved music, was always singing & making up songs in his head. Michael found comfort in his companion guitar, writing lyrics & picking out melodies.
Leaving the gospel message behind, Michael found his expression in the music of the blues. "Here was something of substance," he says. In the Blues was "the revelation that despite whatever one was going through, it could be overcome. It allowed me to understand that there is a way to find solace even in the darkest times." Thus began a love affair that has lasted to this day.
Michael grew into a 300-pound gruff, growling man earning him the nickname "BIG DOG". His reputation for "excusing" a member of his band while in the middle of a gig are legendary.
While no longer commanding attention through sheer size, growling and snarling the music of the poor and downtrodden, Big Dog is now a creative force enhanced by the powerful wisdom of age and his formal education as a historian. He loves a good story whether it's sharing one of his own or putting a new twist on an old favorite, calling it "A Different Shade of Blues."
"Do I play like the masters? HELL NO! No one does! But, I stay true to the feeling and the emotion blues music can and does invoke."
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For over thirty years, live or in the studio, Michael "Big Dog" Murphy has presented the best in traditional and orignal blues, delivered with his own style - aggressive, creative and very entertaining! As one young fan put it, "Dude! For an old guy, you play really young!"
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"My banner reads, "A Different Shade Of Blues." If you'd like to see some of the bluesmen and other musicians I've had the pleasure with whom to share the stage check out my photo page!"
"Am I, or the band a "ta-daa-da-dum" blues band? NOPE!! Far from it. I don't crawl around on the stage, swing my guitar behind my back, bite the strings, and most certainly I don't do back flips off the stage either! I'd break every bone in my body if I did! LOL! "
Here is what Terry Alford Gage, CEO of Gage Music has to say about Michael Murphy:
“A Different Shade of Blues” describes the creative and entertaining playing style of Michael Murphy & the MOB. His playing style is a more aggressive interpretation of the blues that is fueled by passion and guided by his heartfelt emotions. As he stays true to the feeling of the blues, Michael Murphy takes a different approach by delivering a mix of traditional with a twist for the unexpected. The blues is a feeling, it is an experience, it is a struggle...The Blues is a state of mind, and Michael Murphy & the MOB's state of mind is to take you for a memorable ride on the blues train that you will never forget...get your ticket and hold on for a wonderful experience that you will never forget!!!!!"
"What I do is to offer you a ticket to take a ride on a blues train. Where are we bound? Everywhere and anywhere. We may even stop for a while in your life! This blues train is fueled by passion, and guided by the rails of life I and you have all traveled."
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Jimmy Buffett has his "Parrot-heads!" Our fans are called "Mobsters!" And we love'm all!
"I invite you to become a Mobster, and take a ride with me on our "blues train!". All it costs is a little of your time, a little of your imagination, and if you feel like dancing - a little of your energy. And, maybe your smile. Oh, how I love those smiles! I know your toes and fingers will be tapping to the blues, and often your head's bobbing, and your butt's thumping on the bar stools. Check our schedule, then come on out and check out the music, pick up a CD. This blues train is pulling into your station soon. And I hope hope you'll all climb aboard. And as always, thank you for supporting me, the band, and live music! ALL ABOARD!" - Michael "Big Dog" Murphy
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The MOB would like to introduce their NEW drummer - LeMon "Wardy" Ward! Originally from the deep South down in Mississippi, LeMon joins the MOB. His astounding talents round out a rock solid rhythm section, committed to driving their blues train into your station!! I can hear that conductor shouting, "ALL ABOARD!!"
Come on out to a gig and say hello to LeMon "Wardy" Ward!!! |
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| Here's our new video of my original song "Hellbound." It was shot by Marc Golde at his Rock Garden Studio, in Appleton, WI. Check this out!! |
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To book Michael Murphy and The MOB, or for more info, email: jgrones@gmail.com
Or, call: 920-851-4713.
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