MP3 Michelle Murray: Collection of Songs - FOLK: Folk Pop

Michelle Murray expresses the friendly tones of folk through tasteful acoustic guitars and welcoming vocals. Her songs combine the sounds of folk, country, and the blues. This CD received a 2006 Wammie nomination for best Contemporary Folk Recording.

10 MP3 Songs
FOLK: Folk Pop, FOLK: Modern Folk

Details:
This CD, which just received a 2006 Wammie nomination for Best Contemporary Folk Recording, is a collection of songs recorded at various recording studios between 2003 and 2005. Tracks 1-5 were recorded with Rick Kanton as part of the Water's Edge CD, "Make a Choice." That CD, a collaboration between Michelle Murray, Anne Sucher and Rick Kanton, received a 2005 Wammie Award nomination for Best Contemporary Folk Recording.

Tracks 6-7 were recorded in the summer of 2005 at Gregory Lygon Studios. Tracks 8-9 were recorded in 2003 at Matt Holsen Studios as part of Michelle's first solo sampler CD, "This Life." And finally Track 10, the twisted love song "Another Lover Down the Drain" was recorded with Rick Kanton. Featured musicians include Rick Kanton and Les Hatley on lead guitars, Greg Vickers on banjo, and harp, Anne Sucher on harmony vocals and TM Hanna on mandolin.

Several of the songs on this CD have received recognition. The song "Married Women" was selected as an Editor's Pick on Washington Post MP3's web site in the summer of 2005. In addition, another song on this CD, "Wandering Heart", won an honorable mention in the October 2005 Song of the Year contest. "Tucker's Song" received airplay on WETA-FM on the Traditions show.

Singer/Songwriter Michelle Murray has been playing guitar and composing songs for over 20 years. An accomplished lyricist, her songs combine the sounds of folk, country, and a touch of the blues.

Throughout her years of performing, Michelle has opened shows for popular folk artists such as John Gorka and David Massengill.

She has performed in various venues and festivals in the Washington D.C. area, including the Austin Grill, Jammin Java, Caribou Coffee, Mountain Stage New Song Festival, Washington D.C's Fete De La Musique, and the Artomatic Arts Festival in Washington D.C.

She has also been a guest on Damien Einstein's show on WRNR-FM, (along with former singing partner Anne Sucher.

She plays with several area musicians, including Les Hatley and Rick Crump (as Murray, Crump & Hatley), Rick Kanton, Midnight Bob, Greg Vickers, and Don Bridges.

Michelle and Anne Sucher used to perform as a musical duo known as "Water's Edge" and their CD, "Make a Choice" received a 2005 Wammie nomination for best contemporary folk recording. Rick Kanton produced the CD and added music, and Midnite Bob contributed two wonderful songs. Sadly, Anne passed away recently, in February of 2006, but her music will always be remembered.

Michelle currently serves on the board of and hosts an open mike for the Songwriter's Association of Washington. The open mike is held the first and third Friday of every month at Caribou Coffee in Olney, MD.

For several years, Michelle was a member of the Keshet Chorale of the DCJCC. With the choir, she had the opportunity to sing at the Kennedy Centerâs Millenium Stage.

Originally from NJ, Michelle has also performed at many clubs and coffeehouses in the NY/NJ Metropolitan area, including the Turning Point, the Hurdy Gurdy Coffeehouse, the Mine Street Coffeehouse, and various clubs in Greenwich Village including the Speak Easy.

While in New Jersey, she also hosted a folk radio show, âOpen Stageâ on WFDU-FM in Teaneck. The show featured interviews with many well-known performers, including Dave Van Ronk, Rod McDonald, Rory Block and David Massengill. In addition, was the emcee and one of the founders of the Hilltop Coffeehouse in Englewood N.J.

Michelle Murray Reviews:

"Michelle Murray expresses the friendly tones of folk through a metallic-ting of acoustic guitar plucking and welcoming vocals. Her lyrics aren't quite as "day in the life" as the likes of Randy Newman but they are just as light-hearted."

- Washingtonpost.com/MP3 Editor's Picks

"Michelle combines strong song writing with a sweet voice and an energetic stage personality. She is a songwriter with an eye for detail, an eye for the big picture, but alway with her eyes planted solidly on the road."

- Joseph Isaacs, host/promoter of Music Matters Showcase

"'This Life',one of the best songs to come out in years, is folksy and plaintive, and Michelle's voice nicely matches the guitar as the storyteller longs for new adventure and for solitude, and for things to slow down. With just the right inimitable touch of vibrato, Michelle sings, as she puts on her travelin' shoes."

- Ron Goad, Former Vice President, Focus Music

"'Wandering Heart'" is a good song, and it is even better when you listen to it a second time. Memorable...Very good ideas and songwriting in your song." (This song received a Song of the Year Honorable Mention Award).
- Song of the Year Critique Staff


"'This Life' is a wonderful song that makes for a powerful anthem about moving on with life. Your lyrics are poignant and very descriptive of the pain left by open wounds of the heart."

- Song of the Year Critique Staff

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