JPF Home Page Forums Southeast US Chapter Message Boards Nashville Chapter Message Board Steel player Jim Murphy passes

Jim "Big Murph" Murphy passed away at 9:30 this morning in Dallas, Texas. Murph was undoubtedly one of the all-time great steel players. When asked about his work with Asleep at the Wheel, Johnny Paycheck, Razzy Bailey, Ray Price, Earl Scruggs, Hank Williams III, Carl Smith, and a list of legends too long to list, Murph would laugh and say, "I just can't hold down a job."

I first met Murph while I was working in Razzy Bailey's band. Razzy said he was looking for a steel player who could play something else, like saxophone. I called my friend, pianist Bob Hoban. Bob recommended Murph. Bob had played with him in Vassar Clements' band and raved about his playing. Murphy played with us for over over two years, and I was again honored to work with him for two more years at the Saturday Night Long Hollow Jamboree.

When Murph played country swing on the steel, it was like listening to the Count Basie Orchestra. Then, he'd pick up the saxophone and honk it like a rockin' goose.

Jim's sense of humor was legendary. He had the easiest heartiest laugh I've ever heard. When introduced he'd cross his eyes and blow out his cheeks. One night playing at the Long Hollow Jamboree, Murph showed me a can of "Fart Spray" that he'd gotten somewhere. Our drummer, Jann Jones (a fine Texas swing drummer) was a great friend of Jim's and they would joke with each other. That night Jim would make a farting noise and then spray a little bit of the spray. Jann, who is blind, would sniff around and make a face. Soon the whole club, except Jann, was in on the joke. After a few times, Jim made an awful noise and let loose with a large amount of spray. Soon the phony fart smell filled the dancehall. Jann started cussing about Murph's eating habits and all of the dancers were laughing so hard they were crying.

Murph, you were one of a kind. I'll bet right now God is saying, "Murph, play 'Mama's Eyes' for Me."

See You Later,
Mike

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Mike Dunbar Music

Hello...sad news.I'd like to listen to his sound,can you put me on to any cd's or (preferably) vinyl that he played on? Thanks,MJB

I don't know his discography offhand, but he played on a lot of Johnny Paycheck's cuts, some Carl Smith, I believe a Haggard album, and any of the newer Asleep at the Wheel. He also did a 45 years ago of his song "Big Murph" with the flip side "Mother's Eyes." You might be able to poke around and find some of these, they are famous among serious steel guitar players.

He and I did a Razzy Bailey album that never was released, but Razzy's got a few of those cuts that he's shopping around. We played on that with Dobie Grey and Delbert McClinton. If Razz gets a distributor for it, I'll post it here.

Murph was magic.

All the Best,
Mike

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Mike Dunbar Music



[This message has been edited by Mike Dunbar (edited 01-16-2005).]

Hello...thanks for the tip,I'm looking around.By the way,did you tour with Bailey when he did the Downtown Hoedown in Detroit during the early 80's?Thanks,MJB

No, I started playing with Razzy in the early 90's. In the late 80's I was touring Europe with Richard Dobson and State of the Heart. I produced four albums with him and played in the band.

Mike

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Mike Dunbar Music

He sounds like a great guy Mike and that was a wonderful tribute.



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John

http://www.johnkscott.com

Hello...just a little update...I've hit a dead end regarding Jim's work with Ray Price,some info indicates he played steel on "Heartaches by the Numbers",I'm still hunting.Any help would be appreciated.The number of groups he played with,the artists,WOW!Me and the guys are giving his work a serious listen,it's going to take awhile!
It's the steel guitar that puts the laughter
or the cryin' in a country song
That big heart:It ain't beatin'
But the music's livin' on.

There's my verse.Thanks for the info,MJB

Hi Mike...

I am so sorry to hear this. I love the steel guitar..and Jim was one of the best!!

We seem to be losing a lot of the great ones lately.

Bobbie

Hello.
I just found this site and forum while searching for info on Jim Murphy after reading about his passing, and this is my first post, so here goes.

It's funny how you can sometimes find answers to questions in unusual ways. I am a big Johnny Paycheck fan and have a web site dedicated to his memory. I didn't know about Big Jims passing until someone mentioned it to me with regards to the association between Murph and Paycheck.

Now onto the interesting part. I have a video of Johnny Paycheck and his band playing in New York at the Lone Star Cafe around the late 70's. I expect it is around 77 - 79. It is definately during the time Johnny was experiencing all the glory he got from 'Shove it'.

Anyway, in the band is this fantastic steel player.

I'm sitting and watching this great video and really enjoying the steel playing and thinking this guy is about as good as Lloyd Green from Paychecks earlier stuff and the next thing you see is the steel player getting up and blowing on the Sax!

There is no info on the video box about who is in the band, but if Murph played with Paycheck, this guy must have been Murph.

He has a tattoo on his left arm.

There are still copies of the video available on eBay. Levon Helm and Bo Diddley play as well on it as well.

Just thought I'd drop in and pass on the info.

Matt.

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Matt,

That was Murph, all right. His tattoo was of three scripted "D" letters. I never knew the significance. He was surprised that I could tell they were three letter "D's" but neverd 'fessed up.

Old Murph was a real treasure.

By the way, glad to have you as a member.

Mike

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You have to practice improvisation. -Art Tatum

Mike Dunbar Music

Steel player Smiley Roberts attended Murph's service and he noticed that, in the coffin, they had placed Murph's steel bar in the wrong hand and had his fingerpicks upside down. Smiley corrected this. Now Murph can rest.

Smiley, check me out before they throw the dirt. You're one in a million.

Mike


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You have to practice improvisation. -Art Tatum

Mike Dunbar Music