Big Jim Murphy

About Steel Guitarists and their Music

Moderator: Shoshanah Marohn

User avatar
Bobby Nelson
Posts: 803
Joined: 21 Apr 2017 6:46 pm
Location: North Carolina, USA

Big Jim Murphy

Post by Bobby Nelson »

Everything I've seen (and there isn't much) of Big Jim Has knocked me out. He seemed to be able to play anything with perfect execution and technique (right up there with Weldon and Lloyd). I always have one question: I wonder why there isn't more of him out there? It seems like a guy this good would've been in demand back in the

https://youtu.be/IvonApgwq1Mday.
User avatar
Richard Sinkler
Posts: 17067
Joined: 15 Aug 1998 12:01 am
Location: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Post by Richard Sinkler »

I'm guessing that you searched YouTube for his name. Here's what came up when I searched.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... jim+murphy
Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, NV400, NV112 . Playing for 53 years and still counting.
User avatar
Bobby Nelson
Posts: 803
Joined: 21 Apr 2017 6:46 pm
Location: North Carolina, USA

Post by Bobby Nelson »

Yup. There is precious little. There is also a 10 minute or so vid called "Loretta 1969" that is great. The band is very tight - I guess she probably commanded that. He was really really good on either E9 or C6 with monster right hand technique. Wonder why he didn't do more.
User avatar
Carl Kilmer
Posts: 2691
Joined: 7 Aug 2008 1:23 pm
Location: East Central, Illinois

Post by Carl Kilmer »

aka "Lucky Kay"--Custom built Rittenberry SD10 3X5, Walker S/S, NV-112, and Hilton Pedal
User avatar
Bob Watson
Posts: 1533
Joined: 30 Aug 2000 12:01 am
Location: Champaign, Illinois, U.S.

Post by Bob Watson »

Pick up Redd Volkeart's CD Telewacker. Redd and Murph were really good friends and Murph's steel playing is very prominent on this recording, which was his 1st solo CD. Also, both him and Redd played with a singer named Ron Sweet. They played at Gabes in Nashville in the 1990's and Ron's singing was as good as it gets. I believe there is a Ron Sweet record with both Murph and Redd on it. IMHO, Big Jim Murphy was one of the best steel players to ever play the instrument. Taste, tone, any style, he could do it all.
User avatar
Bill Cunningham
Posts: 2092
Joined: 6 Aug 1998 12:01 am
Location: Atlanta, Ga. USA

Post by Bill Cunningham »

If you can find the old Stoneway label LP by Dale Potter, Jim is prominently featured. I especially remember a great ride on the back neck on "Dragging The Bow". My dad had that LP but, sorry to say, it disappeared somewhere along the way.


Bill
Bill Cunningham
Atlanta, GA
User avatar
Norman Evans
Posts: 941
Joined: 27 Dec 2005 1:01 am
Location: Tennessee

Post by Norman Evans »

Here's about an hour of him and Redd.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7n6jcSP06w
User avatar
Greg Cutshaw
Posts: 6610
Joined: 17 Nov 1998 1:01 am
Location: Corry, PA, USA
Contact:

Post by Greg Cutshaw »

Johnny Paycheck Family and Friends and Live in NYC. BJM dominates those records and drives the rhythm section too. Also check for a bunch of my old SG Forum posts of BJM with Carl Smith and Hank Thompson.
User avatar
Mike Holder
Posts: 794
Joined: 17 Dec 2002 1:01 am

Post by Mike Holder »

I arrived in Nashville in 98 and Gabe's was the place to go Monday thru Thursday..you'd see Dave Robbins for 2 nights the Big Jim the other 2 with a multiple of guitarists like Redd or Rick Johnston etc. Wolfy's on Weds. To see Jamie Hartford And Roberts across the street with Redd yet again...he is an Incredible guy and player! Big Jim and Redd have played so long together they know what the other guy is going to do by osmosis! I got up to play one night trying to get my name out and was navigating Jm's guitar and trying to play as solid and confidently as possible, Jim comes right up in front of me, watching and listening and I'm trying not to be nervous when all of a sudden out of the blue Jim takes his hand and puts it on my volume pedal foot and slams it to the ground and laughs! I'd been initiated!...welcome to Nashville! Waching them play music together was an education!
I thought Nashville was the roughest, but I know I’ve said the same about them all.
I received my education, drivin through the Nation listenin to Paul!.. ( Franklin that is! )
User avatar
Bobby Nelson
Posts: 803
Joined: 21 Apr 2017 6:46 pm
Location: North Carolina, USA

Post by Bobby Nelson »

I'm with Bob W: he seems as good as any Hall of Famer to me.

Thanks for all of the info on where to here more of him.
User avatar
Roger Rettig
Posts: 10548
Joined: 4 Aug 2000 12:01 am
Location: Naples, FL
Contact:

Post by Roger Rettig »

Wandering into Gabe's by accident in the early-'90s was an education for me, too!

(But I just sat and watched. :) )
Roger Rettig - Emmons D10
(8+9: 'Day' pedals) Williams SD-12 (D13th: 8+6), Quilter TT-12, B-bender Teles and several old Martins.
----------------------------------
Lou Colbert
Posts: 21
Joined: 5 Jan 2009 4:14 pm
Location: Arkansas, USA

Post by Lou Colbert »

Austin based Haybale..CD Live from 1-A,,Lot's of good Murph on it especially Midnight in Amarillo!!!
User avatar
Jim Fogarty
Posts: 1382
Joined: 14 Dec 1999 1:01 am
Location: Phila, Pa, USA
Contact:

Post by Jim Fogarty »

Greg Cutshaw wrote:Johnny Paycheck Family and Friends and Live in NYC. BJM dominates those records and drives the rhythm section too.
Any other good Paycheck recordings he's on?
Michael Weaver
Posts: 343
Joined: 29 Apr 2005 12:01 am
Location: Buffalo Grove, IL

Post by Michael Weaver »

Look for "Johnny Paycheck Live at Gilley's" I have the cd and Murph is all over it.
Jack Aldrich
Posts: 1004
Joined: 30 Apr 2010 4:59 pm
Location: Washington, USA

Post by Jack Aldrich »

I saw him with Asleep At The Wheel about 20 years ago, He had his ShoBud D8, a medium scale Stringmaster and a tenor sax. He blew me away!
Jack Aldrich
Carter & ShoBud D10's
D8 & T8 Stringmaster
Rickenbacher B6
3 Resonator guitars
Asher Alan Akaka Special SN 6
Canopus D8
Jack Aldrich
Posts: 1004
Joined: 30 Apr 2010 4:59 pm
Location: Washington, USA

Post by Jack Aldrich »

That's a D10 ShoBud!
Jack Aldrich
Carter & ShoBud D10's
D8 & T8 Stringmaster
Rickenbacher B6
3 Resonator guitars
Asher Alan Akaka Special SN 6
Canopus D8
Ben Lawson
Posts: 2723
Joined: 22 Jul 1999 12:01 am
Location: Brooksville Florida

Post by Ben Lawson »

In Sellersville Pa. Murph was wih Asleep At The Wheel and I have never heard more music come out of a non-pedal steel as I did that night!
User avatar
Bobby Nelson
Posts: 803
Joined: 21 Apr 2017 6:46 pm
Location: North Carolina, USA

Post by Bobby Nelson »

I'd like to hear what he could do on a non-pedal.
User avatar
Donald Horne
Posts: 39
Joined: 3 Mar 2015 10:24 am
Location: Huntington Beach, California, USA

Post by Donald Horne »

his playing on that show at the airport with Red is the reason I sold my S-10 and only have doubles, his C6 skills are amazing especially on sections most people would play the E9, I've never understood how he's not more of a house hold name in the steel community, my favorite by far!!!!
Emmons SKH
User avatar
Greg Cutshaw
Posts: 6610
Joined: 17 Nov 1998 1:01 am
Location: Corry, PA, USA
Contact:

Post by Greg Cutshaw »

I've posted these before but these are some choice cuts including one from Hank Thompson's Cab Driver Mills Brothers tribute album: and some feature Jim's sax playing:


http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Samples/27%20Track%2027.mp3

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Samples/26%20Track%2026.wma

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Samples/Cab%20Driver.mp3

http://www.gregcutshaw.com/Samples/28%20Track%2028.wma

Oops guess last one is actually Julian Thorpe and Zane Beck (how can I delete that!)
User avatar
Ricky Davis
Posts: 10964
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Bertram, Texas USA
Contact:

Post by Ricky Davis »

Well first off; I miss Murph so much. Ok ya'll ready for this?? Many didn't know how Murph's C6 copedent was set up; but the last few years Big Jim lived here in Austin area before he passed....I set up and changed strings and tweeked all of Murph's Pedal steels; and they all were>

Sho~bud D-10 Pro II barrel tuning 10 pedals 8 knees; that was originally built for Doug J. but was turned over to Murph after Doug played it for a year(then when I got it; I restored it for him and it's pictured below). It was a Two tone; Green apron and necks and clear/blonde top.

Sho~bud Pro II Custom that Dick Miller did a custom finish and inlay and a "Leaf" on the front....that you will see me playing below; as Murph let me play it for a year while he played his new Bethal(I also set up for him).
So here is his D-10 Copedent that was on All of his pedal steels and below that is the Pro~II Barrel tuning Two-tone I restored for Big Jim) And me playing his special Pro~II Custom done by Dick Miller.

Image

Image

Image

Image
Ricky Davis
RIP Big Jim
Ricky Davis
Email Ricky: sshawaiian2362@gmail.com
User avatar
Jim Fogarty
Posts: 1382
Joined: 14 Dec 1999 1:01 am
Location: Phila, Pa, USA
Contact:

Post by Jim Fogarty »

Donald Horne wrote:his playing on that show at the airport with Red is the reason I sold my S-10 and only have doubles, his C6 skills are amazing especially on sections most people would play the E9,
Agreed. Watching that was really the main thing in me wanting to eventually get a D-10.

I wish Redd would take those recordings and release a live cd.
User avatar
Bobby Nelson
Posts: 803
Joined: 21 Apr 2017 6:46 pm
Location: North Carolina, USA

Post by Bobby Nelson »

I'm with you Donald. That's what this post was about: Why isn't he more well known, and why isn't there more of him to hear? I almost hate to say this but, I don't think anyone but maybe Emmons could keep up with his chops.

Thanks Ricky, as always, that's a lot of really fine info - man was hid C6 extensive! If you have any stories about him, please share!

The first thing I saw was the Paycheck at the Lone Star thing and I was thinking, my God this guy has a never ending supply of licks. So I looked around and found the Loretta 1969 thing (my favorite), and the Austin airport thing. I must admit, the reason I definitely wanted a D10 with the C6, was because of John Hughey - another C6 monster. John is the one that got the PSG so far up in me to begin with, and, the only one I've really been listening to for 40 yrs - until the last year or so. The Dickey Betts album with him got me into it. But the airport thing is really really good, and, had I heard it, I would have been with you guys.

I have to take back the statement above I think: I've been listening to Greg's stuff (thanks for that by the way Greg) and just heard a lick on the last one that I think would take Buddy Emmons around the block - he may have had the best chops ever!
User avatar
Jim Fogarty
Posts: 1382
Joined: 14 Dec 1999 1:01 am
Location: Phila, Pa, USA
Contact:

Post by Jim Fogarty »

Jim Fogarty wrote:I wish Redd would take those recordings and release a live cd.
Well, I took matters into my own hands.......errr, mouse.

For anyone that wants it, here are all the music tracks, edit'd and labelled, from the Redd and Murph at Austin airport video.

I may not keep it up forever, so download it soon.

Enjoy!

http://www.jimfogarty.com/tunes/reddmurphaustin/
User avatar
Greg Cutshaw
Posts: 6610
Joined: 17 Nov 1998 1:01 am
Location: Corry, PA, USA
Contact:

Post by Greg Cutshaw »

Speaking of copedants, when I first met Jim he was playing with Hank Thompson at a bowling alley on Grand Island, NY in 1971. Total audience was 4 people including me! He played a lot of Merle Travis finger style riffs when Hank sang and since it was only a 4 piece band, Murph's sound was way out front. He told me what his tuning was.I thought it had to be something really unique to play all that stuff. He said, "kid, nothing special here. My C6 tuning is just like yours except I dropped the high G string and added a string on the bottom." At some point it appears that he went back to a standard C6 open tuning. Wally Murphy plays a lot of the same style stuff and also has a great tone in person.

Dick Miller also let me play Murph's Bethel guitar for a few hours when I was at Dick's trailer/shop. What a great person he was to let me do that! Truly an awesome guitar with smooth mechanics.
Post Reply