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Shaun Murphy | |
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 Shaun Murphy | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Stoney |
| Born | (1948-05-06)May 6, 1948 (age 77) Omaha, Nebraska, United States |
| Genres | Rock,blue-eyed soul,blues,gospel |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Years active | 1969–present |
| Labels | Motown |
Shaun Murphy (born May 6, 1948) is an American blues and R&B singer songwriter, best known for her powerhouse singing style.[1] Sometimes credited asStoney, her recording career started in 1971 withMotown Records.[2][3]
Murphy shared the stage with many Detroit-based bands, including Wilson Mower Pursuit andJake Wade and the Soul Searchers, in venues such as Detroit'sGrande Ballroom, as well as the firstAnn Arbor Blues Festival in 1969, along with various large state fairground music venues. She was soon noticed by an employee ofMotown in a touring theater production along with Texas nativeMeat Loaf.[4][5][6][7] The two were signed byRare Earth Records, a division of Motown Records, asStoney and Meatloaf in 1971. That pairing was short-lived and became defunct, although they had previously also been fellow cast members of the Detroit production ofHair. Only Murphy was retained under contract after the breakup of the duo.[4][5][6][7]
After a period of inactivity with the new division of Motown in Los Angeles, she left Motown and contacted Detroit music producerPunch Andrews for possible opportunities.[8] Murphy then relocated back to Detroit in 1973 to work withBob Seger.[9] She has continued to work with Seger in the studio since 1973, in addition to performing on all of his tours since 1978.[9]
She returned again to live in Los Angeles in 1985 while working withEric Clapton on hisBehind the Sun album.[8] Murphy joined Clapton's band for the ensuing tour, which includedLive Aid.
Murphy's career in vocals has been both as band lead singer and session singer. She has sung, toured, and recorded with such acts asthe Moody Blues,Bob Seger,Herbie Hancock,Phil Collins,Glenn Frey,Joe Walsh,Maria Muldaur,Bruce Hornsby,Michael Bolton,Coco Montoya,Alice Cooper,Little Feat androck musicals,Hair andSgt. Pepper's, etc.
In 1993, she became a full-time member of the Los Angeles–based bandLittle Feat.[10][11] She stayed on for the next fifteen years, recording and touring with them until 2009.[12][10][11]
In September 2009the Shaun Murphy Band released the albumLivin' The Blues. A second album,The Trouble With Lovin', followed in 2010. Late in 2011, Murphy released a DVD and live album both titledShaun Murphy Live at Callahan's, recorded at Callahan's Music Hall,Auburn Hills, Michigan.
Her albumAsk for the Moon, released in 2012,[13] was nominated for threeGrammy Awards[citation needed] and won two Blues Blast music awards. She releasedCry Of Love in 2013.Loretta was released in February 2015.Mighty Gates was released in October 2017 on Vision Wall Records.
Murphy was nominated for the 2020 Independent Blues Award in five categories: Contemporary Blues CD, Female Artist, Traditional Blues Song, RNB Song, and Road Warrior.[14]
Murphy's latest album, entitledI'm Coming Home, was released on June 5, 2023.
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