"Roots music, plays a role today by connecting us to our cultural roots and reminding us of our shared experiences. In a fast-paced world, roots music provides a sense of grounding. It celebrates diversity, hopefully bridges divides, and understanding for people from different backgrounds. It's a timeless reminder of the power of music to bring us all together."

Shaun Murphy: The Voice of America

Shaun Murphy is an American Blues and R&B singer songwriter, best known for her powerhouse singing style. Her recording career started in 1971 with Motown Records. Murphy shared the stage with many Detroit-based bands, in venues such as Detroit's Grande Ballroom, as well as the first Ann Arbor Blues Festival in 1969. She was soon noticed by an employee of Motown in a touring theater production along with Texas native Meat Loaf. The two were signed by Rare Earth Records, a division of Motown Records, as Stoney and Meatloaf in 1971. The pairing was short-lived, and became defunct. Only Murphy was retained under contract after the breakup of the duo. After a period of inactivity with the new division of Motown in Los Angeles, she left Motown and contacted Detroit music producer Punch Andrews for possible opportunities. Murphy then relocated back to Detroit in 1973 to work with Bob Seger. She has continued to with Seger on studio session work since 1973, in addition to all of his tours since 1978.

(Shaun Murphy / Photo by © Melissa DelRossi)

She returned again to live in Los Angeles in 1985 while working with Eric Clapton on his Behind the Sun album. Murphy was then offered a position by Clapton as a member of his band for the tour. The Behind The Sun tour was featured at the first Live Aid concert in 1985. Murphy's career in vocals has been both as band lead singer and session singer. She has sung, toured, and recorded with such acts as the Moody Blues, Bob Seger, Herbie Hancock, Phil Collins, Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, Maria Muldaur, Bruce Hornsby, Michael Bolton, J.J. Cale, Coco Montoya, Alice Cooper, Chuck Brown, Little Feat, and rock musicals, Hair and Sgt. Pepper's. She released the albums: Livin' The Blues (2009), The Trouble With Lovin' (2010), Live at Callahan's (DVD/Live, 2011), Ask for the Moon" (2012), Cry Of Love (2013), Loretta (2015), 3 O’Clock Blues (2015), It Won’t Stop Raining (2016), Mighty Gates (2017), Reason to Try (2019), Flame Still Burns (2020), and her latest 12-tracks album I’m Coming Home (2023), mixing blues, rock, soul and Americana, new stuff and some covers. She sings with passion, an amazing performer and her band is up to the task of supporting her. They are all outstanding musicians in their own right. Longtime Little Feat collaborator Shaun Murphy features as guest singer on “Wang Dang Doodle”, a bonus track from Little Feat’s ‘Sam’s Place’ (2024) album. 

Interview by Michael Limnios                   Archive: Shaun Murphy, 2020 Interview

How do you think that you have grown as an artist since you first started making music? What has remained the same about your music-making process?

As an artist, I've grown in many ways over the years, since I first started. My songwriting keeps evolving, my vocal delivery has gotten more defined, although I’ve always had a ‘take no prisoners’ delivery as a performer. However, what's remained the same is my focus on great material that can trigger emotions, both through me, and to the audience. The core of my music will always be, staying true to myself, and connecting with listeners.

What has been the hardest obstacle for you to overcome as a person and as artist and has this helped you become a better musician?

One of the hardest things for me to overcome has been a lot of self-doubt. As a person and as an artist, doubts about my abilities and whether my music would resonate with others was tough, and still is. However, overcoming this hurdle has definitely made me a better musician. It forced me to believe in myself, and push through challenges. It's taught me the importance of trusting my instincts.      (Shaun Murphy / Photo © by Alan Hare)

"The blues is crucial because it's a vital part of musical heritage. The blues tells stories of struggle, resilience, and triumph, love gone wrong, and reflection. By keeping the blues alive, we honor the musicians who paved the way and ensures that future can appreciate its rich history and depth."

What moment changed your music life the most? How do you want the music to affect people?

That moment was probably when I performed live for the first time. I think it was for 10,000 people in a small festival in Detroit. Feeling the energy of the crowd and seeing how my music could move people was incredibly overwhelming… As for how I want my music to affect people, I hope it serves as some kind of window in people’s lives, something that could or has happened to them, or in their world somehow. Ultimately, I want my music to resonate with listeners on a deep level and leave a lasting impression.

Do you have any interesting stories about the making of “I’m Coming Home” (2023)? Is there a message you are trying to convey with your songs/music?

"I'm Coming Home" was a special album to create. One interesting story was when we recorded the title track. My producer, Kevin McKendree and I were at his studio, and he just started playing some piano, and the words came almost like a pipeline… I couldn’t write them fast enough! I ended up making very minimal changes, and away we went. At first, we were going to have it be just piano and vocal, but my manager, TC Davis had a fantastic idea to try a cello, and ‘that’s all she wrote’, as they say. I decided include songs from some of my very special friends to fill out the rest of the CD, and I was so grateful for their terrific contributions!!

How did you hook up with the band of Little Feat and how did that relationship come about?

I met Paul Barrere in LA many years ago when he was working in a band called Chicken Legs, and working with another friend of mine, Catfish Hodge. Later, I met Bill Payne and Fred Tackett on the 1986 Bob Seger tour. In 1988, Little feat had gotten back together, and they called me and Bob Seger in to do some back grounds on their first reunion CD, Let It Roll. They subsequently had me on the next three CD’s, Representing the Mambo, and Shake Me Up. At which point Craig Fuller decided to leave the band. In 1993 Bill and Paul called me to come in and do some preproduction on some songs they’d been working on. By then we were all great friends, so the second day of getting together, they asked me if I could help them work a particular song out, as they were having some confusion on how the track would sound. I came back the next day, did a ruff vocal of the song for them, and then and there, they asked me to join the band! That was the beginning of a 15+ year run as a full member of Little Feat…

"As an artist, I've grown in many ways over the years, since I first started. My songwriting keeps evolving, my vocal delivery has gotten more defined, although I’ve always had a ‘take no prisoners’ delivery as a performer. However, what's remained the same is my focus on great material that can trigger emotions, both through me, and to the audience. The core of my music will always be, staying true to myself, and connecting with listeners." (Shaun Murphy with Little Feat / Photo © by Murray Close)

Do you have any interesting studio sessions stories about the making of single “Wang Dang Doodle” from new album “Sam’s Place” of Little Feat?

Bill Called me and told me they were planning to do a Blues album, and have Sam Clayton be the front man on all the songs, which I thought was a stellar idea! About a month or so later, Bill called me back and asked if I would sing one of the songs with Sam, which turned out to be from two of my favorites: Willie Dixon (writer) and Ms. Koko Taylor. I immediately said yes, and as logistics would have it, (they were touring at the time.) they had to book a session with a local Nashville studio for me to get it in in time for the album.

Why do you think that Koko Taylor’s music legacy continues to generate such a devoted following? What do you love most about Willie Dixon’s song “Wang Dang Doodle”?

Both Koko Taylor and Willie Dixon are timeless and are two of the most legendary artists to come out of the modern Blues genre! I know, for me, singers like Koko, Big Mama Thornton, and Etta James have been my muses since before I started singing Blues. They are all one of a kind, the kind of voices that cannot be duplicated, a tip of the hat of acknowledgement is what I strive for.

Are there any specific memories or highlights of your career with Little Feat that you would like to tell us about?!

I would be hard-pressed to narrow down a few stand-out memories… Being with the band for 15+ years was an experience like no other. What more could you ask for? I got to tour the world with my friends, sing great songs, and write with gifted musicians!!!

What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

I’m writing much more now and have 11 solo CD’s under my belt as The Shaun Murphy Band. I write with members of my band as well as some good friends. They all keep me current on todays topics. Every day can bring some new ideas, straight out of today’s crazy world…there’s never a dull moment!!

"I focus on a few key things. First, I make sure to take care of my physical health through regular exercise, proper nutrition, and plenty of rest. Second, Warming up is absolutely essential, if I have the availability, I like to warm up for at least a half an hour practicing deep breathing and vocal exercises to center myself and stay grounded. Lastly, I surround myself with a supportive community. Whether it's my bandmates, friends, having a strong support system keeps me motivated and inspired, both musically and spiritually." (Shaun Murphy on stage with Tommy Stillwell / Photo © by Bob Krause)

Why is it important to preserve and spread the blues? What is the role of Roots Music in today’s society?

The blues is crucial because it's a vital part of musical heritage. The blues tells stories of struggle, resilience, and triumph, love gone wrong, and reflection. By keeping the blues alive, we honor the musicians who paved the way and ensures that future can appreciate its rich history and depth.

Roots music, plays a role today by connecting us to our cultural roots and reminding us of our shared experiences. In a fast-paced world, roots music provides a sense of grounding. It celebrates diversity, hopefully bridges divides, and understanding for people from different backgrounds. It's a timeless reminder of the power of music to bring us all together.

What does to be a female artist in a “Man’s World” as James Brown says? What is the status of women in music?

The world has opened to all performers, women will always have a place. Sometimes, I hear some ‘sour grapes’ from female artists, about how the testosterone is keeping them down, but I say, check yourself….do you really have what it takes? Are you serving up real talent, or just playing at it? You’ve got to hit it, and hit it hard, otherwise, just step away….

What is the impact of Blues and Soul music and culture to the racial, political and socio-cultural implications?

I believe that all music is idiosyncratically meshed with race, politics, and have attributes for social cultural ebb and flow all through the ages. All you have to do is listen to the progression of lyrics and the tone of the music to see that music encompasses everything that’s relevant in every period of time.

"One of the hardest things for me to overcome has been a lot of self-doubt. As a person and as an artist, doubts about my abilities and whether my music would resonate with others was tough, and still is. However, overcoming this hurdle has definitely made me a better musician. It forced me to believe in myself, and push through challenges. It's taught me the importance of trusting my instincts." (Photo: Shaun Murphy & Meatloaf as "Stoney and Meatloaf", 1971)

How do you prepare for your recordings and performances to help you maintain both spiritual and musical stamina?

I focus on a few key things. First, I make sure to take care of my physical health through regular exercise, proper nutrition, and plenty of rest. Second, Warming up is absolutely essential, if I have the availability, I like to warm up for at least a half an hour practicing deep breathing and vocal exercises to center myself and stay grounded. Lastly, I surround myself with a supportive community. Whether it's my bandmates, friends, having a strong support system keeps me motivated and inspired, both musically and spiritually.

Are there any specific memories or highlights by your Detroit era that you would like to tell us about?!

Ah, my Detroit era holds some special memories! One highlight was performing at a legendary 1969 Ann Arbor Blues Festival. The energy in the crowd was electric, and I felt like I it changed my musical trajectory when I saw Big Mama Thornton perform, there was no one like her then, or ever since!

Another standout memory was meeting Eric Clapton and Bob Seger on the same night. Later being able to work with both of them! They are two of the most prolific individuals I’ve ever met, I learned so, so much! I had such a full music life in Detroit, and it will forever and always hold a special meaning for me…

Life is more than just music, is there any other field that has influence on your life and music?

I'm an avid reader, and the stories, themes, and emotions found in books often find themselves in my songwriting. I’m also a seamstress, and make about 80% of my stage clothes, it also, frees my thoughts, sort of an ‘interesting meditation’ comes to mind, or, I guess it’s my escape, a kind of stress reliever, and a cleanser, if you will… I love my life, I will be forever grateful for everything I’ve accomplished, and will accomplish in the future, no plans to ever retire, just continue to soak it all in and give what I have to give!!!

Shaun Murphy - Home

(Shaun Murphy / Photo © by Kurt Foor & Susan Walker)