Wally Murphy: Best player/singer EVER?

Jacek Jakubek · Post by **Jacek Jakubek** » 27 Jan 2020 6:13 am

I discovered Wally Murphy a few months ago from Scotty's Steel Guitar Convention shows posted on this forum and was just blown away by how he can play pedal steel and sing AT THE SAME TIME.

Check out the 1993 Convention here where he starts off (at 00:30) with an amazing vocal/steel tune. At 18:30, he does a stripped down version of the Beatles' "Yesterday:" Just him, the steel, and his bass player singing harmony. Man, I get goosebumps every time I hear the part where the harmony vocal kicks in! Also, check out the 1996 Convention here where he does a couple fantastic singing/playing songs (03:50, and 20:10).

Before discovering Wally Murphy I didn't know this kind of singing/playing done at this level on PSG was possible. I've seen some videos of some guys doing it well (Rusty Young, Joe Wright, even some forum members here) but in my opinion, Wally Murphy takes it to a whole new level. Most other guys sing around their playing, Wally sings on top of it. And what a great, expressive voice! That is something you can't completely learn...the sound of your voice is a gift from God.

They call Wally Murphy "Mr. Flying Fingers" because he can also play extremely fast. That is impressive, but not my thing...It's his singing and playing at the same time that gets me and makes me think WOW!

Anyways, anyone know anything about Wally Murphy? Albums, more recent video links, stories, his current situation? I don't see anything on YouTube of him past 1996, which is a while ago.

I'm especially interested in any instruction or advice on how he can sing and play AT THE SAME TIME so well. My guess is it's probably just "Learn to sing well, learn to play well, and practice doing both at the same time..." but perhaps there's more to it than that, some specific helpful advice. It is something I would like to learn to do.

Any comments appreciated.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 27 Jan 2020 6:41 am

Wally lives and works around Orlando, Florida.

Here's some info: https://www.wmsteelmusic.com/

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 27 Jan 2020 7:12 am

He's quite good at it, isn't he?

Wally's one of the most talented but under-appreciated players out there...because he can (and does) play fast.

I like to consider him the "Joey DeFrancesco of pedal steel". (Joey is world-recognized for his incredible speed and accuracy on the Hammond B3 organ.)

gary pierce · Post by **gary pierce** » 27 Jan 2020 3:19 pm

The first time I saw him was at St. Louis in the early 80's I think, and he played the theme from 2001 Space Odyssey, and was amazing.

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 27 Jan 2020 3:20 pm

gary pierce wrote:The first time I saw him was at St. Louis in the early 80's I think, and he played the theme from 2001 Space Odyssey, and was amazing.

And The William Tell Overture!

gary pierce · Post by **gary pierce** » 27 Jan 2020 3:30 pm

Yes that one too, gee if I had just practiced like Jeff Newman told me to.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 27 Jan 2020 8:12 pm

Wally was my highlight of the ISGC for a lot of years. He always brought his own band and they were tight and well rehearsed. He also plays the saxophone really well.

Jacek Jakubek · Post by **Jacek Jakubek** » 28 Jan 2020 5:45 am

I checked out that website for Wally Murphy and it's good to know he's still playing with a band. Too bad if you try to go to the "Audio" or "Videos" section of the webpage it asks you to log into Facebook to view the content. Strange why you'd want to have a website only available to Facebook users (I never got into Facebook. Don't want it due to the privacy violation issues, selling your personal data, etc.)

Too bad Wally doesn't have any live video clips (at least I havent't found any) of his more recent shows on YouTube. Most gigging bands do nowadays. I guess some people just like to play and don't care for that sort of thing, which is OK.

When you search for "Wally Murphy" on YouTube you also get a guy by the same name playing the banjo. I'm glad Wally didn't ditch the steel guitar for banjo like Bill Keith

I'd love to get my hands on his albums sometime. The website says he recorded 5 albums.

Thanks everyone for sharing.

Frank Freniere · Post by **Frank Freniere** » 28 Jan 2020 6:17 am

Jim Cohen wrote:
gary pierce wrote:The first time I saw him was at St. Louis in the early 80's I think, and he played the theme from 2001 Space Odyssey, and was amazing.
And The William Tell Overture!

And "Exodus" - phew!

Jim Cohen · Post by **Jim Cohen** » 28 Jan 2020 6:26 am

Frank Freniere wrote:
And "Exodus" - phew!

YES!!

David Nugent · Post by **David Nugent** » 28 Jan 2020 7:23 am

Recall several years back hearing, 'Dan Hicks and his Hot Licks' with a pedal steel player and believe that it was Wally (do recall being extremely impressed!). Does anyone recall this or know for certain if it was indeed him.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 28 Jan 2020 7:24 am

Another tune I used to love to hear him play was "Tara's Theme" from "Gone With The Wind". He was always playing new and different stuff which is why I liked hearing him so much. I've heard "Way To Survive" enough to last several lifetimes.

Lynn Stafford · Post by **Lynn Stafford** » 28 Jan 2020 10:14 am

Back around 1982 I went to see Asleep At The Wheel perform here in Portland, Oregon. Watching Wally play absolutely blew me away! I decided to hang around after they were done playing and got to visit with Wally as he was tearing down his rig. He was very friendly and approachable and as it turned out, he was going to stay in town for an extra day and had nothing to do. I invited him to come over to my home and he accepted! I drove down to their motel in Portland and brought him home, where we barbequed a couple of steaks to eat and had a nice visit. He also even showed me a few licks, which I still use to this day! I also remember taking him out to sit in with a couple of local bands. He sure did turn a few heads that night with his playing!

The next time he was in town with the "Wheel" he contacted me and provided free tickets for my then wife and I to attend the show. My wife invited one or her single girlfriends to join us and the four of us went out after the show and had a great time together as I remember.

Larry Dering · Post by **Larry Dering** » 28 Jan 2020 1:08 pm

I seen Wally in St Louis at the ISGC convention. Incredible player and I bought his record aalbum (vinyl) and have it here somewhere.

Jacek Jakubek · Post by **Jacek Jakubek** » 28 Jan 2020 3:46 pm

Great story, Lynn!

J R Rose · Post by **J R Rose** » 29 Jan 2020 6:39 pm

I have been a huge fan of Wally's for years. My first time of seeing him I was working in Fairview Heights, Ill. across the river East from St.Louis and found this Club called Bobbys who was a steel player himself. What a eye opening experience that was. Had some great times their and got to know Wally some. They had a great band. I have seen him several times at Scotty's Show and then I found him in Orlando, Florida a few years ago and what a great reunion. He is still their and is working all the time. Has some new recordings and is still just Wally. BTW, he is the younger brother of Big Jim Murphy fame. I think you can contact him thru the Forum. Keep on picking, J.R. Rose

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 29 Jan 2020 8:50 pm

Wally isn't simply a steel player who sings, he's more of an entertainer who physically and musically demands that audiences pay attention to him. Some of his shows at ISGC in the 80s and 90s were exceptional.

Bud Harger · Post by **Bud Harger** » 14 Feb 2020 6:32 pm

I first met Wally in St Louis in early 80’s. I was there for the Convention and Dewitt Scott took me out to a dance hall where Wally was playing with an artist named “Nick something”. Wally was an avid Dekley devotee at the time.

He blew me away. On the show, he showed up in tuxedo tails and played 2001 Space Odyssey and a couple of other epic songs that I don’t recall.

I have been a fan ever since.

Bud

Kristen Bruno · Post by **Kristen Bruno** » 18 Feb 2020 7:24 pm

He usually does gigs at the local post and Veterans places around my area. I usually catch him about once a month or so. He is very friendly and if I ask him to show me something. he will do it during a break. Next time I see him, I'll ask him to perform something "for the forum" and record it and with his permission, will post it.

K

Jacek Jakubek · Post by **Jacek Jakubek** » 21 Feb 2020 5:14 am

Kristen, maybe you could ask him about any tips on singing while playing steel. That would be great.

It's cool that you can learn from such a good player in person.

Jacek Jakubek · Post by **Jacek Jakubek** » 24 Feb 2020 5:26 am

Really Cool Update:

Kristen asked Wally about any tips he had for singing while playing pedal steel.

Wally mentioned to start with fast songs, and try to keep it simple so you don't have to play too much. Then when you get better at it, you can do more slower songs, which are harder because if you mess up the singing "it sticks out like a sore thumb."

Wally also mentioned that he started singing because he was forced to because his band needed another singer.

I guess you just got to roll up your sleeves and do it...Get better the more you practice.

Thank-You, Kristen! I appreciate it.

Bill Nevins · Post by **Bill Nevins** » 13 Mar 2020 7:21 pm

I go see Wally whenever I get to Florida and he is getting better I think as he ages a little,my wife has some clips of him on her phone but wouldnt post them anywhere without his permission,some people just keep getting better...