HOME | MUSIC EVENTS | FAMILY EVENTS | ART EVENTS
THEATRE | MOVIES | UPCOMING EVENTS
ARCHIVES | ABOUT | ADVERTISE | CONTACT | DISTRIBUTION
entertaining u newspaper: your monthly guide to entertainment
<< Bubba's Shrimp and Grits Fest | Main | Michael Burks >>
country music’s hit-maker
interview with David Lee Murphy
by rick grant    rickgrant01@comcast.net

What: David Lee Murphy live with Whiskey Falls
Where: Jacksonville Landing
When: September 14 @ 8 pm

      David Lee Murphy is in the enviable position of being a sought-after songwriter for other big-time artists including Kenny Chesney, Gary Allan, Trick Pony, Brad Paisley, Brooks and Dunn and many other hit-makers. Murphy writes songs from his farm in the rural part of Tennessee. He also goes out on tour 50 dates a year with loyal following.
      Murphy has written such classic songs as ‘Dust on the Bottle, Party Crowd’ and ‘The Road You Leave Behind.’ He co-wrote the current Blake Sheldon single ‘The More I Drink,’ which has become an unofficial party anthem for 2007. He also co-wrote the smash hit single for Gary Allan ‘A Feeling Like That.’ Last year, Murphy co-wrote the number one single for Kenny Chesney’s Living in Fast Forward.
      To find out more about David Lee Murphy EU caught up to him at his home in rural Tennessee.


EU: Are you continually writing hit songs for other artists?
David Lee Murphy: Yes, I’m primarily a songwriter, which is the best of both worlds. I do enjoy going out on tour. I love to travel and connect with fans and meet new people. Heck, I could write songs from Jacksonville Beach if I wanted. But I have a loving family which I cherish and I love being with them. So it’s a balanced compromise to play out just enough to get my adrenaline pumping then return home.


EU: Family is the reason we work hard and make sacrifices. In your case, you have achieved the perfect balance of performing and writing songs for other artists. After all, songwriting is everything in popular music. Everyone is looking for great songs. You have a knack for writing hit songs, is that a gift?
DLM: Absolutely, I’m blessed to have this talent, but I also work hard at it. I try to come up with songwriting ideas every day. Now people have high expectations of me, and I feel an obligation to continue to write hit songs. But, in this business, being an in-demand songwriter is a great position to be in. But when I go out on the road I interact with my own fans, which is gratifying.


EU: Tell me about the show you’re bringing to the Landing on September 14th?
DLM: This is my unplugged show. I’m bringing a fiddle and mandolin player from my regular band. We are looking forward to jamming and having a good time. Two years ago, I performed on the Landing stage with my full band and we had a blast. So, it should be a lot of fun. I like Jacksonville and the fans are great. I’ve worked closely with the radio station 99.9 FM Gator Country with Program Director, Jeff Davis, who is a close friend of mine.


      Murphy came off as a fine gentleman who will always have a job as a songwriter with his phenomenal track record of hits. It was a true pleasure for me to chat with David Lee Murphy, and it could be your pleasure to enjoy some of his music from his own lips at the Gator Country Free Concert Series at the Jacksonville Landing on September 14th.

Entertaining U Newspaper, eujacksonville.com. Published by N2U Publishing, Inc. 3101 University Blvd., South #201 Jacksonville, FL 32216. Copyright N2U Publishing, Inc. 2006. Reproduction of any artwork or copy prepared by N2U Publishing, Inc. is strictly prohibited without written consent of the publisher. We will not be responsible for errors and/or omissions, the Publisher's liability for error will not exceed the cost of space occupied by the error. Articles for publication are welcome and may be sent to the following address: 3101 University Blvd., South #201 Jacksonville, FL 32216. We cannot assume responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts and photographs. For information concerning classified advertising phone 904-730-3003.