Michael "Big Dog" Murphy Singer Guitarist from Appleton, WI

Like an old west gunslinger riding into town to ply his craft for any open ears, Murphy weaves the tale of a long life built by hard hours and many miles traveling toward a future bought and paid for by the only guaranteed thing in life - your experiences - and the lessons learned (and sometimes un-learned) from them. Ever the itinerant musician, Murphy has been plying his trade since before much of his current fanbase was born. Those decades of experience have served him and us well. There is nothing "cookie-cutter" about Michael Murphy. This guy has the heart of a poet, the soul of the old-school songster or bluesman, and the ability as a wordsmith and storyteller to bring it all together. These days, his style is considered blues, roots, and Americana. Truth be told, he is simply following his heart. Sitting, guitar in hand, in front of his audience, he closes his eyes and goes on a very personal journey, taking all those within earshot along with him. He proceeds to paint pictures in words and music that allows the listener to share those experiences in vivid detail. His voice, now gravelly as a country road, shows hints of the rich baritone it once was. He is also an exceptional guitarist, making every note count. What listeners find most impressive is his songwriting…soulful, introspective, and brutally honest in his observance of himself and others. Artists of this caliber are rare, to say the least…names like John Prine and Johnny Cash come to mind. In his performances, there is a flavor of a latter-year, Cash-esque outlaw country vibe that stirs the music and the listener's soul.