Dwight Murdy

When asked whether he considered himself primarily a songwriter or a musician, Dwight Murdy responded ‘An entertainer’. And these days Murdy spends 24/7 honing his talent and learning to market himself as just that. ‘My favorite kind of show is a Country concert, people that buy tickets and come are a listening crowd.’ But though Murdy is presently concentrating on packaging himself as a mainstream country act, the next bluegrass or Branson style variety show gig is never far away.

Dwight came to Bowling Green in 1999 by invitation of his sister who he has collaborated with on several projects. Already well established on the Branson circuit, Murdy wanted to relocated close to music city and kick-start his solo career. He has since grown a deep attachment to the area and plans to make it his homebase both for now, as he beats the pavement on music row with his recently self-released CD ‘Show Me State Of Mind’, and later as his retreat from life on the road. It is his ultimate goal to be on the road full time ‘meeting new people and putting on a show for them. The excitement of an audience with a full band and full sound – that’s when I come alive. That’s what my life’s all about.’

And it’s no secret where Murdy acquired both his musical talent and his love for the road. Born in 1972 the son of a Pentecostal Evangelist, Dwight spent his early years traveling from revival to revival and performing gospel music with his family. His father bought him his first mandolin at age three, which he laughs ‘I could play by age eight’. Based in his hometown of Willow Springs Missouri, ‘The Murdy Family’ played regularly for six years at Silver Dollar City in Branson beginning when Dwight was twelve. His father, who according to Murdy can ‘play everything and write songs too’, also played with several Gospel and Bluegrass bands, most regularly Floyd White and the Country Music Boys. Dwight would like to someday record the song ‘The Yank and The Rebel’ with words by his father and music by he and his sister Nancy. However the song was considered potentially controversial by close advisors and was not chosen for his first solo release.

Dwight’s mother also plays several instruments and sings as do all of his siblings (four brothers and two sisters). Combined their current endeavors range from rock and blues to jazz piano and of course gospel and bluegrass.

At fifteen Dwight joined First Impression, a four piece bluegrass band. Over the course of nine years the group produced six albums and its members received accolades and awards including Spbgma’s Album of the year in 1996 (for Turn It Over To Jesus), Banjo picker of the year five years in a row, and played on Crook and Chase. Dwight was twice nominated as Spbgma’s songwriter of the year. After his fourth year with the group, Dwight took a leave of absence for two years to play Shepard of the Hills in Branson which featured up to twelve shows a day, six days a week. Then later he once again took a hiatus to play for the season at Mark Sexton’s Star World Show Room where he was a dancer, emcee, instrumentalist and singer. After rejoining the band for the final time, Dwight decided that though their gig book was full, their careers just no longer seemed to be advancing and he relocated his family to Northern Missouri where he opened a corner store and pizza parlor. Every Friday night became a jam session, but the music died when after two years his eight year marriage ended in divorce.

His sister Nancy, who was living in Bowling Green, invited him down to participate in the making of her album on Bandit records. Dwight decided to work on his own album and was introduced to Joe Hendrick who became his road manager and co producer of his recent release. Recorded at Star Studios, the album features five songs penned by Murdy (two colloborations with sister Nancy Logsden and one with Joe Hendrick) as well as three by Nashville songwriters CB Carter and James Horn. C.B. Carter, who’s most recent success is the song Diddley, currently on the charts, is working to help Murdy’s career along by introducing him to the Nashville network as well as offering him songs such as ‘Hollywood Georgia’ originally written for Hank Williams Jr, which has gotten some notice on Music Row. Murdy enjoyed recording at Star Studios ‘Sean has a good ear. He sets the mood for you and it is very professional. His studio is the most comfortable studio I’ve been in.’ CB Carter told him ‘I am impressed, I never thought an album coming out of Kentucky could have that much clarity.’ However, Murdy is taking some flack over not recording in Nashville using Nashvillian talent. The road to stardom like anything else is a process of politicking and Murdy is busy learning the ins and outs. He hates when people talk about ‘selling out’. ‘It’s nice to be artistic and all, but there has to be a business side to every career move to achieve your goals There has to be compromise to advance.’ So Dwight doesn’t mind learning to ‘write to formula’ to achieve his ends or recording more established writer’s songs.

He did however take the opportunity on his self released album to feature his country tear-jerker Show Me State Of Mind. Though it is his most requested song, it is not one that his advisors feel has commercial potential. It describes a phone call in the middle of the night from his daughter back in Missouri who has been awakened by a nightmare. She calls her father for reassurance and to sing a song together.

Show Me State of Mind also features a plethora of area talent including Joe Whittinghill (fiddle), Jim Massey (steel guitar), John Martin (electric guitar), Mitchell Plumlee (drums), Jimmy Smith (bass), Travis Miller (keyboard), John Coker (organ), Dwight Murdy (acoustic guitar/vocals) and Brian Oots and Darla Day on backup vocals.

His album release party will take place June 15, 6:30pm at Cumberland where he is regularly featured on Songwriter’s Night with host Susan Morris. The album can be purchased in Bowling Green at Cumberland Grille, Musician’s Pro and Rita’s Pub, in Auburn at VanMeter’s Garage and Bill’s Country Cafe and in Franklin at Pott’s Hickery Flatts store.

In addition Dwight keeps busy entertaining tour buses coming through town with his Branson Comes to Bowling Green Show. Featuring Brenda and Randall Johnson, William Dunning, Jimmy Smith, Mitchell Plumlee and Jim Massey, it offers a variety of entertainment from gospel, country and bluegrass to comedy and dancing, depending on the audience. And that’s how Dwight likes to work, customizing his show for each audience, always keeping things new and entertaining with just a touch of flash. At home on banjo, fiddle, dobro, mandolin, acoustic guitar, upright bass, electric bass, electric guitar, lap steel, drums, saw and mountain dulcimer and with a presence on over one hundred albums to date, Murdy has a vast array of options to offer audiences.

Dwight Murdy continues to learn the business and write everyday. He has recently penned his favorite song to date ‘I’m In Like With You’ about two kids who discover ‘we’re acting more like grown ups everyday’. His songs are often inspired by the people in his life and an unexpected turn of phrase, like his son’s recent remark ‘Someday I’m gonna be a dad and your gonna be a pa’. And though he’s known for a tear jerker, his preference in singing and in life is to keep smiling. From a line in one of his songs ‘Keep smiling whatever happens in this life keep smiling’, Dwight chose his motto ‘keep smiling’, which he includes with all his autographs. ‘Bad things happen, grit your teeth because it’s a hurting world. Every time I write it they look and smile and the’s my little gift.’ And Dwight Murdy is spreading the word wherever he can right now, trying to make sure no one forgets the name of the ‘redneck, urban dressed cowboy, beer drinking country boy that loves George Jones.’

Look for him at the Cumberland Grill every other Tuesday and in showcase shows ‘They’re good people and I love their chicken tenders, they have the best in the country’, in between trips to Missouri for festivals and concerts. He has a website in the works and has already begun work on a second release out of Nashville. And as always, plans are in the works for a variety of show and personal appearances. For more information or to order a CD email Dwight at emurdy01@aol.com.

Don Thomason is a writer and musician living in Dunbar. Visit him at www.myspace.com/donthomasonmusic