Trevor Murray will release his debut album "Leave it Up to Me" in April 2012.
With his catchy songwriting and fresh take on traditional country music, Trevor Murray is an artist to watch in the Canadian country scene.
Murray‘s music is well versed in tradition. A longtime fan of country music, Murray‘s sound is a combination of musical and family influences. ”I was born in [Cloverdale, British Columbia], but my family moved to [White Rock, British Columbia], when I was four. There’s just a lot of good people out there,” says Murray.
“I listened to a lot of different music growing up. On car rides [my family and I would] always be listening to Waylon Jennings and George Jones tapes. Country was around, I was also into rock and Pearl Jam too growing up, but the country kings just kinda stuck with me.”
Murray speaks with a trademark drawl that is unlike his fellow Fraser Valley residents. His twangy voice translates into his singing style, giving Murray a rich vocal range that is unlike his contemporaries. Murray attributes his unique way of talking to his father.
“My dad was from Windsor, Ontario, a border town. Everywhere he went people were always asking him if he was from the States. I get the same thing wherever I go. Neither of us are faking, it’s just part of us,” he says.
When he begins to detail his music career, Murray‘s passion for great songs and live performances comes through. ”Whether I was living at home or wherever, I was always singing. I was a pretty shy kid growing up, but when I was about 20 or 21 I started working with some people. I learned to play guitar over the years at parties and stuff, sorta came out of my shell a little more,” he says.
“It’s all about playing songs that people can relate to. Whether its families, little three and four year-old kids dancing in front of the stage, or driving music.” says Murray.
Murray founded the Murray Band in 2008 with John Grant, Jim Ingram and Noel Peters. The Murray Band released an album, Down this Road, in October 2008.
After a few years of playing in the Fraser Valley and Lower Mainland of B.C., the Murray Band went on hiatus. Murray says, “”The guys in the Murray Band are supportive [of my solo career], they’re all busy guys. Life gets in the way sometimes, y’know?”
Murray will release his debut album, Leave it Up to Me, on April 17, 2012. The album will be available on iTunes and CDBaby.
“Leave it Up to Me is a collection of 11 original songs and I feel real good about it,” Murray says. The album is a mixture of all his influences, and features a cowrite on the song “Louise” with former Murray Band member Noel Peters.”‘Louise‘ is kind of a throwback tune. Noel wrote the music way back. He played me the song a while ago and I came back with the words a couple of days later,” says Murray.
When asked about the recording process behind the album, Murray says, ”I just realized it was time for me to take a shot.
“I went down to Nashville, my wife came with me. It was a great experience. I worked with Dan Drilling from Panda Productions. What’s cool about Dan is that he was one of Randy Travis‘ first guitar players, but I think for the last 20 years or so he’s been Jimmy C. Newman‘s guitar player on the Grand Ole Opry stage. He played some guitar on my album as well.”
Playing with some of Nashville‘s elite session musicians was only a part of his time in Music City, USA. Murray soaked in the night life and music scene every chance he could.
“It was a dream come true. I love the live music scene on Broadway. On city block there’s maybe 15 to 20 bars that are playing my kind of music. George Jones, Dwight Yoakam, just good music. No cover charge. You got one or two dollar beers. If you’re tired of the music you just walk next door, leave a few bucks cause they all play for tips down there, and hear a new band,” says Murray.
Once the album is released, Murray will play a series of shows throughout B.C.. ”I’ll work this new album as far as I can,” he says.
“I’m opening for Crystal Shawanda at the Cascades Casino in Langley, British Columbia on April 26. 93.7 JRfm and Rock.It Boy Entertainment are co-sponsoring the event. I’m really excited about that opportunity, it’s gonna be a fun show.
“We’re also playing July 14 and 15 at the Township 7 Vineyards & Winery in Langley to support the Fibromyalgia Wellspring Foundation.”
His shows at the Township 7 Vineyards represent the charitable side of Murray‘s personality. “If there’s an opportunity to help out a good cause than we like to do so,” he says.
“The country community in B.C. is a really tight group. We all rally around each other. One of the first gigs the Murray Band ever did was at the Crescent Beach Legion to support a little girl named Ella-Ray Lewis [who was battling skin cancer]. Those are the kinds of gigs we like to play.”
“We’ve all got to help each other. The music industry isn’t necessary an easy thing all the time.”
Check out Trevor Murray‘s “Faster Every Time” from his forthcoming album, Leave it Up to Me.
Stay tuned to everything Trevor Murray at www.trevor-murray.com!
-2012, radiowrangler
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