COURTNEY MURPHY & MURPHY'S LORE

Courtney Murphy - Vocals / Piano

It seems all too easy to regard the average Australian Idol performer as a 'flash in the pan' overnight sensation, but the truth behind Courtney Murphy's success is far more involved.

As one of the final three on 'Australian Idol' in 2004, still the highest rating season of the popular Network Ten program, Courtney, along with fellow finalists Anthony Callea, Ricki-Lee Coulter and Casey Donovan, quickly became one of the most recognisable new artists in Australia. His extraordinary voice and dynamic performance garnered him praise from the viewing public who embraced his soulful interpretations of popular hits and hidden gems, as well as his happy-go-lucky persona and quirky sense of humour.

Following the sell-out Idol tour of 2005, he rapidly became one of the hardest working and most sought after new artists in the industry, regularly headlining at festivals and corporate events throughout Australia, joining the stellar cast of "Grease: The Arena Spectacular" later that year.

Performing alongside John Farnham, Craig McLachlan and Natalie Bassingthwaite, Courtney's performance was hailed by critics, "...blazing his sweet, deep voice..." (The Age) and demonstrated a natural acting ability to widespread audience acclaim.

Courtney continued to make regular appearances for special events across Australia; appearances for charitable causes including the NS Society, awards nights and telecasts including ABC's "Spicks and Specks", Ten's "Rove Live" and more recently the televised Miss China Pageant, which was aired throughout Asia.

In addition to his national and international performances with Murphy's Lore, Courtney headlined a sell-out season of his show "Unplugged and Well-Fed - Downstairs at the Maj" at His Majesty's Theatre, Perth in 2006. This original show was well received and he returned in December 2007, with "No Carols Allowed!", a Christmas show without any traditional carols which received fantastic reviews and further cemented Courtney Murphy as a versatile and talented performer.

In late 2007, he was cast in the role of Rory Storm in a the 50's themed "Cruisin' - The Musical" at Perth's Regal Theatre, alongside friend and hero, Glenn Shorrock.

2009/2010 was dominated by the recording and then release of his impressive debut album 'Big', which is s bold as the title suggests; replete with horns and strings, big harmonies and all the hallmarks of the records that he grew up listening to. The album is a clear attempt to echo the organic sounds of the 70's; combining achingly beautiful harmonies reminiscent of the Beach Boys with a layered approach to instrumentation.

LA-based musician/producer 'Bleau' McAuley was flown out for additional production and mixing, adding his distinctive touches to the project which was then mastered by Chris Gehringer at the famed Sterling Sound in New York, who has worked on albums from artists including Rihanna, The Dandy Warhols and Jason Mraz.

The immediate pop hooks of songs like 'Salvation Jane' and 'Rocks In Your Head' have much in common with his songwriting influences - Lennon/McCartney, Neil Finn and Ben Folds and is receiving positive reviews from fans and media alike.

The live performance schedule has hardly slowed though and Courtney Murphy and Murphy's Lore have continued to host intimate dinner shows, original showcases and performed for numerous outdoor festivals with Diesel, Rogue Traders, Jimmy Barnes, End of Fashion, Ross Wilson, Marcia Hines, Glenn Shorrock, Daryl Braithwaite and Youth Group. Upcoming tour supports include The Whitlams and Human Nature with WASO.

Following a hugely successful VIP launch for the album held at Subiaco Arts Centre, The Big Tour started in late 2010 as a grassroots campaign in regional WA. Plans are now in place for further touring including the Australian east coast in early to mid-2011.

"All I ever wanted to do was write songs and sing in a band" Murphy says. "I can't think of a better way to keep myself out of trouble!"

Clayton Bolger - Vocals, Guitars

After spending his high school years in amateur theatre productions and performing as a solo acoustic guitarist and singer in the Great Southern Region, Clayton moved to Perth from Albany in 1996 as an established member of Murphy's Lore.

After years of constant touring, Clayton left the band in 2002 to get a real job, but ended up disagreeing with the 9 to 5 and again became a solo performer. He formed an acoustic side project, Wesley Goodlet Jamboree Scouts in October 2000, and returned to the line up Murphy's Lore in 2005. He has been a permanent member ever since.

Clayton's amazing vocal abilities, coupled with his knowledge and reverence for the history of pop and rock music makes him the perfect onstage foil for Courtney, not to mention an excellent MC when the situation requires it.

For several years Clayton has been working on his own original material and is hoping to release some sort of original album or EP in the near future.

A dedicated family man, Clayton credits his wife and two wonderful children with inspiring him to continue to perform onstage, knowing all the while that there's probably some spaghetti waiting to be heated up when he gets home.

Shaun Street - Vocals / Bass

Shaun Street started his own musical journey with guitar lessons at the age of 8 and by the time he'd reached high school, he found himself on stage with the acclaimed CBC Jazz Orchestra...at the rather precocious age of 13 he was performing with the likes of Sue Cruikshank and James Morrison!

Arriving on the scene in time to see the glory days of the York Jazz Festival gave Shaun the musical nous to move forward, he scored highly in TEE classical guitar, specialising in composition and arrangement, before deciding touring would give him the boost he needed.

Shaun toured with Motown legends The Drifters in 1990, before finding himself in several renowned blues and rock bands, including Alias, SBS and Whipping Post, sharpening his bass chops by listening to Queen, David Bowie, Led Zeppelin and Paul McCartney and learning the basslines note for note!

Following an impressive run of performances with Queen tribute act A Night At The Opera, Shaun went on to understudy for the Western Australian run of "We Will Rock You" - The Queen Musical.

Shaun realised he might as well get qualified, and it was while studying his Bachelor of Music Education degree specialising in jazz guitar at WAAPA, that he was asked to join Murphy's Lore.

In 2008 he left the teaching profession to manage Courtney Murphy and Murphy's Lore full time.

Jason Smith - Guitars

One of Australia's most versatile lead guitarists began his career literally behind the scenes - performing with his Dad's band from side of stage at the age of 12.

A virtuoso player of immense ability, Jason honed his skills touring Australia first with "TJ Dennis and the Wham Bam Thank You Band", then with the Golden Guitar Award nominated country supergroup "Magnificent Seven".

Jason began to expand his playing beyond blues and country, working with the likes of Simon Cox, Nat Ripepi, Kevin 'Bloody' Wilson, The Sunny Cowgirls, Kat Kinley and Chris Murphy on a variety of live and studio projects including works produced in his own recording studio, Elbow Room.

Jason completed the current line-up of Murphy's Lore in 2003, adding not only his intense musicality, but also a cheeky onstage persona that adds a comedic touch to every performance.

Jason continues to work as an in-demand guitarist in many of Western Australia's most prominent live acts in between his Murphy's Lore commitments, amazing crowds with his dazzling fretboard work and an arsenal of tasty licks!

Kieran Murphy - Vocals / Drums

Kieran Murphy has been performing with his brothers since the age of 9, professionally since the age of 12. Slightly more reserved than his famous siblings, Kieran has made his mark as a drummer and percussionist, both in musical projects with his brothers, as well as striking out on his own recently with the rockabilly side project "The Rough Housers".

To date, Kieran has performed on all studio releases by Murphy's Lore, Courtney Murphy and Chris Murphy and can count on one hand the number of Murphy's Lore shows he's missed in the last 16 years; he remains the longest continuously serving member of the group!

Kieran's reputation as a drummer and percussionist as well as a singer in his own right has helped him to steadily build his reputation in the recording studio, performing on sessions for Sony recording artists The Sunny Cowgirls and Tamworth based Gemma Luxton as well as live performances with Chas Sanford (John Waite, Stevie Nicks), Steve Wright (The Easybeats), Blue Gene, Nat Ripepi and Kat Kingley.

All too aware of the fickle nature of the business, Kieran operates a successful advertising and marketing business in what little spare time he finds and credits the professionalism of his fellow band members for keeping Murphy's Lore at the absolute top of the industry for such an impressive length of time.

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