Michael Martin Murphey
b. c.1946, Dallas, Texas, USA. Having been influenced by gospel music at an early age, Murphey aspired to become a Baptist minister. From 1965-70, as a staff songwriter for Screen Gems, Murphey was writing theme tunes and soundtrack material for television. He grew disillusioned with the poor financial rewards, and left. For a short while he was a member of the Lewis And Clark Expedition, which he formed, before going solo. GERONIMO'S CADILLAC was produced in Nashville by Bob Johnston, who had originally got Murphey signed to A&M Records. The title track was released as a single, and achieved a Top 40 place in the USA. As well as folk, country and blues, Murphey's early gospel leanings are evident in the overall sound of what is an excellent album. He signed to Epic in 1973, after releasing COSMIC COWBOY SOUVENIR which continued the urban cowboy theme of his earlier work. His albums followed a more middle-of-the-road format after this, with occasional glimpses of his better work, as in PEAKS, VALLEYS, HONKY-TONKS AND ALLEYS. However, he did reach number 3 in the US singles charts, achieving a gold disc, in 1975, with Wildfire. Apart from BLUE SKY, NIGHT THUNDER also achieved gold status. Murphey has never had the degree of commercial success his writing would indicate that he is capable of. However, as a writer, Murphey has had songs covered by John Denver, Cher, Claire Hamill, Hoyt Axton, Bobby Gentry and the Monkees, for whom he wrote What Am I Doin Hangin’ Round. 
He also wrote songs for Michael Nesmith after the latter's exit from the Monkees, including The Oklahoma Backroom Dance. Murphey later played at Ronnie Scott's club in London, for a press presentation, and was supported on the occasion by J.D Souther, Don HenleyDave Jackson and Gary Nurm. GERONIMO'S CADILLAC is probably his best remembered work. MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY included a number of songs Murphey had co-written with Michael D'Abo. Murphey was featured in the film URBAN COWBOY which included his song Cherokee Fiddle. Much of the film was shot at Mickey Gilley's Bar. Murphey has continued recording easy listening country and, in 1987, had a number l country single with a wedding song, A Long Line Of Love. He had US country hits with A Face In The Crowd, a duet with Holly Dunn, and Talkin To The Wrong Man’, which featured his son, Ryan. His 1990 album, COWBOY SONGS, saw him return to his roots.