“A song is like a puzzle. There can only be so many pieces that make it whole. Remember, it's not what you play, it's what you don't play.”

Silver City Blues Festival

I have had the honor to perform with and record with so many great musicians throughout my career. Of course, these musicians are featured on my Music page. Incredible blues artists, country musicians, and even a few jazz artists. Each and every one of them is at the top of their game. My appreciation is beyond words. A sample of one of my tunes, Mesa Street Boogie, is a live performance from Shifty's Bar & Grill in Syracuse, NY. It is featured right below this text.

I have also been honored to receive a few awards along the way (photos featured below). Two SAMMYs (Syracuse Area Music Awards). One for my participation managing the New York State Blues Festival and one for my CD, A History of Blues. I received a Service to the Arts award from the Syracuse Cultural Resources Council as well as an award for my 12 years of service as the New York State Festival Director from their board of directors. One crowning achievement came from the Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN recognizing my work for Keeping the Blues Alive.

For the last few months, I have been working on my solo career. It's a whole 'nother ball game. Performing solo is an adventure within itself. I am really enjoying it tremendously. I want to thank Ardovino's Desert Crossing, the Lucky Boy Bar & Grill, and The Black Orchid for proving a stage and an audience.

Live Blues

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Mesa Street Boogie 4:12

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From the The Way Things Used To Be CD.

James Robert Murphy

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That Time Will Never Come 4:59

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From the If I Could Play Jazz Series.

James Robert Murphy

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Two Flames Burning w/Miss Gutierrez 3:29

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Press Photos

National Award from the Blues Founs=dation in Memphis, TN for Keeping the Blues Alive.

Caricature

My 1963 Guild Starfire III

My collection of acoustic instruments.

Another collection of instruments.

In recognition to my years with the New York State Blues Festival.

El Paso library gig.

Playing on Beale Street in Memphis back in the late 1970s I would say. Before Beale St. was revitalized.

SAMMY for Best Blues CD - A History of Blues 4-CD box set.

From the King's X in El Paso, TX. Larry Rye on piano, me sitting, Chet Woodward (deceased), on drums, Dan (?) on bass.

Steve Karolus, me, JoDavid Reyes and Wes Gundersen at 5 Points.

With the great Pat 'Guitar Slim' Chase and Geronimo Black (Jimmy Carl Black's son).

Live at the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

Service to the Arts Award from the Cultural Resources Council in Syracuse, NY.

With the great Pat DeSalvo

With the great Wes Gundersen and Garnett Grimm.

With Pat DeSalvo and the great Scott Ebner.

SAMMY for best live concert or event - New York State Blues Festival.

Recording some mandolin tracks way back in the day on Primrose Ave., off Midland Ave with Mark Spencer in Syracuse, NY..

Jasmine Jaslow on keys, John Desprado on bass, JoDavid Reyes on drums, and me.

Skitz promo photo. Mark Stevens (deceased), me, and Tom 'T-Bone' Rarthbun in Austin, TX in the 80s.

1st and only cassette release with Skitz in Austin, TX in 1983. This is some great rock and roll. A 3-piece band with Mark Stevens in drums/vocals and Tom 'T-Bone' Rathbun on bass/vocals. We did self destruct..

Bassist John Desperado, keyboardist Jasmine Jaslow, me, and drummer JoDavid Reyes. Austin Jimmy Murphy and the Blues Alliance.

Wes Gundersen, bassist Juan Tarin, drummer Joel Hanson, and Austin Jimmy.

Promo shot from the 80s.

Tavern on the Square. Syracuse, NY.

Various pedals and necessary stuff.

British Columbia, Canada with Tom Coates on fiddle, Hoag ?? and me.

Roadwork practice session in Austin, TX. Me, Steve Campbell (now deceased), and T-Bone Rathbun..

Houston, TX. Me and T-Bone Rathbun.

If you look closely, I am in mid-air doing a handspring. My arms are at bass drum level just to the right (then there is T-0Bone's head) and then my knees in my blues suede pants.