Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Murray.
The legendary Kathy Murray needs no introduction to Austin’s musical faithful. Murray developed her vision of the blues in the formative days of the Texas blues scene, jamming with luminaries like Stevie Ray Vaughan, W.C. Clark, and members of the Fabulous Thunderbirds. A blues singer and songwriter par excellence, she first burst on the Texas music scene with her band Kathy Murray and the Kilowatts – which soon included her longtime musical partner and husband Bill ‘Monster’ Jones on guitar – wowing audiences with a tremendous live show, and sharing the stage with everyone from Marcia Ball to Koko Taylor.
With their current signing with Nola Blue Records and the release of “Premonition of Love”, along with the successful 2017 release of “Let’s Do This Thing”, Murray and her band reassert their place in the pantheon of authentic Texas Blues artists. Throughout her professional evolution, the blues has been the foundation of Murray’s music and songwriting, but she’s never been a one-trick pony. “My sound encompasses the energy and influences of all of Texas’ rootsy regional musical styles that I’ve been exposed to throughout my life: blues, swamp pop, roots rock, zydeco, soul, rockabilly and conjunto,” she says.
Regarding her songwriting process, Murray says, “I get inspired by all of the great songwriters past and present, like Willie Dixon, Doyle Bramhall, “Texas” Johnny Brown, and more recently Raul Malo and Amy Winehouse. Playing my favorite Jimmy Reed, Doug Sahm, and Lightnin’ Hopkins music gets me in the groove, and then it’s just a matter of writing down every idea that comes to me without censoring. I’m always gathering raw lyrics to be crafted into songs later. And occasionally I get lucky and a song will come to me complete and it’s like all I have to do is quickly write it down! “Room for More”, one of my songs that was recorded by the great Kate Meehan in Australia, was immediate like that. Murray was awarded a “Songwriter of the Year” award from the Australian Blues Music Association for Kath Meehan’s recording of Murray’s song, “Call Me Mrs. Blues”.
Many years ago, when Murray’s band opened a show for the great Koko Taylor in Houston, Koko generously shared some of her secrets. Murray says, “In essence, Koko told me to have the confidence to do your own thang, creating a sacred and authentic experience grounded within your space on the stage…and then to extend your energy out to invite the audience into the real experience that you are having. One of my prized possessions is an encouraging postcard Koko sent to me about my original songs saying, “Them songs is sharp!”
The new “Premonition of Love” will join a Kathy Murray & the Kilowatts catalog that also includes “Let’s Do This Thing”, “Relatively Blue” and “Groovin’ With Big D” (dedicated to the late drummer, SRV songwriter and musical mentor, Doyle Bramhall, Sr. who played drums on the project). The songs on the new album range from the Freddie King inspired blues of the title track to the Bo Diddley beat of “Answer Yes”. In between there is the prowling blues of “Final Verdict” to the horn-laced “Beggars Can’t Be Choosers,” so reminiscent of the late Otis Rush and the glory days of Chess Records. The Texas-style shuffle of “I Got This”, the funky soul of “Always Fooling Me”, and the rabble-rousing rockabilly of “Grow Some” are all testaments to Murray’s enviable command of an array of rootsy, yet modern genres.
2020 sees the band back in the studio recording new Murray originals for their next release and forthcoming tours of the US, Spain and other far-flung destinations. Kathy Murray believes, not without justification, that even after a lifetime onstage and on record, the best days for Kathy Murray & the Kilowatts are still ahead.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I had opportunities early in my career that I was not ready for and essentially grew up in the public eye. I had experienced a very traumatic upbringing and needed to do a lot of work to make myself whole. And my voice was completely raw and untrained. I had actually been turned down by the choir teacher in school because I believe she did not understand my voice. Fortunately, when I was a young singer, the legendary Blues Boy Hubbard saw something in me and played some amazing shows with my band. Hubbard knew that I had not had any professional vocal training and he was kind enough to come over to the house and work with me, explaining that one should make the musical changes with your voice just like it was an instrument – which it of course is! His advice really got me off and running. I continued to play shows with Blues Boy Hubbard over the past 40 years. Sadly, he passed away just recently. He was one of my dearest friends and I’ll always miss him.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I specialize in what we call “Real Deal Texas Roots & Blues Music”. I am proud to be creating new songs inspired by this important American art form. Roots and blues music is real and vital, and it makes you feel something beautiful, like a release of true emotions. And even if it’s a sad song, feeling something real makes a person feel good.
What sets me apart is my profound humility and respect for the genius of the masters of American blues music, and I will spend the rest of my life working to deepen my understanding of and ability to transmit, and hopefully further, their incredibly heavy (and fun!) music.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I guess I could say that, if I had it to do over, I would not have drank as much alcohol, etc. as a youngster. That certainly made my life difficult for a spell. Yet, honestly, I don’t know if I’ve ever known any killer musicians who did not go a few rounds with substance abuse issues. And I might wish I had not been immature and impatient at times in my life, but wisdom comes with experience. So, I’m in a really good place creatively, I feel I’m at the top of my game, and I’m not sure I would change anything that got me here.
Pricing:
- CD “Premonition of Love” – $20
- CD “Let’s Do This Thing” – $20
- CD “Groovin’ with Big D” – $20
- CD “Relatively Blue” – $20
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kathymurrayandthekilowatts.com
- Phone: 5127886852
- Email: bill@kathymurrayandthekilowatts.com
- Instagram: kathymurraymusic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathyMurrayBand/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/KathyMurray111
Image Credit:
Kim Yarbrough, M. Edmund Howse
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