One of the things that has fascinated me is the number of artists who have moved to full-time ministry as a follow-up to their professional music career. One such musician is Michael James Murphy. Michael recorded five albums in the early eighties and transition to more of a country sound in the nineties where he released another three albums as Michael James. But an early call God placed on his life was to be involved in worship ministry.
Michael James Murphy is listed in the credits for the following albums:
| Year | Artist | Album | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Stephanie Boosahda | I Know That I Know | Songwriter |
| 1981 | September | September First | Songwriter |
| 1983 | Michael James Murphy | Surrender | Songwriter, Vocals |
| 1992 | Two Hearts | Stand Your Ground | Songwriter, Keyboards |
| 1996 | Gary Chapman | Shelter | Background Vocals |
| Award Organization | Year | Award Name | Album | Song |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMA Dove | 1996 | Country Album of the Year | Where Love Runs Deep | |
| GMA Dove | 1995 | Country Recorded Song of the Year | Love Will |
Michael James Murphy started out as an adult contemporary artist in 1981. In 1991 he dropped the Murphy from his name, and began recording and songwriting as Michael James for Reunion Records and BMG Music Publishing in 1991.
Michael released three award-winning albums on Reunion, was a guest artist on other popular album projects [such as: Songs from the Loft, Sing Me To Sleep Daddy, Promise Keepers: A Life That Shows]. Michael was the recipient of 4 Dove Awards for Country Album of the Year, Country Song of the Year, Praise and Worship Album of the Year, and Children's Album of the Year.
In 1996, Michael retired as a touring musician and moved from Nashville to serve as the Worship Arts Pastor of Hoffmantown Church in Albuquerque, NM. In 2012 he joined the Renaissance Church in Summit NJ as Executive Pastor.
Where are they Now:
Michael Murphy is Executive Pastor of Worship & Creative at the Venture Christian Church in Los Gatos, California.
Websites:
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