My conversation with Big Murph recently was to promote his new giveaway. There is an AR-15 up for grabs so go check the linked article on how you could win. After our video chat I sent over some questions, I feel like my readers want to hear the artist's words in their entirety. So enjoy our Q&A and my interpretation of our conversation.
Q: Where were you born and what was your childhood like?
A: I was born in Nashville, TN, and raised in a little town called Cumberland Furnace. It's located on the county line between Dickson County and Montgomery County, Tennessee. My childhood was filled with a lot of outdoor activities like sports, backyard, and little league. I grew up playing in the woods and in the creeks out on my family's farm. When I was a kid, my grandfather, who we've called Gang-Gang ever since I can remember, raised cattle and tobacco on the land. I spent several summers and winters helping to raise tobacco and cattle. I've been run over a time or two and kicked by some cows. It's just a part of that kind of lifestyle that you gotta get used to or prepare for. I started hunting as early as I legally could. I remember squirrel hunting as a young boy with a single shot 20 gauge shotgun all on my own. Kids these days, I feel, could and would never do that although these kids today most certainly should. I've always been a deer hunter but not so much of a turkey hunter. I played football from middle school through my senior year of high school and actually had two full-ride scholarships to Memphis University and Middle Tennessee State University but decided I wanted to go a different path with my life (and didn't play college ball at all). I attended 2 years of MTSU but then partying and living the fast life got me caught up, and I ended up flunking out of college and going to jail. That's when I really started to look at music as a serious career for me.
Q: When did you first know you wanted to be a musician? A: I started playing piano in church as a young kid and taking lessons. If I'm being honest it was fun but I wasn't really focused on that stuff at that age. It wasn't until I was around 12 that I started to have a love for music. My parents got me my first guitar and I had already been listening to classic rock. I had listened to cassette tapes with my Dad for years. So I started trying to learn the guitar. We listened to ZZ Top, Marshall Tucker Band, The Allman Brothers, and Lynard Skynard! I learned to play by ear a little bit as well as how to read guitar tabs. I would spend hours, every day, learning my favorite classic rock songs. Eventually I earned the skill to pick and play guitar solos. Then I got myself an electric guitar. After that, I branched out and started making my own songs/riffs on acoustic and electric. After that, I started learning to make hip-hop beats. I spent a few years doing all of the above, and then decided to become a full-blown artist. Here I am!
Q: What jobs did you have prior to being a full-time musician? Or that you currently do on the side?
A: As far as jobs go, I've had way too many for me to name. I worked fast food in the beginning. Then went on to work more physically demanding jobs, such as loading 18 wheelers or washing big rigs. I've worked the assembly line at multiple plants. I've been a forklift operator at multiple plants. I used to drive a diesel forklift and would carry 30,000 lbs of railroad ties, 1 load at a time. I've also worked in many construction fields from HVAC to flooring to remodeling, etc. I was even a tattoo apprentice for a short 6 months and that's where, and how I met my wife. The shop was attached to a gas station and I saw her pull in with some mutual friends we had. I walked over and said what's up to them, and then tried talking her into getting a tattoo. At that time, any tattoo I would bring in I would get a percentage cut from the sale. Turns out I get the best percentage cut that day...a beautiful wife. We have been together for 8 years now and have 3 kids together.
Q: What was the craziest thing that has happened to you on tour? A: It really depends on what kind of crazy you are talking about here. I'll choose not to mention some of them just because it's better left unsaid, but I did get drunk one night at a show and ended up getting locked in my hotel room for 2 hours. It was karma because I was drunk, being mouthy to my wife, and boom....karma hit. The door's deadbolt broke off into the wall, and there I was, stuck for 2 hours. Lol, the cops ended up busting out my window so I could get out. I ended up giving them some merch for helping me, and they followed me, that night, on social media. One of them tagged me the next day, wearing my merch lol.
Big Murph and I had some great conversations about County Rap while we talked about this insane giveaway. If you have followed Big Murph, you can't deny the growth and absolute talent he has. Knowing that this next album to be dropped is called 'Genre?', has many people talking. Murph has shown us the vocal range he can reach, and my goodness, it is breathtaking. On this new album, I was told, Murph not only shows us how he can create a pop song or a reggae song, but he also shows us his talent with different instruments. I'm going to go out on a limb and say he can do anything he sets his mind to. Seven genres on one album? Yes, seven.
After speaking to Murph about how he started his journey into music, I would have never imagined exactly how it all began. When Murph started his journey into music it was all or nothing. He didn't give himself a fallback plan. He was going to make it, no matter what he had to do.
If a venue offered him 150 bucks to perform, he was doing it. His execution, on how he got it done while traveling and needing money to make money, is that of one who was willing to sacrifice all he had to prove that he not only had what it takes, but he would prove it too. Most people would think that performers would get a cheap hotel room and some deep-fried bar food while on the road. Not Murph. He bought a van that he would travel in. He slept right there in the parking lot while eating food he had packed from home. Some would call this penny pinching, I call this genius. His only expense while traveling was pretty much just his gas and money to do the show. Packing the cooler with food, he would have eaten at home anyway, not only saved money but was smart as hell.
Now here he is, about to drop one of the most creative albums I have ever heard of, and buying costumes for music videos. He has made many great decisions, while on his journey, to be able to not only fund his music videos, but he can also afford a hotel room now.
Murph has invested in himself as a brand, spending the money needed to make his visuals stand out. It might not have happened over night, and it sure as hell didn't happen by cutting corners. Murph proved by investing in yourself and paying for professional music videos, was not only worth every penny but was worth the networking and experience. It also shows other artists that you are on a level of recognition worthy of being noticed. Keeping to himself and not involving himself in notorious industry beef has kept his supporters right there growing with him. Industry beef seems like it will never go away. People seem to thrive on it from both standpoints, as fans and labels. As much as this is a part of everyday life, Murph did mention that as humans it's in our DNA, and it is core entertainment that many supporters tune into. This doesn't mean you need to involve yourself or state an opinion. You still have control over what you say and who you say it to. As you grow in this industry your knowledge is power. You want to gain as much knowledge as you can and research everything. Read everything. Immerse yourself in relationships that make you glow, grow and go.
As an artist just starting this journey, if you have perfected your sound, created a following, and have gained the attention of artists that are bigger than your current status, it's time to make those quality music videos. Cutting corners isn't going to work. No one is going to take you seriously. That 1k music video will upgrade your visuals to a level that others will know how serious you are taking your career. The growth of your brand isn't going to happen if you arent willing to invest in yourself. Remember, it's quality over quantity.
Big Murph is well on his way to becoming a legend. Leaving a legacy behind for his family is a big part of his self-motivation. He will make a name for himself. He will be The GOAT. Let's keep that support up for Murph. Go grab the "Genre?" album available for preorder on iTunes and Amazon now.
Let's check out the last three videos Big Murph has put out!
Two days ago he released a video for 'Eternal Light' a song off of the unreleased Genre? album.
On January 9th he released the video to 'REM World' also off of the unreleased album Genre?
Back in November Big Murph released 'Somedays' another banger off of the upcoming album Genre?
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