Something about Chris…
After nearly 25 years in the music industry, Chris Murphy continues to be one of the most in-demand entertainers in Western Australia. Chris Murphy is perhaps best known in Australia for his electrifying performance of Evie (Part 1) on Australian Idol in 2006.
Marcia Hines noted that it was "One of the most exciting performances we've ever seen on that stage" and Mark Holden awarded it one of his signature 'Touchdowns'! Chris finished Idol a notable fourth place behind Jessica Mauboy and Damien Leith and it would be fair to say the program was an incredible launching pad that put Chris on the TV screens in millions of homes around the country, not to mention on the cover of magazines and high profile in-store appearances.
One of the highlights of Chris’ post-Idol run was performing ‘Waltzing Matilda’ to 100,000 people at the MCG before the 2006 AFL Grand Final. Draped in the team colours of that year’s premiership side, the West Coast Eagles, it was a moment very few performers have been privileged to experience.In 2018, Chris embarked on another rock and roll journey as the hit musical We Will Rock You by Queen and Ben Elton returned to the stage at His Majesty’s Theatre in Perth. Undaunted by the challenge of taking a starring role in the production, Chris was excited by the opportunity to work alongside legendary Australian artist Normie Rowe and add another page in his already lengthy résuméOver the years, Chris has been a stand out support act for Australian music legends including John Farnham, Jimmy Barnes, Daryl Braithwaite, The Black Sorrows, James Reyne, Diesel, Ross Wilson, Jon Stevens, Icehouse, Mental as Anything, Russell Morris, Gangajang, Richard Clapton, Vika & Linda Bull, Rick Price and Mark Seymour (of Hunters & Collectors).
In 2007 Chris was thrilled to be joined by one of his own musical heroes, the late Stevie Wright, who guested on a new recording of Evie (Part 1) and had Wright perform alongside him at a Stevie Wright and The Easybeats tribute concert.Additionally, Chris has performed as the opening act for International legends including Leo Sayer, Gerry and the Pacemakers and The Osmonds.Chris is a founding member of renowned WA band Murphy's Lore, having led the group from its formation in 1993, through the triumphs and tribulations attached to being one of the state’s highest profile musical acts. During that period, the band has released three independent albums, completed successful tours of Singapore as well as the East Coast of Australia and regional WA and provided tour supports for legendary Australian acts such as Jimmy Barnes and Daryl Braithwaite, which have cemented their reputation as one of the most accomplished acts on the scene.Chris is also one of WA’s most prominent solo performers.
The intensity and showmanship of his regular solo performances led to his inclusion on Kevin Bloody Wilson’s tour of the UK & Ireland in 2004 tour, which brought about numerous accolades for his musical and vocal proficiency and brought him into contact with a number of high-profile performers including Billy Connolly and Gallagher and Lyle.Chris opened 2016 performing a set with iconic Australian group The Badloves at the 2016 Australia Day Concert celebrations, and in June 2016, Chris again showed his immense versatility, opening the Perth dates for Grammy Award winner Richard Marx to rave reviews. He repeated this again for Richard Marx’s 2018 Australian tour. Chris followed his Australian Idol experience in 2006 with appearances on Network Ten’s Rove [Live], Ready, Steady, Cook and SBS’ Nerds FC.Chris is no stranger to musical theatre, too; having appeared alongside Little River Band’s Glenn Shorrock in the musical production of Cruisin’ at the Regal Theatre in 2007In 2008, Chris was invited to open the West Australian leg of Adam Brand and James Blundell’s double bill. Not only was this a highly successful tour in which Chris was exposed to a new legion of fans, but he also formed strong friendships with both men, recording duets with both that have been released on the EP Happy Boy in 2014 and the album Ghost Town in 2016, both of which marked a successful excursion into country rock territory.
Chris has had notable iTunes chart success with some of his outstanding country rock performances, including The One, Kid from the Country and Working for a Living.In September 2009 Chris began co-hosting a night-time radio program The Chris and Jo Show on Perth radio station 96fm. Chris continues his weekly radio duties with guest appearances alongside Ian Blackley on 6iX Breakfast.During the latter half of 2010, Chris & his band were chosen to perform alongside legendary US country/rock band Creedence Clearwater Revisited. Murphy successfully opened the show around the country to thousands of fans at venues including Sydney Entertainment Centre, Challenge Stadium (Perth), Rod Laver Arena (Melbourne) and the Newcastle Entertainment Centre.
Chris also led a successful tour of the East Coast of Australia with former Baby Animals rhythm section Eddie Parise & Frank Celenza in their Creedence tribute act ‘Proud Mary’ in 2014. Just to show how versatile he is as a performer, in the same month, Chris appeared as musical guest for the Perth live show of the US children’s program Yo Gabba Gabba as well as taking over bass guitar duties for “The Angels 100%” Perth concert date.Chris has released four independent solo albums – ‘Elbow Room’ 2005 / ‘Chris Murphy’ 2007 / ‘Look at This/Remember That – Tour Edition’ 2010 and ‘Ghost Town’ 2016 and continues to write and record his own music with friends and collaborators including an ongoing project with his brothers.The Murphy Brothers features his brothers Kieran and 2004 Australian Idol finalist Courtney Murphy. They released the album ‘Thick as Thieves’ in 2013 and their latest album ‘Fall on Me’ in 2020.
Chris opened 2016 performing a set with iconic Australian group The Badloves at the 2016 Australia Day Concert celebrations, and in June 2016, Chris again showed his immense versatility, opening the Perth dates for Grammy Award winner Richard Marx to rave reviews.Chris continues to be active in charity work, lending his talent and time annually for events including McHappy Day for Ronald McDonald House, Channel Seven’s Telethon, MS Society of WA, and Strike A Chord (WA).