Pianist and singer Minnie Murphy is country, sure, but her graceful voice, which can be sassy or sultry or resigned by turns, has a bit of a jazz tinge to it that, when she's at her best, gives whatever she's singing a bright immediacy. Born in Bellingham, WA, the daughter of musicians (her father was a working musician, leading his own band, and her mother was both a singer and pianist), Murphy grew up surrounded by music and showed an aptitude for making it, as well. Soon she was getting up to sing with her father at his gigs in the local bars and clubs, while continuing to study piano with her mother, and in time mother and daughter began to write songs together. Eventually Murphy landed a steady weekend gig singing and playing piano at a local bar in Bellingham. Further inspiration came from her half-sister Jamie O'Neal, a recording artist for 1720 Entertainment, and Murphy had some pretty high profile appearances with O'Neal, including a spot on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. She also continued to write songs with her family, eventually moving to Nashville, TN to try her hand at making music her career. Signed to the Montage Music Group, her debut album, Take Me to Texas, was released in 2008. ~ Steve Leggett