Biography

Singer/Songwriter Michelle Murray has been playing guitar and composing songs for over 20 years. An accomplished lyricist, her songs combine the sounds of folk, country, and a touch of the blues.

Throughout her years of performing, Michelle has opened shows for popular folk artists such as John Gorka and David Massengill.

Locally, she has performed in various venues in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, including the Austin Grill, Kensington Coffeehouse, Rockville Coffeehouse, Jammin Java, Caribou Coffee, Focus Music, College Perk, Mayorga Coffee Factory, the Riverdale Bookshop, the Berwyn Café, the New Deal Café, including their Festival of the Song, and their Fall Festival, Mountain Stage New Song Festival, Washington D.C's Fete De La Musique, and the Artomatic Arts Festival in Washington D.C. For a complete list of venues played, click here.

Michelle is a member of the trio, Chapter Three, also featuring Andrew Coupe and Rick Callender. Chapter Three's latest CD, "Unabridged" was nominated for best Contemporary Folk Recording, and the trio was also nominated for best Contemporary Folk Duo/Group in the 2009 Wammie Awards. The the trio also received a 2008 Wammie nomination for best Contemporary Folk Recording (Synopsis), and for best Contemporary Folk Duo/Group. To hear Chapter Three's music, visit their MySpace page

Michelle's CD, "Collection of Songs" received a 2006 Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) "Wammie" nomination for Best Contemporary Folk Recording, and the trio she performed with, Murray, Crump & Hatley, was nominated for best Contemporary Folk Duo/Group.

Several of Michelle's songs have received recognition. Her song "Married Women" was selected as an Editor's Pick on Washington Post MP3's web site in the summer of 2005. In addition, another song "Wandering Heart", won an honorable mention in the October 2005 Song of the Year contest. "Tucker's Song" received airplay on WETA-FM on the Traditions show.

She has also been a guest on Damien Einstein's show on WRNR-FM, (along with former singing partner Anne Sucher) and her music has also been aired on WETA-FM. (on the "Traditions" show).

Michelle also hosts an online radio show called The Open Stage. The show features the best of the local singer/songwriters, including members of SAW and BSA. This live, online radio show is broadcast on blogtalkradio.com. Past shows have featured such notable musicians as Jon Carroll, Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, and Laura Baron. Click here to visit her show page.

Michelle also performs with various musicians Rick Kanton & Midnite Bob (as Jack Couldn't Make It), Greg Vickers, Scott Geshen, and Sherri Lynn Robbins.

Michelle and Anne Sucher used to perform as a musical duo known as "Water's Edge" and their CD, "Make a Choice" received a 2005 Wammie nomination for best contemporary folk recording. Rick Kanton produced the CD and added music, and Midnite Bob contributed two wonderful songs. Sadly, Anne passed away recently, in February of 2006, but her music will always be remembered.

Michelle currently serves on the board of and hosts an open mike for the Songwriter's Association of Washington. The open mike is held the every Friday night at Mario's House of Steak and Cheese in Rockville, MD. Michelle hosts the first Friday of each month.

For several years, Michelle was a member of the Keshet Chorale of the DCJCC. With the choir, she had the opportunity to sing at the Kennedy Center’s Millenium Stage.

Originally from NJ, Michelle has also performed at many clubs and coffeehouses in the NY/NJ Metropolitan area, including the Turning Point, the Hurdy Gurdy Coffeehouse, the Mine Street Coffeehouse, and various clubs in Greenwich Village including the Speak Easy.

While in New Jersey, she also hosted a folk radio show, “Open Stage” on WFDU-FM in Teaneck. The show featured interviews with many well-known performers, including Dave Van Ronk, Rod McDonald, Rory Block and David Massengill. In addition, was the emcee and one of the founders of the Hilltop Coffeehouse in Englewood N.J.

Michelle has recently compiled a CD of original songs, "Michelle Murray: Collection of Songs." in addition to the Water's Edge CD, "Make a Choice", Michelle has also released a sampler CD "This Life." For booking information, contact Michelle at: michelle.murray6@verizon.net