Wallaceburg man inducted into Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame

A Canadian songwriter/producer/author, who is from Wallaceburg, has been inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.

Ralph Murphy left Canada for Liverpool in 1965 where his career began to take off.

He went on to produce platinum albums for April Wine and his first smash Country hit by Jeannie C. Riley – Good Enough To Be Your Wife.

Murphy has also served on various boards in Nashville, sits on the Songwriters Guild of America and has worked with artists like Randy Travis, Shania Twain, Crystal Gayle, Ronnie Milsap, and Kathy Mattea.

Murphy taught himself how play guitar when he was 14 years old while living in Wallaceburg, where he began playing gigs.

Murphy was inducted into the Hall at a ceremony last week in Toronto.

Here is more information from a press release:

Receiving inductions into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame this year are two gentlemen who have spent a great deal of time working in the country music industry. Dedicating most of his career to country music as a solo artist as well as a backing band member for such country legends as Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty and Waylon Jennings, Johnny Burke has been announced as this year’s Artist Inductee. The Canadian Country Music Association is also thrilled to announce that Ralph Murphy, a talented artist/songwriter/producer/publisher will be inducted into the Industry Builder category.

Four-time Big Country Award winner, Johnny Burke accomplished a long-standing career in the country music industry with many number one hit singles like “Wild Honey”, which received the Big Country Award for Top Single in 1978. Throughout his career, Burke was also known as the driving force behind the creation of the ‘Caribou Showband’, which down the road became ‘Eastwind’ the highly successful house band that performed on CTV’s ‘Funny Farm’.

“What a tremendous honour this is to be inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame,” said Burke. “I am truly thankful and would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the Canadian Country Music Association for this honour; this is something I will never forget. Playing country music has always been an important part of my life and I have loved every minute of it.”

Ralph Murphy has done it all. From songwriting, to publishing and producing albums Murphy is a well-known industry builder within the country music community. His first number one country single “Good Enough To Be Your Wife” was recorded by Jeannie C. Riley and he has had multiple Canadian and American country music artists like Randy Travis, Shania Twain, Ray Price, Don Williams and Little Texas record his music.

“I am so honoured to be inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in the Industry Builder category,” said Murphy of his induction. “To be able to work with such amazing people throughout my career I consider myself one of the luckiest guys in the industry. This is something I am very proud of and would also like to congratulate my fellow inductee Johnny Burke for his Artist induction.”

Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductions will take place at a private industry event during PotashCorp Country Music Week, which is being held in Saskatoon, SK from September 6-9. This event will celebrate Johnny Burke and Ralph Murphy’s successes by showcasing their achievements and accolades before many of their closest friends and colleagues. Following the induction Burke and Murphy will have their plaques displayed at the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame located in Merritt, B.C. and the CCMA will work with the National Music Centre to solicit artifacts for the NMC’s Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Collection in Calgary, Alberta.

BIO: Canadian songwriter/producer/author Ralph Murphy is a lifetime achiever in the Music Business. Leaving Canada for Liverpool in 1965 led to his first #1 production/writing credit, “Call My Name” by James Royal in 1966. His early successes in Europe set the stage for his return to Toronto to produce platinum albums for April Wine (You Could Have Been A Lady) and in 1971 to have his first huge Country hit by Jeannie C. Riley (Good Enough To Be Your Wife). While in Nashville in 1972 to collect his first (of many) ASCAP Country Awards he felt excited by the creative environment and moved there to start a Publishing/production company with his pal Roger Cook. His songs have been recorded and released by dozens of artists like Randy Travis, Shania Twain, Ray Price, Crystal Gayle, Ronnie Milsap, Kathy Mattea, Micky Gilley and so many more. Having had chart success as a writer in every decade since the sixties puts him in a rare club. His newly released Murphy’s Laws of Songwriting, “The Book” has become a best seller with professional songwriters, universities and songwriter organizations worldwide. He is also the only Canadian to have been President of the Nashville Songwriters Association (NSAI), President of the Nashville Chapter of the Recording Academy (NARAS) and a National Trustee of NARAS. He has served on the Canadian Country Music Association Board, as well as the Songwriters Guild of America regional advisory board and the Southern Regional Writers Advisory board of ASCAP. Most recently he was presented the Jo Walker-Meador International Achievement Award by the Country Music Association (CMA) for services to Country Music worldwide. He is an active member of the CCMA, CMA, NARAS, Songwriters Association of Canada, SGA and ASCAP.