Artist Information
Biography
- Opened for Blessid Union of Souls on their "Close to the Edge" Tour 08-09
- Debut album "Like I'm Beautiful" produced by Eliot Sloan (Lead Singer/songwriter for Blessid Union of Souls- 8 Billboard hits incl. "I Believe" and "Hey Leonardo/She Like Me For Me")
- Opened for Sister Hazel, Collective Soul, Aslyn, and Mute Math at the Annual 500 Songs For Kids Charity in 2007 and 2008 (CNN Live Report of 2008- "A heartfelt performance of 'Everybody Knows Your Name' by Kelly Murray")
- Featured on 'Good Day Atlanta' morning show as a music teacher/songwriter for local perfoming arts center for children called "Playforming Arts"- April 2006
- Ourstage female singer/songwriter contest winner for "Like I'm Beautiful" single in 2007
-Songwriter's Universe "Song Of The Month" contest winner for "Like I'm Beautiful" single in May 2008
-LG Rally Battle of the Bands semi-finalist Summer of 2008
-Myspace regional top artist (12,000+ friends/1000+ hits daily)
-Performed at various North Point Community Church events from 2003-2008. Internship with North Point and 7:22 in 2003. Present/past NPCC musicians include Steve Fee, Kristian Stanfill, Chris Tomlin, Charlie Hall, and David Crowder, etc. NPCC pastor- Andy Stanley. 7:22- Louie Giglio.
-Performed with Liberty Univeristy ministries and music groups from 2002-2006.
-Worship leadership involvement from 1996-2009: Derwood Alliance Church, Brentwood Church, Thomas Road Baptist Church, Blue Ridge Community Church, North Point Community Church/Buckhead Church, The Outreach Center, The Bridge Church
Kelly cannot remember a time before she considered herself a musician. Just as Ray Charles once said, "I was born with my music inside of me. That's the only explanation I know of." Born and raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC, Kelly was involved in music-related activities ranging from church choirs and worship teams to school bands and choruses. While Kelly began taking piano lessons at the age of four, it wasn't until her early teen years that Kelly began to write her own music. “I can still remember when it all started. I had just purchased Jewel's debut album “Pieces of You” and was completely mesmerized by what I heard.” says Kelly. “Jewel wasn't afraid to be vulnerable. Listening to her music was like hearing the journal entries of a soulmate. I was so inspired that I pulled out a notepad right then and there and began to write. I've been writing on a regular basis ever since.”
As Kelly's passion for music began to deepen, so did her heart for the Lord, the lost, and the struggling believer. “I guess I just gravitate towards people who are searching. I may know what I believe, but I also understand what it's like to struggle internally. I had a tough time learning how to understand and accept myself, especially during the high school years. Who knows where I'd be spiritually without the upbringing I had. It's always bothered me when Christians don't want anything to do with those who don't believe or live exactly as they do. Christ befriended all kinds of people during his years on earth. It was His love that convicted souls and changed lives. I want to live like Christ, be His hands and feet, and live out His message of unconditional love. I believe that this is what it means to be a Christ follower.”
After graduating high school, Kelly moved to the New York City area to study music at Nyack College. She then transferred to Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, to finish her degree as a Worship and Music Ministries major. During these years she continued to be involved in worship teams, both on campus and in the local church. Her relationship with the Lord, passion for ministry, and musical abilities continued to develop during these years.
After graduating college, Kelly moved to Atlanta, GA, to pursue a career as the Director of Music for a children's performing arts center. Life as Kelly knew it was smooth sailing. “If someone had told me what the next two years of my life were going to be like at that point, I would have laughed in their face and told them to leave me alone. But then I lost my job unexpectedly. The details of how it happened made for a very frustrating situation. The worst part was that it robbed me of passion for music and replaced it with nothing but painful memories. I literally packed my instruments up and didn't play or sing for months. Was the Lord there? Yes. Did I turn to Him? Sadly, I began to do the opposite. It happened so gradually that I barely even realized it. I still claimed to love the Lord and deep down still had a desire to serve Him with my life. But my heart became so numb. I was definitely not living for Him in my daily walk.”
However, even in the midst of this season, God was still at work. A defining moment came during a chance meeting with an old friend, who, realizing how much Kelly had lost herself, challenged her to move forward, rediscover her passions, and pursue her dreams to the glory of God. “That night I wrote “Let Me Fall” in response to this encounter. It flowed out like water bursting through a river dam. With shaking hands and teary eyes, I realized that music was still inside of me. This time I was going to write music for something more than just myself. I was ready to share my music with the world.”
As Kelly began to move forward, God began to open doors. “I put “Let Me Fall” on MySpace and within a few months was contacted by an A&R rep who wanted to present my music to major record labels.” A couple of labels entertained offers with Kelly, but she decided to remain unsigned while developing herself as an artist. Now more motivated than ever, Kelly continued to write music. And as she did, more people began to take notice. “I started my MySpace page with about 100 friends. I now have over 11,000. The response has been humbling and exciting. My recordings were by no means professional. I think people were just able to relate to what I was putting out there.”
But God allowed a wake up call to take place in Kelly's life. “I was pursuing my music career wholeheartedly, but my relationship with God was still not where it should be. Because of my compromising lifestyle, I had to learn a very tough lesson the hard way. My entire world was rocked. The snowball effect led to some significant losses and damaged relationships. It caused me to question my identity and my self-worth. It brought upon my life great feelings of rejection and loneliness. This was hands down the most painful experience I have ever gone through. The consequences were so traumatic that it was a struggle to get out of bed, let alone handle the normal routine of daily life. I ended up moving away from Atlanta and in with my parents in North Carolina as a result.”
However, through the brokenness of sin, God began to really dig at Kelly's roots and heal her from the inside out. “It wasn't like some magical experience where one day I just woke up completely fine. It has been and continues to be a lengthy recovery. I'm still not at 100% to this day. But this is what I can say: God used the situation to bring me to my knees. I am learning what it really means to surrender your entire life to the Lord and live for Him fully. His grace has truly been amazing.” The Lord has also given Kelly a heart for believers who have suffered huge consequences from the result of sin. “The Lord asks us to live holy lives for a reason. He wants what is best for us. But He also is faithful to forgive all who repent and turn from their ways. Because of this I want to share my testimony with others, that I may be able to help spare some from having to learn their lesson the hard way and to offer a message of hope for those who are broken. Christ died for us in order to love us to wholeness. The enemy wants us to believe that the love of God can only be earned by our goodness. But there is nothing you can do to make God love you more, and there is nothing you can do to make Him love you less. It doesn't matter what you've done or where you've been. Even when others turn against you, the love of the Lord is unconditional and unfailing. And it is in His love alone that you are made complete."
Even in the midst of this recovery, Kelly Murray has continued to pursue her music career, this time refocusing on her original passion: to use music to serve the Lord. “This time it's not about me. It's about using my music to make His name more famous. And I'm starting to learn that these circumstances were never meant to be dead ends, but opportunities for character to seep in like rain and allow me to grow. For that, I can be nothing other than thankful. ” In May 2008, Kelly won a songwriting contest through Songwriter's Universe for her well liked tune, “Like I'm Beautiful.” She also opened for Blessid Union of Souls on their "Close To The Edge" tour in the fall/winter of 2009. During this time, Kelly recorded her debut album "Like I'm Beautiful" with producer Eliot Sloan, the front man of Blessid Union of Souls, scheduled for a release in May 2009. She recently finished a solo tour up the east coast, which included performances at the Annual 500 Songs for Kids Concert in Atlanta, Springfest in North Jersey, and Florida Music Festival in Orlando. "This is only the beginning of my budding music career, so I hope you will join me on my musical journey as I share my message of hope and help fight battles beyond my own!"
Instrumentation
Kelly Murray- piano, vocals
Discography
Single- "Porch Swing" (March 2008)
Debut Album- Like I'm Beautiful (March 2009)
see more at: http://www.myspace.com/kellymurraymusic
Audio
Lyrics
Video
Press
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Songwriter Universe "Top Song of The Month Award"
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"Kelly Murray pours her heart into her music, and then allows it flow back out when she sings. It is...
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Annual Songs For Kids Charity Event
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(On the cover of the Cheer's theme song "Everybody Knows Your Name") "A heartfelt performance by ...
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Music Nation Summer 2008
"Like a modern day female verson of a Billy Joel."
Setlist
Mini Set (20 min)- Porch Swing, Joy Comes In The Morning, How Do You Let Love Go, Like I'm Beautiful, Let Me Fall
Full Set (30-60 min)- Above songs plus any of the following: Valley of the Shadows, Be With Me Now, She Cried, That's Just Life, Time To Change, White As Snow, Unaware, Every Little Thing, It's Ever Easy
As far as covers go, I don't specialize as a cover artist, but I am experienced in playing anything from top 40 hits to the classic covers. I play by ear, so I can learn pretty much anything as needed. However, I prefer piano-based soul or guitar-based folk artists.
Some favorite artists to cover:
Billy Joel
Carole King
Jewel
Colbie Caillat
Ben Folds
Sarah McLachlan
Damien Rice
Ginny Owens
Bethany Dillon
Shane and Shane