Chelle Murrey

Chelle Murrey's musical spectrum might be defined by folk on one pole and country on the other, however, an array of subtleties mark the dynamic artist's range, distinguishing her as an astonishingly original singer/songwriter. Whether it's an introspective ballad providing a viewpoint into the artist's mind, a social commentary about people or an autobiographic narrative of a difficult breakup, a listener will find tenderness, intimacy, depth and quick wit in any of Chelle's songs.

The manner in which Murrey delivers her music on stage sets her apart even further, as her wildly clever yet silly sense of humor, infectious laugh and apparent love of music are a part of every performance. Chelle's sweet voice and powerful stage presence create a unique dichotomy where she is profoundly serious one moment and shockingly hilarious the next.

Appalachia provided the backdrop to Chelle's upbringing. She grew up in the small rural town of Athens, Ohio that produced the roots and strong connections to old country so evident in her music. Though music always occupied the main stage of Chelle's endeavors, she also excelled in the realm of theatre, having starred in myriad productions, many of which were musicals. Chelle's adventurous spirit took her to residing in Chicago, London and New York while attending various colleges along the way. While earning her degree in music and theatre from New York City's American Musical Dramatic Academy in 1998, she bravely launched her career by playing on the platforms of the subways and gigging at small local venues. The experiences she had in the city, which she reflects upon with hilarious anecdotes, gave her the poise and insight to decide on her next relocation. Austin, Texas, Chelle's current home, would be the ideal place for her to propel herself into a successful musical career. After all, as one can often hear Chelle charmingly assert, Austin is New York City in denim.

The tenacity with which Chelle dove into the Austin music scene has resulted in numerous notable performances. In the summer of 2004 Chelle played at the Save Austin Live Oaks Benefit along with the impressive lineup of Patty Griffin, Eliza Gilkyson, John Dee Graham, Kacy Crowley, Michael Fricasso and Scrappy Judd Newcomb. That same summer she opened for the Bobby Blue Band and was the featured guest on KUT's “Femme FM” show with Teresa Ferguson. Chelle Murrey fans delighted, as they could check her out weekly hosting and headlining the Chicks With Picks series that went on from Fall 2004 to Summer 2005 at Momo's. Sarah Sharp, Caroline Wonderland, Jane Bond and Ginger Lee were just a few of the guests that participated in this six month period. The Saxon Pub, La Zona Rosa, Momo's, and Rutamaya are just a few of the venues where Austinites can regularly encounter Chelle's music.