Bringing The Darkness To The Light with Catherine Nadal

Shaun Murphy on Brand New Blues, Legendary Collaborations, and a Life in Music

Guest, Shaun Murphy, American Blues and R&B Singer-Songwriter

Catherine Nadal Welcomes Shaun Murphy

In this episode of Bringing the Darkness to the Light, host Catherine Nadal welcomes Shaun Murphy, an American blues and R&B singer-songwriter known for her powerful vocal style. Catherine explains that she was introduced to Shaun through her cousin Tommy Del Rossi, who has played drums on several of Shaun’s albums and produced her most recent album in his new home studio. Shaun describes recording at Tommy’s studio, Coming Soon Sounds, praising his professionalism, ideas, and ability to help the project come together smoothly.

Recording with Tommy Del Rossi at Coming Soon Sounds

Shaun says the band originally had been recording elsewhere but decided to move the project to Tommy’s home studio, where everything “gelled.” She describes the studio as a meaningful new chapter for Tommy and says the musicians were excited for him while hoping to keep him as their drummer. Catherine reflects on how common home studios have become in Nashville and how fortunate Tommy was to find a home that could support that kind of professional recording setup.

Working with Eric Clapton, Bob Seger, and Phil Collins

Catherine then walks through Shaun’s impressive career, noting her work with major artists including Little Feat, Bob Seger, Meat Loaf, Eric Clapton, the Moody Blues, Herbie Hancock, Phil Collins, Glenn Frey, and Joe Walsh. Shaun says she especially remembers touring and recording with Eric Clapton, including performing at Live Aid, where the roar of the crowd during “Layla” was so physically powerful that the musicians stepped back in shock. She also reflects on working with Bob Seger for decades and on recording Behind the Sun with Clapton, where Phil Collins produced with remarkable focus and efficiency.

Stories of Alice Cooper, Michael Bolton, Glenn Frey, and Joe Walsh

Shaun shares several colorful memories from her career. She recalls singing background vocals on Alice Cooper’s Hey Stoopid sessions and taking a break when Alice brought rattlesnakes into the control room. She discusses knowing Michael Bolton since the early 1980s, when his band opened for Seger, and remembers receiving demos of his future hits. Shaun also talks about working with Glenn Frey and Joe Walsh, describing Joe’s habit of buying children’s toys at gas stations during bus tours to use as humorous stage props.

Little Feat, Theater, Meat Loaf, and the Path to a Solo Career

When Catherine asks who encouraged Shaun’s solo career, Shaun points to Little Feat, with whom she worked for many years and whose members encouraged her songwriting. She explains that she had originally started as a solo artist and later spent time in theater, including the Detroit production of Hair, where she unexpectedly encountered Meat Loaf, who already knew her from festival appearances. Shaun says she later performed in Hair on Broadway and in Washington, D.C., briefly thinking she might become an actress before music ultimately won out.

The Songs: “Mama’s Home,” “Brand New Blues,” and “Killing Time”

Catherine and Shaun discuss several songs from the new album. Shaun says “Mama’s Home” came from her friend Jay Edwards, whose voice she compares to a Chris Stapleton-like sound and whose songwriting she admires. She explains that “Brand New Blues” came from Doug Jones and Roger Mason, who created the song using AI as a demo tool; Shaun liked it so much that she replaced one of her own songs with it and named the album after it. Shaun also discusses “Killing Time,” written by Chris Anderson of The Outlaws, describing it as a sad breakup song about someone trapped in heartbreak while time passes.

AI, Social Media, Signs, and the New Album Release

Catherine asks Shaun about changes in the music business, including AI, streaming, and social media. Shaun says AI can be useful for demos, especially for lyricists who do not play instruments, but she would not release a finished AI-generated recording as her own single. She also sees value in social media helping songs spread quickly, while warning that it can become dangerous without guardrails. Shaun reflects on early family music influences, theater, stage confidence, and the signs that helped guide her career. Near the close, she says the new record was still being finalized, with a presale underway, and notes that the album comes out May 25.

Closing with “I’m Gonna Take the Money”

Catherine closes the interview by asking about “I’m Gonna Take the Money,” written by Darrell Burgess, Joanna Cotton, and Angie Russell. Shaun explains that the song began with a more country feel, but the band steered it toward blues rock. She shares where listeners can find her online, including Facebook, her private group Shaun Murphy, Her Life in Music, X as Shaun Murphy Band, and YouTube as Shaun Murphy Band. The episode ends with the song playing out and the program’s closing credits.