There was a moment in 2016 when singer/songwriter Chuck Murphy realized people were listening. After spending three weeks in the hospital with a stomach ailment, Murphy returned home to find he had three million SoundCloud listens to his song “Falling Star.”

When Murphy’s album, Peace Be With You, hit No.3 on Billboard’s Folk Americana chart in the Fall of 2016, it was proof the artist was coming into his own.

From his earliest days in Minnesota as a 10-year-old with the electric guitar and amp his father received in barter, Murphy found that music was his way to express himself. “The neighbor kids and I would go from house to house carrying our stuff,” Murphy recalls. “I think that was my first tour.”

As the youngest of four children, music helped him navigate his turbulent home life where his father ruled with an iron hand. As the youngest, he was often the brunt of his father’s aggression and songwriting became therapeutic, giving Murphy a means of expression.

Murphy formed Big Coyote in 2010 to perform and record his vision. At the same time, he began One West Media to support the band through visual media and One West Records for his projects.

The artist doesn’t just talk the talk; he walks the walk! He believes in giving back. He has formed a nonprofit, Music and Kids, to organize his efforts to help young people learn about the music industry, develop their talents, and pursue careers in music. Through Music and Kids, Murphy and other artists and industry professionals will visit schools to educate students about the music industry and how to develop as an artist. Music and Kids will also identify gifted young people and assist their efforts with scholarships to various artist development programs designed to develop their talents and help them pursue a career in music. In the first year of giving back, Murphy and Music and Kids have sponsored kids, other nonprofits for kids, and nonprofit events with over $150,000 in support.

Murphy’s objective is to use his platform to help change his environment, his community, and whatever portion of the world he can reach to make a difference.

For years, Murphy has performed at the Almond Blossom Festival in Quartz Hill, CA. This year after dinner break, Murphy returned thinking he was going to participate in giving out an award. Instead, he was awarded Person of the Year from the Chamber of Commerce.

“Every day I wake up and ask for the strength to be the best I can be -- the strength, the wisdom and courage to deal with today the best I can.

chuckmurphy.net

soundcloud.com/chuck-murphy-3/free-to-be-free