The PennZone

LANCASTER, Pa. & WESTERLY, R.I. - PennZone -- After nearly forty years of musical and personal camaraderie, drummer and producer Bob Christina began studio work with Matt "Guitar" Murphy on what would become Murphy's final project. After he passed in June of 2018, the fate of the unfinished project was placed in Christina's hands. He began outreach to musicians who were friends of Murphy, played with him, or were otherwise influenced by him. The response was overwhelming, with no less than 72 fine musicians represented on True Blues Brother: The Legacy of Matt "Guitar" Murphy, an historic 23 song double album including Murphy's final three studio recordings, a new song written and performed by multi-Grammy-winner Tom Hambridge, and the work of Murphy's friends Joe Beard and Billy Boy Arnold in the studio together for the first time. Featured artists include Doyle Bramhall II, Fran Christina & The Original Roomful of Blues, Steve Cropper, Ronnie Earl, Sax Gordon, Jaimoe, Bill Kirchen, Chuck Leavell, Bob Margolin, James Montgomery, Tracy Nelson, Johnny Nicholas, Christine Ohlman, Lee Oskar, Jerry Portnoy, Duke Robillard, Kenny "Blues Boss" Wayne, Toni Lynn Washington and more. A June 21, 2024 street date is planned.

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Murphy was born in Sunflower, MS on December 29, 1929 and raised in Memphis, TN. He moved to Chicago, IL in 1948. Widely known for his appearance in The Blues Brothers movie and performing with The Blues Brothers band, Murphy's blues career was launched by the early 1950s and encompasses work with Howlin' Wolf, Little Junior Parker, Memphis Slim, and countless other titans of blues history. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 2012. Murphy died on June 15, 2018 at age 88.

Westerly, Rhode Island native son Bob Christina grew up in a large family, where he was first introduced to the blues at a young age by watching his older brother, Fran Christina, on drums practicing with his friends in their basement. The year was 1967 and those friends were none other than Al Copley on piano, Duke Robillard on guitar and Larry Peduzzi on bass; the original Roomful of Blues band. By the time he was 15 and after a few months of guitar lessons, Bob got some of his brother's hand-me-down drums and made the switch to drumming. During his forty years as a performing artist, Christina has also developed Bobby Christina's Caravan, a well-regarded entertainment brand of shows and events. On June 23, 2024 the Caravan will host its 15th "Mitchfest," an annual fundraiser for Hope Hospice and Palliative Care of Rhode Island. More than 40 musicians will perform at this eagerly anticipated annual event, to be held at Hygenic Art in New London, Connecticut. Mitchfest 15 will also be the album release party for True Blues Brother: The Legacy of Matt "Guitar" Murphy.

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"I am very inspired by this project that has been so lovingly curated and produced by Bobby Christina," says Sallie Bengtson, Nola Blue Records president. "The significance of Matt 'Guitar' Murphy and his legacy cannot be overstated, and is masterfully honored and reflected in this historic recording."

"After more than a dozen performances with Matt over a three year period, I asked if he would like to go into the studio and let me produce and record 12 songs. He was very excited, since his last album was recorded more than ten years earlier," says Bob Christina. "The album concept was to record songs of artists he either played with or influenced, along with some special guests. We were able to complete one session, but Matt passed away one week before our final session. Determined to do my best to honor such a musical genius and wonderful person, two weeks later, I began contacting others to join the project. Due to a tremendous response, our original 12 song project grew to this double album. It was a blessing to share the stage with Matt and have him as a True Blues Brother. RIP Big Man."

True Blues Brother: The Legacy of Matt "Guitar" Murphy will be available in digital, CD and blue vinyl formats.  Preorders begin April 26.  Visit truebluesbrother.com and follow on Facebook @truebluesbrother for all related news and updates.