Russ Murphy was raised in the central Texas towns of Hubbard and Waco before moving to Lubbock to attend Texas Tech University.  While at Tech Russ became actively involved in the College Ministry of First Baptist Church where he wrote 2 full length musicals that were performed by the 100 voice University Singers choir.  It was during this time that Russ met his life-long friend, Bill Gammill.  Bill and Russ eventually partnered to form the singing duo of Gammill and Murphy.  During the 1980’s Bill and Russ performed over 2,000 times and released 3 albums which featured numerous songs written by Russ.

From 1989 until 2005 Russ was the College Minister at Indiana Avenue Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas.  The group started with only 9 students but over time the Lord grew the group to over 1,200 students coming each Sunday where Russ would lead worship and preach to (at the time) the largest college ministry in the United States.  Word of his ministry spread which resulted in a featured segment on the 700 Club television show.  While at IABC Russ also wrote and produced three more of his musicals, “It Was His Love,” “In the Presence of My King” and “The Greatest Gift of All” each performed by the Indiana Avenue choir and orchestra under the direction of Bill Gillum.

In August of 2006 Russ and his wife, Saralyn, moved to Nashville, Tennessee to develop his talents for songwriting and singing.  In less than 18 months Russ has seen three of his songs go to #1 on the national Inspirational Country charts (“Welcome Home Soldier,” “My America,” and “Godly Man.”) and two more of his songs go into the top 20.  Russ was nominated in 2006 and 2007 as ICM Songwriter of the Year and just recently won the 2007 ICM New Artist of the Year Award.  His stirring tribute to our military, “Welcome Home Soldier,” sung by Mike Hammock, was nominated as 2006 Song of the Year and Russ has given out over 25,000 copies of the song to our veterans and troops.  A big THANK YOU goes Bill Stewart who financed the “Welcome Home Soldier” song and project.

Russ sings and preaches in churches all across America as well as appearing at major conferences highlighted by singing for the Military Order of the Purple Hearts in Washington, D.C. and at the West Point Military Academy in New York.  He also travels the world sharing the Good News of Christ in such places as Kenya, Italy, Sicily, England, Germany, Israel, Canada, Bolivia and China.

Since moving to Nashville Russ has been working with award-winning producer and songwriter, Robert Jason, who has had his songs recorded by such artists as Reba McIntire, Alabama, Rod Stewart, Melissa Etheridge, Barry White and the Fox Brothers.  Robert and Russ have co-written two songs that will be on Russ’ new CD including the song, “Wood and Steel,” a song written for Russ’ grandfather, J.Nolan Murphy of Hubbard, Texas.  The Lord surely knew what He was doing when he put Robert and Russ together.   Saralyn is an outstanding math teacher at Independence High School and remains a constant inspiration to Russ in his life, ministry and music.  Russ feels like he is the most blessed man on earth because of Jesus, Saralyn, his family and so many wonderful, caring friends.