Joaquin Murphey


Earl James "Joaquin" Murphey was an American lap steel guitarist. Nicknamed "Joaquin" by bandleader Spade Cooley to refer to the San Joaquin Valley, Murphey was the cutting edge lap steel guitarist of his time due to his clean legato playing and innovative chordal style. He was discovered by Cooley in 1943 and was a member of Cooley's organization on and off for the next decade. He also worked with Tex Williams and the Western Caravan, a band formed in 1946 by Cooley's former vocalist and a number of his musicians. Murphey also recorded with the western band Andy Parker and the Plainsmen. Music historian Andy Volk described Murphey as "a jazz musician disguised as a cowboy".
He had a long-lasting friendship with inventor and guitar hardware manufacturer Paul Bigsby, who custom-built
at least three steel guitars for him.
Murphey also recorded with various West Coast western swing and honky-tonk acts but seldom recorded on his behalf.
In 1980, he was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame
His contemporaries included Herb Remington, Leon McAuliffe, Noel Boggs and Speedy West.
Many steel guitarists such as West and Buddy Emmons claimed Murphey as their main influence and mentor.