Transparent Christian Magazine

Singer, songwriter and recording artist Jim Murphy doesn’t strike you as a typical Record Label Executive. His boyish good looks, Arkansas drawl, quick smile and penchant for bursts of laughter remind you more of your best friend or favorite brother-in-law. Behind his genuine easy going nature, I was intrigued to find a savvy businessman, with a heart for Jesus, music, artists and fans.

Jim was recently in town for the Gospel Music Association annual convention and I met with him in the lobby of the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Nashville. We found a quiet alcove with a high table and chatted for about an hour or so. We talked about his new hit cd “Everything Changes” and the two top 15 songs that it already delivered, as well as the new song that is quickly climbing the charts.

We also discussed Mission House Music, God, and Key Lime Pie…

Jim: “Jason, in the interest of full disclosure, I wanted to let you know that I am part owner of Mission House Music.”

TCM: “Yeah? Talk to me about that!“
Jim: “Several years ago… It was actually at a very difficult time in my life. I was working in the family business and I was comfortable… but also miserable because I wasn’t going after the dream that God put in my heart, and I knew it. I was at a spot in my life and career, that every time something really good happened, something bad happened or someone would let me down. I was feeling really rough one night and I woke up at 2:00 am. I was hungry and I went in the refrigerator and pulled out an Edwards Keylime pie, you know, those individual pies?? There was one left. I flipped the box over and there was a bible verse on the box! I didn’t know that Edwards did that, and the verse said “Delight yourself in the Lord, and I will give you the desires of your heart”. I was overcome with emotion. {Murphy chokes up a bit} It said “Delight yourself in ME” not with worry, not with frustration… “And I will GIVE you the desires of your heart.” That was the inspiration for the label… It was one of those moments that I really felt God was speaking with me. I saved the box, I’ve still got it. I woke my wife up in the morning and showed it to her. She said “man, that’s incredible”. People talk to me at my shows and tell me that God can take something like sorrow and use it for something positive in their life. When everything is going great, it’s easy to praise the Lord, but you praise him in the good and the bad. Delight in HIM.”

TCM: “That’s a great testimony. Tell me… why did you dream of having a label?”

Jim: “Actually I never really dreamed of running or even starting a Label it was only evident to me after I began as a solo Artist that I wanted to become involved with a Label in order to change the way things were done within. IE; Giving back more control/freedom to the Artist …I initially signed as a solo artist in 2004 with Mission House Music Group. In early 2005 there were talks of the label disolving. I and a few others, for the sake of keepng the Mission House name alive purchased the label and have since reorganized it as “Mission House Music.”

TCM: “Really? How has that transition made you look at the recording industry?”
Jim: “Well, when an artist writes something, they KNOW how they want it to come out. I learned early on in my career that when there’s a label involved, you have a tendency to lose all your control [as an artist] and you are at the beck-and-call of someone else. I wanted more control over my career and I wanted to offer that same type of freedom to artists, and at the same time provide them the support and connections they need. We want them to be at the center [of their career] and have a more hands on approach. Music is artistry not recordology. When music started getting really popular, it wasn’t RCA, it was Elvis Presley… it was Patsy cline. The industry has gotten so far away from what people want… they want that personal touch. The consumer has lost touch with who the artist is, and that’s partially the fault of the business of music. At Mission House Music, we encourage grass roots methods… like touring; there is no greater marketing tool than touring, it builds your brand, your fans, and it’s all about word of mouth. ”Hey, I saw this amazing show last month, and they’re coming to town again, come with me!” It’s easy for me to speak about this, because I’m convicted. Daily I’m saying ‘Lord let me be a vessel for your Kingdom’. I’ve placed everything with him, and if he’s right at the center of everything we cannot fail. He has promised that… it’s a critical part of my music, of our music. The industry as a whole seems to be responding to that somewhat.”

TCM: “Your music has been featured on numerous popular radio networks such as “American Family Radio“, “Moody Broadcasting“, “UCB Europe”, ” Pilgrim Radio Network“, “Back to the Bible”, as well as hundreds of other stations here in the U.S. and Abroad. Tell me about hearing your music on the radio.”
Jim: “At first when I was driving and I would hear a song, it was really neat… To this day though, my mom loves it, she’ll call when she hears one of my songs, and she’ll say “I heard you on the radio!!” I listen more now to stay on top of the lyrics. You write a song, and you’re expected to remember it!! (Laughs). Radio is a great tool, though. The problem is when I listen I hear all of the little issues with my songs that I wish were different, so I am not listening the same as someone else. However, there are some neat examples of people hearing these songs on the radio and being touched by them. I was in downtown Dallas, and I had a radio interview. A lady called into the station and said “I had to take my car into the shop, and they disconnected the battery. I didn’t have my presets anymore, and I was scanning the channels, and I heard Start All Over.” She said it was a message for her in her life about starting all over, and she felt like it was a God moment. (The station wasn’t one of her presets, so she never would have heard the song, if the car wasn’t in the shop!) That was very cool to hear.”

TCM: “Talk to me about “Everything Changes”. I love the way the cd starts, with the Twila Paris song “How Beautiful”. The way that that song begins, you know you’re going to get something positive. It’s a much more upbeat and rocking version of that popular song. How did you come up with that arrangement?”
Jim: Shannon Becker, our radio promotions person at Mission House, helped with the original idea. Our producer George Hairr collaborated as well. We wanted to put this in a rock feel and Jeff Roach, who was the session leader, started playing this great idea on the piano. When we got in the studio, it just took off. The arrangement’s fun and the musicians are incredible. It starts off with that positive energy and we had this live string section which blew it up even more. We were listening back and thought “This is unbelievable; this song has God’s hands on it”.

TCM: “I also like the song your wrote, “Break Free”. Can you tell me about that song?”
Jim: “It came from speaking with people that have dealt with alcoholism, adultery, and other issues and struggles that have caused their lives to be broken. I know how Satan works; he’ll take an anthill and make a mountain out of it. As an example, if it’s addiction, or depression, he’ll make us feel like we are absolutely trapped where we can’t get out. What Jesus did is break those chains. Satan can’t bind us as Christians. Jesus paid the price and removed that bondage. The Deceiver wants to say “your God’s not big enough”. Just like The Devil came and tempted Jesus; he comes to us and says “you can’t function without this drink, or this pill or this addiction”. You have got worries; you need ME to help you get this. This is a big façade… and it’s where I came from. That’s the story behind Break Free, and it gets people’s feet tappin’ a bit so it covers all the bases!!” (Laughs).

Break Free Move Fast
From the chains that bind you down from your bitter past
Then move on, to a new life
Filled with faith from God above paid
with Sacrifice
Oh, Move on, Break Free

TCM: “You mention the phrase “blown away” on “Taken Back”, which is one of my favorite songs on the cd. How has God been blowing you away lately?”
Jim: “It blows me away on what he did on Calvary. I believe it was Todd Agnu’s version of My Jesus that I saw online that was overdubbed on a the scene from the movie Passion of the Christ where Jesus is being beaten… can you even begin to comprehend what Mary was going through?? Even Jesus felt that God had left him momentarily. I just want to give everything I have for him. Recently, though, the first 2 singles off the album made a run in the top 10 last fall: ”How Beautiful” and “Start All Over”. That’s a great way to SEE God working though the music and how it’s affecting people. As an example, I got an e-mail from someone that said “I heard your song Start Over, and I need to start over, thank you for this song”. God really is taking this music and using it in a mighty way. That brings me a peace and confirmation that this is what I’m supposed to be doing with my life. He’s opening doors day by day, man WHAT a Savior!!”

TCM: “I really liked the words to “Faith Hope and Love”, but one of the things I really noticed is that the harmonies are brilliantly done. I felt the same way about “You Are God”. I think harmonies are a lost art form, and these folks nailed it. Can you talk to me about that?”
Jim: Faith Hope and Love is almost like a duet as opposed to just harmony. I was honored to have Maria Long sing on that song. She’s an independent artist and is just as talented as you could imagine, and she’s got a great heart for the Lord and is really impacting people. On “You Are God,” a really talented 15 year old named Charity Vance sings harmony. Alan Farris helped produce that and came up with the arrangement, and Charity did a great job. That song is really fun at concerts because the audience can easily sing along, and I believe God wants us to have fun worshiping.

Jim talked a lot about his team at Mission House Music. He praised Alan Farris and called him a ‘crazy scary talented person’. Alan wrote the song Start All Over, and Jim said that Alan thinks “so far out of the box” at times. Alan also came up with some pretty cool touches on the cd, like the ominous keyboard part at the end of Taken Back that blends into the beginning of You’re All I Need. Jim mentioned Shannon Becker, his connections and his ability to connect with people. Jim also talked at length about his wife Beth, and her support of his mission and career. “I couldn’t do this without her support”. He talked about his tight family and his children and how he misses all of them when he’s on the road.

“Life’s short. What Mission House is doing NOW, today, we hope effects generations, long after we are gone. Our vision for the company is to keep affecting people.”–Jim Murphy

Jim says that Mission House stays small so that they are able to give each artist the attention he or she deserves, and they intend to stay “A close family that supports each other.” They provide quality marketing and support, but do it on a much more personal level. Their vision is different – they want to create a well-rounded artist by helping the artist show their heart through their music and performances. They know that the listener wants to connect with the artist that way, too, and creating that connection is what it’s all about at Mission House Music.

I asked him what type of advice he had for independent artists that were considering going with a label.

Jim: “I think that the number one benefit of being involved with a label is that the whole organization is working toward the same goal as a team. When you are independent, doing all the things you need to do by yourself can be a very scary process. With a label you have a support system for things like art direction, song selection, press, publicity, radio, and just having that support there. Other people giving you honest opinions… They may not be the opinions you want to hear! (laughs). But it definitely helps solidify things. I would recommend that anyone considering a label, make sure that God is at the center of the company and the people in the company. Don’t be fooled by the bright lights and the appeal of being with a label. Look deeply into all aspects of the label. Do research, meet the whole team. Some artists do just fine on their own, and not everyone needs a label… It benefits both parties, so make sure that the people and the whole endeavor stand the “God Test”. Do background checks like the FBI does (laughs!).”

Jim is committed to his mission and bringing great Christian music to the world. He says of God, “His will cannot be denied. Ultimately He will prevail and come through. I don’t want to appear to be perfect… I am SO unworthy of all of this. I am just trying to stay obedient and do what I feel God has called me to do”.