Joaquin Murphey
Earl James "Joaquin" Murphey was an American steel guitarist. Nicknamed "Joaquin" by bandleader Spade Cooley to refer to the San Joaquin Valley, Murphey was the cutting edge 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.
He had a long-lasting friendship with inventor and guitar hardware manufacturer Paul Bigsby, who custom-built
at least three lap-steel 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 illustrious steel guitarists such as West and Buddy Emmons claimed Murphey as their main influence and mentor.
