Roger Murrah

Roger Alan Murrah

(1946-11-20) November 20, 1946
Athens, Alabama

Biography[edit]

Early life[edit]

Roger Murrah was born on November 20, 1946, in Athens, Alabama.

Career[edit]

After working in the late 1960s as a staff writer, he opened his own studio in Huntsville, Alabama. He then moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and in 1972 made his first appearance on the national charts with "It's Raining in Seattle" by Wynn Stewart.[1] In 1990, he started his own publishing company, Murrah Music and in 1992 was named Billboard's Independent Publisher of the Year.[1] Murrah signees include: Mark Alan Springer, Neal Coty, Rachel Proctor, Luke Bryan, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Steve Azar, Phillip White, Rachel Thibodeau, Michael Mobley, Jimmy Melton and Jon Henderson. His songs have been recorded by artists including: Al Jarreau, Alan Jackson, Barbara Mandrell, Tanya Tucker, The Oak Ridge Boys, Wynonna Judd, Mel Tillis, Take 6, Alabama, Conway Twitty, Ronnie Milsap, and Waylon Jennings.


He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005.[2] Additionally, he has served five terms as Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF), and two consecutive terms as president of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI).[1]

"" — Mel Tillis 1981[3]

Southern Rains

"" — Steve Wariner 1986[4]

Life's Highway

"" — Lee Greenwood 1986[5]

Hearts Aren't Made to Break (They're Made to Love)

"" — Oak Ridge Boys 1987[6]

It Takes a Little Rain (To Make Love Grow)

"" — Oak Ridge Boys 1987[7]

This Crazy Love

"" — Alabama 1989[8]

High Cotton

"" — Alabama 1990[9]

Southern Star

"" — Alan Jackson 1991[10]

Don't Rock the Jukebox

"" — Alabama 1992[11]

I'm in a Hurry (And Don't Know Why)

"" — Clay Walker 1994[12]

If I Could Make a Living

1988 BMI Songwriter of the Year[13]

[1]

1980's BMI Songwriter of the Decade [13]

[1]

BMI Millionaire Airplay Award (for over one million radio performances of 's "We're in This Love Together.")[1]

Al Jarreau

3rd BMI Millionaire Airplay Award (for over three million radio performances of 's "We're in This Love Together.")[1]

Al Jarreau

CMA Song Of The Year Nomination (1991) 's "Don't Rock the Jukebox."[1]

Alan Jackson

CMA Song Of The Year Nomination (1992) 's "Don't Rock the Jukebox."[1]

Alan Jackson

BMI 2nd Millionaire Airplay Award (for over two million radio performances of 's "Don't Rock the Jukebox.")[1]

Alan Jackson

BMI Millionaire Airplay Award (for over one million radio performances of 's "Only Love.")[1]

Wynonna

BMI 2nd Millionaire Airplay Award (for over two million radio performances of 's "High Cotton.")[1]

Alabama

BMI Millionaire Airplay Award (for over one million radio performances of 's "Southern Star.")[1]

Alabama

BMI 2nd Millionaire Airplay Award (for over two million radio performances of 's "I'm In A Hurry (And Don't Know Why).")[1]

Alabama

BMI 2nd Millionaire Airplay Award (for over two million radio performances of 's "It's a Little Too Late.")[1]

Tanya Tucker

BMI Millionaire Airplay Award (for over one million radio performances of ' "This Crazy Love.")[1]

The Oak Ridge Boys

BMI Millionaire Airplay Award (for over one million radio performances of 's "Where Corn Don't Grow.")[1]

Travis Tritt

Murrah Music website

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

In The Spotlight Feature Interview 2010

Interview, HitQuarters June 2009

American Songwriter February 19, 2009

Alabama Music Hall of Fame

American Chronicle Feature 2006

Bluegrass Journal February 18, 2010

BMI Music World Feature Interview, June 2006

NAMM Oral History Program Interview, July 2009

MusicRow September 7, 2010