Anne Murray

Born: 20 June 1946, Springhill, Nova Scotia, Canad

Sometimes known as "The Singing Sweetheart Of Canada", Murray graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a degree in physical education, and then spent a year as a teacher. After singing simply for pleasure for a time, in 1964 she was persuaded to audition for Sing Along Jubilee, a regional television show, but was selected instead for the same network's Let's Go, hosted by Bill Langstroth (her future husband). Income from a residency on the programme and solo concerts was sufficient for Murray to begin entertaining professionally in a vaguely folk/country rock style, though she could also acquit herself admirably with both R&B and mainstream pop material. Like Linda Ronstadt - seen by some as her US opposite number - she was mainly an interpreter of songs written by others. Issued by Arc Records, What About Me (1968) created sufficient impact to interest Capitol Records, who signed her to a long-term contract. Two years later, her version of Gene MacLellan's remarkable "Snowbird', taken from the album This Was My Way, soared into Billboard"s Top 10.
Despite regular appearances on Glen Campbell's Goodtime Hour television series, subsequent releases - including the title track to Talk It Over In The Morning - sold only moderately until 1973 when she scored another smash hit with "Danny's Song", composed by Kenny Loggins (with whom she duetted 11 years later on "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do', a country chart-topper). She was rated Billboard"s second most successful female artist in 1976, but family commitments necessitated a brief period of domesticity before "You Needed Me" won her a Grammy Award for best female pop vocal performance in 1978. While revivals of Bobby Darin's "Things" and the Monkees' "Daydream Believer" were aimed directly at the pop market, it was with the country audience that she proved most popular. "He Thinks I Still Care" (originally a b-side) became her first country number 1. However, along with "Just Another Woman In Love", "Could I Have This Dance" (from the movie Urban Cowboy), the bold "A Little Good News" (1983) and other country hits, she had also recorded a collection of children's ditties (Hippo In My Tub), commensurate with her executive involvement with Canada's Save The Children Fund. In 1989 Springhill's Anne Murray Center was opened in recognition of her tireless work for this charity. Three years later she played Las Vegas, with a show that amply demonstrated her excellent delivery and superior choice of songs. These strengths were consistently reflected in her recorded output during the 90s. In 1999, she released her first collection of hymns and inspirational songs.

Discography:

Album
Honey Wheat & Laughter
Gift Set
This Way Is My Way
Straight Clean & Simple
2005 All of Me
2004 I'll Be Seeing You
2002 Country Croonin'
2001 What a Wonderful Christmas
1999 What a Wonderful World: 26 Inspirational Classics
1998 An Intimate Evening with Anne Murray
1996 Anne Murray [1996]
1995 My Christmas Favorites
1994 Now & Forever
1993 Croonin'
1993 Both Sides Now [Aura]
1991 Yes I Do
1990 You Will
1989 Harmony
1988 As I Am
1986 Something to Talk About
1985 Heart Over Mind
1985 Favorites
1983 Little Good News
1982 Hottest Night of the Year
1981 Christmas Wishes