Lillian McMurry
Encyclopedia
Lillian Shedd McMurry was an American record producer, influential in the development of blues
music.
Lillian Shedd was born in Purvis, Mississippi
, and married furniture-store owner Willard McMurry in 1945, settling in Jackson, Mississippi
. In 1949, she was helping her husband clear out a shop he had bought when she came upon a pile of old shellac 78rpm phonograph discs
, including Wynonie Harris
' recording of "All She Wants to Do Is Rock". Curious, McMurry played it on the store's record player and became so inspired that, as well as selling the stock she had discovered, she also decided to record more music like it. By her own account, until that point she, as a white woman, had been completely unaware of the music being made on her doorstep by her African-American neighbours.
She formed Trumpet Records
in Jackson in 1950. The first releases were of gospel music, but she soon auditioned and recorded both slide guitarist Elmore James
, on his original recording of "Dust My Broom", and "Sonny Boy Williamson" (Aleck "Rice" Miller)
. Initially, McMurry apparently thought that "Williamson" was the original musician of that name
. Many of the sides he first recorded for Trumpet, such as "Eyesight to the Blind" and "Nine Below Zero", later became blues standards.
Rising debts caused Trumpet to fold in 1955, and McMurry went back to working in her husband's shop. In 1998, she was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame
, one of the few record producers to be granted that honour.
On November 17, 2007, Lillian Shedd McMurry and Willard McMurry were honored with a historical marker on their former recording studio in Jackson, Mississippi
. Her daughter, Vitrice, her son-in-law, and her granddaughter attended along with Dr. Woody Sistrunk. The McMurry family was awarded a plaque to go along with the historical marker.
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
music.
Lillian Shedd was born in Purvis, Mississippi
Purvis, Mississippi
Purvis is a city in Lamar County, Mississippi, United States. It is part of the Hattiesburg, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,164 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Lamar County. The Town of Purvis was incorporated on February 25, 1888 and was founded by...
, and married furniture-store owner Willard McMurry in 1945, settling in Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
. In 1949, she was helping her husband clear out a shop he had bought when she came upon a pile of old shellac 78rpm phonograph discs
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
, including Wynonie Harris
Wynonie Harris
Wynonie Harris , born in Omaha, Nebraska, was an American blues shouter and rhythm and blues singer of upbeat songs, featuring humorous, often ribald lyrics. With fifteen Top 10 hits between 1946 and 1952, Harris is generally considered one of rock and roll's forerunners, influencing Elvis Presley...
' recording of "All She Wants to Do Is Rock". Curious, McMurry played it on the store's record player and became so inspired that, as well as selling the stock she had discovered, she also decided to record more music like it. By her own account, until that point she, as a white woman, had been completely unaware of the music being made on her doorstep by her African-American neighbours.
She formed Trumpet Records
Trumpet Records
Trumpet Records was a recording company started by Henry and Lillian McMurry in Jackson, Mississippi in 1951.-History of Trumpet Records:The goal of Trumpet Records was to provide a means of recording some of the most popular combos in the Mississippi Delta region that were going unrecorded because...
in Jackson in 1950. The first releases were of gospel music, but she soon auditioned and recorded both slide guitarist Elmore James
Elmore James
Elmore James was an American blues guitarist, singer, songwriter and band leader. He was known as "the King of the Slide Guitar" and had a unique guitar style, noted for his use of loud amplification and his stirring voice.-Biography:James was born Elmore Brooks in the old Richland community in...
, on his original recording of "Dust My Broom", and "Sonny Boy Williamson" (Aleck "Rice" Miller)
Sonny Boy Williamson II
Willie "Sonny Boy" Williamson was an American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, from Mississippi. He is acknowledged as one of the most charismatic and influential blues musicians, with considerable prowess on the harmonica and highly creative songwriting skills...
. Initially, McMurry apparently thought that "Williamson" was the original musician of that name
Sonny Boy Williamson I
Sonny Boy Williamson was an American blues harmonica player and singer, and the first to use the name Sonny Boy Williamson.-Biography and career:...
. Many of the sides he first recorded for Trumpet, such as "Eyesight to the Blind" and "Nine Below Zero", later became blues standards.
Rising debts caused Trumpet to fold in 1955, and McMurry went back to working in her husband's shop. In 1998, she was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame
Blues Hall of Fame
The Blues Hall of Fame is a listing of people who have significantly contributed to blues music. Started in 1980 by the Blues Foundation, it honors those who have performed, recorded, or documented blues.-1980:*Big Bill Broonzy*Willie Dixon*John Lee Hooker...
, one of the few record producers to be granted that honour.
On November 17, 2007, Lillian Shedd McMurry and Willard McMurry were honored with a historical marker on their former recording studio in Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
. Her daughter, Vitrice, her son-in-law, and her granddaughter attended along with Dr. Woody Sistrunk. The McMurry family was awarded a plaque to go along with the historical marker.