King Daddy brings his musical Camelot back to Sonoma

In case you missed him last night at the City Party, King Daddy Murr (Johnn Murphy) is back in town. Why is this important and who cares?

At one time, Murr was as integral a piece of the Sonoma Valley music scene as just about anyone – and, in many ways, he still is. After spending an entire career working at the Sonoma Developmental Center, Murr and his wife retired to the Big Easy where he has family and has been living the Life of Reilly, playing wherever he can and just flat out enjoying retirement. Roll the clock back a couple of decades – when, if you played music in Sonoma Valley, you likely played in one of his bands such as Murphy’s Garage, with rotating members from the folks that jammed in his garage. That act eventually turned into Highway 12 and then, when he got tired of carrying around a full set of drums, created his act “E. Z. Kewl,” who played “jazzy” renditions of popular songs, and he used a cocktail drum kit he could literally pick up with one hand and carry out of the show. We used to joke that Murr would play anywhere, even in the produce aisle of a grocery store. Then it happened – an actual regular gig at the Whole Foods produce aisle.

Catch Murr Aug.1 at 6:30 p.m. at Annex Wine Bar; Aug. 2, at B&V Whiskey Bar and Grille at 3 p.m. and then at the Blue Moon Saloon at 10 p.m.

James

Marshall

Berry

jmberry@sonoma?music.com