Nashville, TN - Popular worship leader William Murphy, who is best known as the writer of the Gospel hit "Praise Is What I Do" - the title track for Shekinah Glory Ministries' 2002 gold-selling album, has recently released his first major label project. The album All Day ... The William Murphy Project, which was recorded live in his hometown of Atlanta, Ga., hit stores August 16, 2005 on Sony Urban/EPIC.
"Let It Rise," the debut single off of the CD, is currently the third "Most Added" song on the R&R Gospel radio chart. It rests at #18 on the same chart, as well as at #16 on Billboard's Gospel radio chart. The single continues to gain adds on stations nationwide.
"William Murphy is one of the most sought-after worship leaders in the country, and he has become one of the gospel music industry's rising stars," says Tara Griggs-Magee, Executive Vice-President of Sony Urban Gospel. "We are pleased to have him join the Sony/EPIC music family."
Murphy, who grew in popularity as Senior Minister of Worship at Bishop Eddie Long's famed New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, has a simple explanation for his success. "Great musicians touch the hearts of men, but worshippers touch the heart of God," he says.
That is unmistakably true on the high-octane All Day ... The William Murphy Project. The live recording runs the gamut of contemporary gospel, urban, R&B, rock and pop. Murphy co-produced the album along with Warryn Campbell (Mary Mary, Brandy, Yolanda Adams) and PJ Morton (Men of Standard, Ted & Sheri). The CD unites the voices of Atlanta-area mega churches New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Hope and Life Fellowship, Free Chapel Worship Center, Church in the Now, Full Harvester and Cathedral of the Holy Spirit to create a powerfully bold sound. Billboard.com raves "with a voice that is almost extraterrestrial and a seasoned tunesmith's flair for catchy hooks and choruses, Murphy is poised on this debut to establish himself as an artist of major significance."
 On the album, Murphy once again lifts listeners' spirits with his hit "Praise Is What I Do." The song opens with an acoustic guitar and then builds into a powerful congregational anthem. Other inspirational songs include the heartfelt "I Know Why I Am Here" and the dance-inducing "Good." For "I Know Why I Am Here," the immensely talented singer-songwriter talks about how he was born out of wedlock to teen-aged parents who never married. In the song's narrative, he shares that neither his, nor any birth, is ever a "mistake" in God's sight. "Created to Worship" later kicks into gear with Murphy's passionate vocals backed by a piano. The song's power swells as the band and ensemble fall in, leading to a thrilling crescendo that suddenly drops to a gentle, reverential coda.
William Murphy has appeared on TBN's "Praise the Lord" as well as at Bishop T.D. Jakes' Mega Fest, AIM, COGIC, Gospel Fests, Music in the Rockies, and the GMWA convention. He was born and raised in Detroit, and later moved to Atlanta in 2001 in his late 20s to assume his role as Senior Minister of Worship at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church. His personal ministry - which includes live performances and conducting seminars - has grown to a level that calls him to travel and lead worship in churches across the United States on a frequent basis. He is currently in the planning stages of a Dream Center church plant which will begin it's membership growth in January of 2006.
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