Names You Might Not Know Yet - Murray Family

The Murray Family is from Ohio and consists of father Ernie, mom Connie, their sons Chris and Jason and their wives Cindy and Emily. And the third generation of Murrays who can sometimes be seen on stage are Shelby, Kylie, Brynna, Alivia and baby Levi.

I had the privilege of meeting this family in Branson at Silver Dollar City's Southern Gospel Picnic. They are such sweet people and the real deal! Get to know the Murray Family, and you will find out they are incredible people as I did!


Question: When did you start singing as a family? How is it traveling as a family?

The Murray Family: Our family started singing in 1997. It is a blessing to travel as a family sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. We laugh, cry, have devotions and are making some wonderful memories while traveling down the road. To be truthful, it gets crowded sometimes, (5 kids with 2 in diapers!!), plus 6 adults. Sometimes it is seems that we are like a day care on wheels. However, through all the good times and bad times, it is wonderful having a ministry with your family and with those that you love.


Q: As a bi-vocational group, what other jobs do you have, and how do you balance that?

Murrays: Balancing jobs through the week and singing is one of the most difficult tasks that we have. Jason and Emily work for an insurance company. Jason is an IT specialist and Emily is an underwriting clerk. Cindy works for the schools as a librarian. Chris is an OTR truck driver. Ernie is retired, but drives a bus for a local school district and Connie helps with the grandchildren. You have to truly love the ministry to do this while working normal jobs. We use all of our vacation through the year to accomadate the traveling with the group. This makes for a lot of late nights on Sunday evening returning home, and a lot of tired individuals on Monday morning. Although it is trying and tiring, it is well worth it to see souls saved and others uplifted and encouraged.


Q: What's the one thing that you want people who walk away from your concerts to know about the Murray Family?

Murrays: Our main objective is to share the message and love of Jesus Christ! Jesus stated in John 12:32 "If I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." We want people to know that we love Jesus and that HE has changed our lives forever and for the better, and that HE wants to do the same for you. We want people to know that His Holy Spirit lives in our lives. He leads us, guides us, and drives us! We want to share that love with those struggling, sad, feeling alone, or most of all for those who have never accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior.


Q: Do you have a favorite song that you sing? And what song from another group has ministered to you?

Murrays: That is difficult question because we love the songs that we sing. We all have a lot of favorites. Ernie - "He's Alive," Connie - "It Won't Be Long," Chris - "Lazarus," Cindy - "I'm Going Where He Lives," Emily - "Going Home," and Jason - "To The Glory Of My Father."

We'll just give you songs that have touched us individually. Ernie - "Two Winning Hands" (The Hinsons), Connie - "I'll Be Alright As Soon As I Touch Calvary" (Mike Bowling), Cindy - "Thank You For Saving Me" (The Primitive Quartet), Chris - "I'm Amazed" (Jason Crabb and The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir), Emily - "The Broken Ones" (The Talleys), Jason - "I Believe" (Dailey and Vincent).


Q: What artists have been your biggest influence (musically and/or personally)?

Murrays:  Ernie, Connie and Cindy - The Primitive Quartet, Emily - The Martins,  Jason - Tim Surrett and Ben Isaacs (musically) and The Primitive Quartet (personally), Chris - Mike Riddle and David Johnson (musically) and The Primitive Quartet (personally).


Q: What has been your favorite memory so far in your ministry? Do you have a certain concert that stands out?

Murrays: Our favorite concerts and church services are those where people have came to know Christ as their personal savior. We have made many friends and memories where we have laughed and cried over the years. We look forward to making many more memories.

Our favorite concerts would have to be playing at Silver Dollar City and Dollywood last year. Another favorite concert was the times we have played at the Primitive Quartet singings at Hominy Valley in Candler, NC.


Q: What new things are coming up for the Murray Family?

Murrays: We are excited about what God has in store for us in 2013! We are going back to the studios in June to record our second project with Crossroads music in Arden, NC. God is opening up doors for our ministry to sing at churches where we have been in the past and for many new places this year. We are also going to be singing again at Dollywood for Harvest Fest this fall, The Gospel Barn in Somerset, Ky. in October, and the 4th of July Celebration in Williamsburg, Ky.! We are excited about how God is expanding our ministry and we pray for it to grow even more. Please keep us in your prayers because it is our desire to be a full-time ministry. We would love to come be with you at your church or venue sometime. You can check us out at our website at murrayfamilymusic.com, facebook.com/murrayfamilymusic, or twitter.com/murraysonthego. God Bless you!


Thanks Murray Family for taking the time to answer my questions and for allowing readers an insight into your ministry!