Julie Murphy

The lead singer of popular folk-rock band, Eddie From Ohio, Julie Murphy has recorded two solo albums of show tunes and pop standards. Sophisticated Lady, which features songs by George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Billie Holiday, Stephen Sondheim, and Nat King Cole, was recorded at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA, during the first two solo concerts of Murphy's career. In a review of the album, the Washington Post wrote, "the album's title refers to Murphy's elegant pop demeanor, though, truth be told, her voice can also wax brassy, dreamy, sultry, and hip." A second solo album, No Rules, followed in 1999. A HRIM major at Virginia Tech, Murphy joined with three graduates of James Madison University, Robbie Shaefer, Eddie Hartness and Mike Clem, to form Eddie From Ohio in 1991. Initially concentrating on playing cover tunes in bars in the Washington, D.C., the group has been increasingly building its national following since signing with a booking agent in 1996. In addition to handling most of the band's lead vocals, Wells manages the group's accounts and merchandising. Wells was married to Greg Wells on October 3, 1997. Their son, Liam Murphy Wells, was born in February 2000. ~ Craig Harris, All Music Guide