Shirley Murdock

Shirley Murdock was born on May 22nd 1957 in Toledo, Ohio, U.S.A. Murdock started out singing gospel music in her native Toledo. Singer/musician Roger Troutman hired Murdock as a backing singer for his family’s band Zapp, which had several hits on Warner Bros. (and its Reprise Records imprint). Based on this success, Troutman began recording tracks with Murdock and lead singer Sugarfoot of the Ohio Players, among others, at his Dayton-based recording studio, Troutman Sound Labs.

Murdock signed with Elektra Records and released “No More”, written by Shirley Murdock and Gregory Jackson (Cincinnati, Ohio funk keyboardist and member of Zapp), which made it to number 24 R&B in early 1986. Then came her signature hit, “As We Lay”, written by Zapp’s Larry Troutman and keyboardist Billy Beck (of the Ohio Players). The tender, melancholy ballad made it to the R&B Top Ten in 1986 and peaked at number 23 pop and number 21 on the adult contemporary chart in early 1987. Her debut album went gold, also helped along by the follow-up hits “Go on Without You” and “Be Free.” She also released albums in 1988 (A Woman’s Point of View) and 1991 (Let There Be Love!). In early 2000, Murdock toured in the inspirational/gospel play Be Careful What You Pray For with Cuba Gooding, Sr. and David Peaston.

Murdock released Home, her gospel-music debut album, in 2002 on T.D. Jakes’ Dexterity Sounds record label. She made her acting debut in the movie Sweating in the Spirit. Most recently, Murdock has signed with Tyscot Records and released her most recent album Soulfood in March 2007.