Songfest 2015-featured guest artist Francine Ealey Murphy

Songfest 2015-featured guest artist Francine Ealey Murphy

From Barbara Scruggs

Renowned, anointed and accomplished gospel vocalist, producer and recording artist, Francine Ealey Murphy will be the featured guest musician/artist at the Mount Hermon A.M.E. Church—Voices of Praise Choir—Songfest 2015.  The theme for this year’s musical production is: Songfest 2015: “I will bless your name.” — Psalms 145:1KJV.

Murphy began singing at the tender age of three.  As a child, she honed her musical gifts and skills as part of the Spirit of Life Ensemble, under the direction of noted recording artist and choir director, Pastor Avery Jones.

As a high school student, she continued her musical pursuits under the skillful, watchful eye of the late Dr. Roscoe Speed.

Upon high school graduation, Murphy’s love of music and desire to learn under the best lead her to Bethune-Cookman University(B-CU), where she further developed her talents under the direction of the legendary Professor Rebecca Steele.

It was not long before she became a featured soloist and section lead of the famed B-CU Gospel Choir, which gave her the opportunity to tour the country. After college, Murphy returned to Miami, where she became a member of the Heavenly Angels and began to write and produce songs for this sought after ensemble.

Their first project was recorded in 1990 was entitled “New Heights”.  Later, Murphy produced her church choir’s album, writing most of the songs, directing and serving as lead vocalist. The El Bethel Tabernacle Mass Choir released their first recording entitled, “I Can Not Tell It All” in 1994.  In 1997, she and the choir recorded “For Greater Glory” which received impressive airplay.

She is the Minister of Music at El Bethel Tabernacle Outreach Ministries, where she previously served under the late founder, Dr. Beatrice Ealey, and now under her beloved Pastor Elder Raymond Baker.

A truly phenomenal talent, Francine has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in the gospel music industry, including Pastor Shirley Caesar, Rev. John P. Kee, the late James Moore; Vanessa  Bell Armstrong, Vickie Winans, Dr. Helen Baylor, The Williams Brothers, Johnny Sanders and Sherman Woods, just to name a few.

In 2002 she signed a recording contract with BMLE Records and released “I Repent” which she, Robert (Bobby) Spry, Sam Boone, Jr. and Grammy award winning engineer Julio Fererro co-produced. I Repent served as Francine’s international introduction.

Since that time, God has enlarged her territory and has blessed her to tour Europe every year since 2004, performing before tens of thousands in France, Spain, Italy, Portugal and many other countries.

Murphy has also lent her powerful, raspy soprano vocals to numerous international music projects.  In addition, she can be heard on Elder Jimmy Hicks latest hit CD Born Blessed where she serves as lead on the song Sweet Life.

God has richly blessed Francine and has anointed her for the nations.  A noted actress, she has been featured in Michael Matthew’s gospel stage play “Love the One your’re With” ; appeared in the hit gospel stage play “The Proverbs”  written and produced by Moses Washington and is currently on tour with the Gospel Musical “Mahalia”  written by Tom Stolz, directed by John Pryor, and produced by the M Ensemble.

Expanding her talents, Murphy is the president and CEO of her own production & record company, Girlygirl Entertainment. Most recently, she produced her first artist, Evangelist Eddie Mae Hood’s CD, entitled Let’s Go Way Back In God. Murphy’s sophomore music project was entitled Not Bitter, But I’m Better.

Murphy’s hit single Ya Pushing Me was released in 2012 and is on ITunes and Amazon and can be heard across the air waves. In 2013 Murphy was the artistic director for the One Hundred Voice Choir in Paris, France, where she toured Europe for six months.

She had the esteemed pleasure to sing with the American Singers in Rome, Italy on Easter Sunday.  God has truly blessed her and prepared her to impact and change lives across the world.

The public is cordially invited to come. For additional information kindly contact Barbara Scruggs (954) 257-8019 or Barbara Hagan at (954) 383-0780.

Songfest 2015 will be held on Saturday, Aug. 22, at 6 p.m. Mt. Hermon is located at 401 N.W. Seventh Terr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla.