Back in April of this calendar year we revived a communication through our Facebook/Pickboy page from a young guitarist named JJ Murphy. Let me preface this all by mentioning that we receive solicitations for endorsement and/or sponsorship on a daily basis.

Rarely do these amount to more than something like this: “This is Bobby Fastfingers and I play for Demolition of the Chocolate Apocalypse. Give me something for free because everybody who sees me play in my garage thinks I’m great”

Well JJ Murphy wrote, “I play in a band named Dynamo and we just cut a live CD at Ocean Ways Studio.” Needless to say he had pinged my musical attention radar. So I responded, “Send me your EPK to my email address. Usually this separates the pretenders from the alphas. If you don’t know what an EPK is you can’t send it.

The next day I receive JJ’s Electronic Press Kit in my inbox. Here’s his opening paragraph:

“My name is JJ Murphy, I am a 24 year old Nashville based guitarist. Fellow musicians have encouraged me to reach out to you and inquire about getting an artist sponsorship.  After every performance I do, guitarists ask me about my gear and even go as far as to take pictures of my set up and ask if I could loan them some of the picks I use. I have been using mainly your Pos-a-Grip 1.5mm and the carbon/nylon 1.14mm picks and they have been amazing.”

He was even gracious enough to indicate the exact time his solo started in the first video!

“I solo at 2:22”

I figured I’d start there and if he didn’t burn I’d blow him off. I have a stock ‘you’re making great progress, not what we are looking for, keep us posted of your future…..’ rejection letter ready to send. I would not be hitting the send button on that letter that day. What I heard knocked my socks off!

There seems to be a movement of late of bands that can actually play. They make music that matter. Bands like Snarky Puppy and Dirty Loops are putting emphasis song writing, tight arrangements and tasteful soloing.

Dynamo is absolutely in this same class.

Every now and then a band or artist comes along that gives us hope that there is still great music being created. It’s our jobs as listeners and fans to seek out and support the best of the music that speaks to us. JJ Murphy and Dynamo are sharks in an ocean of musically inferior minnows.

It gives me great pleasure to introduce Pickboy endorsee, JJ Murphy!

Click here to learn more about JJ Murphy and Dynamo.