EXCLUSIVE BAP INTERVIEW WITH SHIRLEY MURDOCK

By Ashley G. Woodson for Brotha Ash Productions

Evangelist Shirley Murdock came to Pittsburgh as a result of Pastor Karl Edmonds of Millennial Reign Family Worship Center located at 7202 Kelly Street in the Heart of Homewood, PA and the rest of the church family. Murdock was the last of four national recording artist who showed their support to the Reign's series to help the building located at North Homewood Avenue and Kelly Street. Thanks to the twins: Pastor Karl and Keith Edmonds for the invitation and to everyone who showed their support their to the Reign. You can visit Millennial Reign at www.millennialreign.org.

BROTHA ASH: WHEN DID YOU ENTER THE MUSIC INDUSTRY?

SHIRLEY MURDOCK: I've been in the music industry all of my life. I was ministering through a crusade team called to Techric based out of Columbus Ohio and I had a cousin that worked with Troutman Enterprises. We all got together and sang the Commodores song called "Jesus Is Love". My cousin let Rodger hear that tape and he said does she want to make records. My family was really excited that Rodger heard the tape. I remember going to speak with him letting him that I really didn't want to do R&B, just gospel music.

Through the years I had many chances to do R&B, but I turned them down. I started out as a gospel singer. Gospel music back then is not what it is today. There are so many different styles of gospel today. I asked the Lord if I should go through this door and I just walked in by faith.

BROTHA ASH: WHY GOSPEL MUSIC INSTEAD OF R&B MUSIC?

SHIRLEY MURDOCK: No matter what my job was it wasn't going to stop me from being who I was. I would do gospel at all of shows and people who may have had a relationship with God and strayed away, would come and talk to me after the show. We are all in the path of life and we're discovering who God wants us to be. My footsteps have been ordered by God. God has been growing me up and I answered the called. The good news that I preach is that God is not mad at you.

There is a world out there that needs to hear that message. There are so many people that will make you fell bad about the things of your past. I want to dispell that lie and let people know that God loves you no matter what.

BROTHA ASH: WHY DO YOU SING YOUR R&B AT GOSPEL EVENTS?

SHIRLEY MURDOCK: I sing my older hits at the gospel shows because it is my story and I think to deny my testimony is wrong. I tell people all the time to not let their past hold them hostage. I know when I'm singing "As We Lay" or "Without You", that it's clear to me what I'm singing about. I knew it was a song about consequences. I have to reconnect with my audience and bring them around to where I am. Some people can't take it when I sing my old hits at gospel shows. I only do it as the spirit leads. There are some shows that I won't sing the older hits because the spirit doesn't lead me to do so. People from back in day need to be reconnected to songs, but in a different way.

Because of the economy,there are not a lot of plays out there, but I'm still doing plays. I have an opportunity to sing, preach, do videos, plays and whatever God sees fit for me to do. I think sometimes we limit God. Every door he opens for me I walk right through.

BROTHA ASH: IS THERE ANYTHING SHIRLEY MURDOCK WANTS TO DO IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY YOU HAVEN'T DONE ALREADY?

In my heart of hearts, I want to do a whole new genre of music. I am a worshiper and I love it, but when you come out of holy of holies, you still got to live. We know how to do church, but do you know how to do mother, do you know how to do sister, do you know how to do wife, do you know how to do friend. We developed all these parts of ourselves to become a whole person. I did a secular love song for one of T.D. Jakes play a few years back and I think we need those songs. There is too much divorce and we need to remember why we fell in love. I want to continue to sing about every aspect of life.