Shirley Murdock

Early life Murdock was born on May 22, 1957 in Toledo, Ohio. She attended and graduated from St. Ursula Academy.

Career Murdock started out singing gospel music in her native Toledo.

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. The album is produced by a list of music engineers, alongside Murdock's husband, Dale Degroat. AllMusic review singled out album's highlights, such as: "We Need a Word From the Lord" (giving a "powerful, message-driven" performance); "Never Let You Down" ( "beautiful song of encouragement"; and inspirational song "The Dream That Would Not Die".

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 in March 2007.

In 2009, Murdock collaborated with Teena Marie on the song "Soldier", from Marie's album Congo Square. She also appeared in the 2009 stage play A Mother's Prayer, with Johnny Gill, Robin Givens, and Jermaine Crawford. She also appeared in "A Mother's Love" a stage play produced by Kandi Burruss and Todd Tucker in 2014.

Discography Studio albums Year Album details Peak chart positions Certifications US US R&B USGos 1986 Shirley Murdock! First studio album Release date: February 18, 1986 Label: Elektra 44 9 — RIAA: Gold 1988 A Woman's Point of View Second studio album Release date: May 31, 1988 Label: Elektra 137 19 — 1991 Let There Be Love! Third studio album Release date: June 17, 1991 Label: Elektra — 22 — 2002 Home Fourth studio album Release date: February 26, 2002 Label: Chordant/EMI — — 9 2007 Soulfood Fifth studio album Release date: March 20, 2007 Label: Tyscot — 71 7 "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Live albums Year Album details Peak US Gos 2011 Live: The Journey First live album Release date: October 18, 2011 Label: Tyscot 24

Compilation albums YearAlbum details 2001 The Very Best of Shirley Murdock First compilation album Released: May 15, 2001 Label: Elektra/Rhino/Atlantic

Singles Year Single Peak chart positions Album US 1986 "No More" — 24 — 27 — — Shirley Murdock! "Truth or Dare" — — — — — 60 "As We Lay" 23 5 21 — — — 1987 "Go on Without You" — 5 — — — — "Be Free" — 86 — — — — 1988 "Husband" — 5 — — — — A Woman's Point of View "Oh What a Feeling" — — — — — — "Found My Way" — — — — — — 1991 "In Your Eyes" — 7 — — — — Let There Be Love! "Stay with Me Tonight" — 34 — — — — 1992 "Let There Be Love!" — 89 — 47 — — 2007 "I Love Me Better Than That" — — — — 22 — Soulfood 2011 "Dream" — — — — 22 — Live: The Journey "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.