Detroit-raised, Georgia-based pastor, music director, and singer William Murphy specializes in stirring praise & worship hymns that fuse old-school gospel with urban CCM. He initially gained wide acclaim providing the soaring lead vocal on the modern gospel standard ‘Praise Is What I Do,’ off his 2005 debut All Day. Along with his work as a pastor, Murphy has earned two Grammy nominations and several Top Ten Gospel album chart hits, including for his 2016 live album Demonstrate, 2019’s Settle Here, and 2022’s Worship & Justice.
Born William Henry Murphy, III in Detroit in 1973, Murphy grew up in a religious household as the son of Bishop William H. Murphy, Jr. and the grandson of pastor Dr. William H. Murphy, Sr. Raised in the church, he developed a love of singing and by his senior year of high school knew he wanted to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. At age 23, he was ordained an elder in his father’s ministry, and served in various roles including Minister of Music and Executive Pastor. In 2001, he and his wife, Pastor Danielle Murphy, relocated to Atlanta, Georgia where he started serving as worship minister at New Birth Missionary Church. Murphy released his debut album, All Day, in 2005, which featured the hit song ‘Praise Is What I Do.’ He continued his successful music career with albums like The Sound and the Grammy-nominated God Chaser. In 2019, his album Settle Here topped Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart, followed by the impactful Worship & Justice album in 2022.