Carey Murdock

“Carey Murdock is an unusually generous, sophisticated and skilled young performer—a singer/songwriter whose talents seem to belie his age.  He has just set out on a career that is rich with promise, and we were delighted to have the opportunity to host his Augusta debut at the Morris Museum of Art.  The overflow, rapt audience was, I must say, even more delighted by his show than we were to be his hosts.  I’m convinced that he could have played all night, and the audience would have stayed and stayed, happily taking in everything he had to share—good songs that were deftly performed and a remarkably engaging personality.”
- Kevin Grogan, Director of the Morris Museum of Art

“Full of life and original in a way that many couldn’t even come close to touching, Carey Murdock brings all the original roots of rock to his music and turns them into something brimming with life… His new album “Baby Don’t Look Down” is sultry, southern fried blues… everything coming together as a truly unique, innovative masterpiece. Anyone who doesn’t have this in their record collection will be missing something vital in their lives.”
- Verge Magazine

“Right off the bat, there is something magical about Carey Murdock’s new album “Baby Don’t Look Down”… You’d have to be deaf not to hear how good the writing is…”
- Don Rhodes, the longest running country music-columnist in America speaking about Carey Murdock in an interview - Various

Wow! There is going to be some absolutely incredible music in this area in the next couple of days coming from Augusta-related artists with great regional and national reputations...

CAREY MURDOCK:
Fans of this wonderfully talented, North Augusta-based singer and musician are going to be blown away when they hear him perform songs from his new CD, Baby Don't Look Down , at 8 tonight at Sky City, 1157 Broad St.

Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $12 and include a copy of the CD. Reservations can be made at www.nostarband.com or by calling Sky City at (706) 945-1270.
Yes, you can count on hearing the deep-throated, Bruce Springsteen-like classic rock songs Murdock is known for with his band NoStar, but he also literally re-invents himself with his new 11-song album.

The songs range from the beautifully-composed, Dylan-ish Silvergirl and the hard rocker These Things Will Drag You Down to the country flavored Young Love sung as a duet with Cary Ann Hearst of Charleston, S.C., and the beach music inspired Nobody Like My Girl.

There are moments in musical time when just the right artist comes together with just the right producer, and that is what has happened with Murdock coming together with musician and producer Patrick Blanchard Jr.

Murdock also will perform the Greg Lake song I Believe in Father Christmas on the 12 Bands of Christmas show Dec. 18 at the Imperial Theatre and its accompanying CD.

- Don Rhodes
Augusta Chronicle
December 1, 2010 - Augusta Chronicle

Few people who have moved from the Augusta area to Nashville, Tenn., to chase their dreams have accomplished as much in such a short time as North Augusta’s Carey Murdock.

Murdock returns to this area for two performances, with the first being on Saturday night, Oct. 15, at the White Mule club in Columbia.
The show starts at 8 p.m., with Lonors Society and Ned Durrett opening. Tickets are $6. Call (803) 661-8199.

Murdock also will perform at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, in the first floor auditorium of the Morris Museum of Art, 10th at Reynolds streets.
The free concert is part of the museum’s Sunday concert series.
Murdock plans to play his new songs and some old favorites and talk about his experiences since moving to Music City U.S.A. in early August.

Despite being a new arrival, he already has performed in such well-known Nashville music showcases as The Basement club, The Rutledge and Douglas Corner, and at the popular Whippoorwill restaurant and listening room in nearby Gallatin, Tenn.

His four-song showcase at The Basement club was backed by veteran Nashville musicians Peter Wahlers, Keio Stroud and Tim Galloway.
He performed Tuesday night at the Commodore Sports Grill in the Holiday Inn on West Avenue.

Murdock has not only attracted the attention of seasoned Nashville songwriters, he also has been encouraged by such great performers as Augusta’s own Eric Lee Beddingfield.

Beddingfield made his Grand Ole Opry debut recently as the guest of George Jones, performing the country icon’s song The Gospel According To Jones on a special Opry evening celebrating Jones’ 80th birthday.

Murdock's very first visit to the Grand Ole Opry came in August. He went through the backstage artists' entrance thanks to the kindness of Opry star Larry Gatlin, who took Murdock around and introduced him to Vince Gill, Bill Anderson, Little Jimmy Dickens and others.

Just a few weeks ago, Murdock was given a 30-minute solo spot at the house concert of Wanda and Terry Seay in Franklin, Tenn., just before the featured performances of Tony Arata, writer of Garth Brooks’ hit The Dance, and Danny Flowers, writer of Don Williams’ hit Tulsa Time.
Murdock returns to The Rutledge with a full band on Nov. 10 and will be back at Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta on Nov. 11.

Catch this rising star at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 16, in the Morris Museum of Art auditorium. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. - Augusta Chronicle

"Carey Murdock... could be the next big thing out of Augusta since Lady Antebellum" - Stacy's Music Row Report 8/16/11 - Stacy Harris' Music Row Report

Augusta troubadour Carey Murdock leads his group NoStar
through sturdy, Springsteen-esque workingman's rock on his new CD, Baby Don't Look Down. His hometown figures prominently; its his Asbury Park in this context ; but the highlight is hearing his gruff, scruffy voice counterbalanced by Charleston's Cary Ann Hearst on the duet, "Young Love." - Stomp & Stammer

While this Augusta native obviously writes and arranges in the tradition of alt-country turned rock ‘n’ roller Ryan Adams, the still-young man’s vocal presence recalls such powerhouses as Bruce Springsteen and Jeff Buckley. Murdock began his career in the band Five Weeks Later and later formed the rock and roll trio Delorean, but didn’t really hit his stride until he rounded up the NoStar lineup in 2007. Since then, Murdock has released a debut LP (with contributions from Charleston’s Cary Ann Hearst) and toured steadily throughout the country. K. Petersen - Free Times

(A review of a Christmas compilation album Carey Murdock & NoStar contributed to with a remake of Greg Lake's "I Believe in Father Christmas." 12 Bands of Christmas raises money for pediatric cancer patients. Below is the review of the track CM&N contributed).

NoStar -- I Believe In Father Christmas : Behold the new model NoStar. No longer content to bury his talents as both a writer and, in this case, arranger under squalling guitar, the band's Carey Murdock instead embraces his inner Springsteen, turning out well-honed rock played with control and intelligence...

- by Steven Uhles
November 24, 2010
Pop Rocks Column
Augusta Chronicle
- Pop Rocks Column - The Augusta Chronicle

The low-timbre growl NoStar frontman Carey Murdock emotes on the band's newest album, Baby Don't Look Down , is a goodbye wave to his childhood of singing on North Augusta stages.

He's here to get his songs heard, no longer held back by underage club restrictions or stipulations of what small-town life said about who Carey Murdock should be.

The 11 tracks weave a coming of age story about leaving home, hitting the road and falling back in love with one's hometown.

As Murdock prepares for the band's second album release Dec. 2, he's positive about where the past two years touring and cutting another album have taken him as an artist and how they've brought him full circle back to Augusta.

"(Augusta) is home," he said. "I think there's something that Augusta has that I couldn't find in Atlanta or New York. I'm proud of my hometown and I want to be a part of it."

Backed by producer Pat Blanchard, Baby Don't Look Down shows off Murdock's growth as a songwriter and a musician. Lyrics that play on the senses of sight and smell offer a more well-rounded listening experience as Murdock's accompanying harmonica and saxophonist Mark "Sparky" Sleister, give a sense of place, whether it's by the edge of the Savannah River or the streets of New York.

Murdock's influences also get a nod as more pop-friendly hooks and even country twang infiltrate this album.

Murdock said time on the road also gave him a new appreciation of pop music, shorter songs and lyrics that you can't get out of your head.

"Why does a good song have to be long? These are definitely more radio friendly," he said. "Most run just over two minutes."

A love note to home in Augusta is a fitting finale that swells with hometown pride. But the duet Young Love , featuring guest vocals by Charleston, S.C., singer/songwriter Cary Ann Hearst, will become a signature tune for Murdock's contemporaries looking to identify with him as an artist. The song's eerie warning "We settled into a place of our own began our lives by the heart of love's fire/But it doesn't take too much living to know how much those flames require," embodies what 20-somethings live and feel.

The addition of new bandmates -- Steven Bryant, bass; John Henry, drums; and Ryan Buffett, keyboard and saxophone -- mellowed out NoStar's stage presence, said Murdock.

"There are more dynamics and it's a classic band experience," he said. "Even if I wasn't in this band, I'd still want to play with this band."

- by Julia Sellers
North Augusta Today
November 23, 2010 - North Augusta Today

It wasn't all that long ago that local band NoStar released their amazing eponymous debut album full of supercharged blues energy. Now, Carey Murdock, lead singer and guitarist of the band, has a new slice of his infectious blues rock ready for fans to consume in the form of "Baby Don't Look Down."

Full of life and original in a way that many bands couldn't even come close to touching, NoStar brings all the original roots of rock to their music and turns them into something brimming with life. In many ways, NoStar is the love child of Bruce Springsteen and Tom Waits, with a little Chris Cornell from Soundgarden thrown in for good measure.

Produced by Augusta's own Patrick Blanchard, that eleven song strong "Baby Don't Look Down" will be available at the CD release party on Thursday, December 2nd, at Sky City at 8 p.m. For twelve bucks, NoStar's fans will get in to see the band and receive a copy of the new album. That's an awesome bargain. Last year's NoStar CD-release party was sold out and this year promises to be the same.

The new album contains some of the Murdock's most musically inspired songs to date including songs to date including the slow-tempo, yet emotionally moving, opening track "Gambler," and displays some great guitar work on "Don't Look Down." The release moves into more up-tempo country-rock with "Baby My Heart," "Silvergirl," "These Things Will Drag You Down," and "Young Love." Then, there's an incredible track - "Nobody Like My Girl" - that has some spectacular horn work. The closing track "Augusta" obviously stirs something deep within anyone who has spent considerable time in this town and grown to love all the intricacies of southern city life.

NoStar predominately features Murdock singing, playing guitar, and playing the harmonica on the album. Pat Blanchard chimes in with guitar and drums, while "Sparky" Sleister plays saxophone on "Baby Don't Look Down."

With their second album, NoStar really outdoes itself this time around with a well crafted and truly beautiful piece of blues rock. "Baby Don't Look Down" is sultry, southern fried blues interpreted through one of the finest musicians this town has ever known, everything coming together as a truly unique, innovative masterpiece. Anyone who doesn't have this in their record collection will be missing something vital in their lives.

- Dino Lull
November 17, 2010 - Verge

Maybe NoStar hasn't been around as long as some of the bands in an area as rich in music as Augusta, but over the last three or four years, from the roots of Carey Murdock's solo work, NoStar has made a name for itself and released a superb self-titled LP that equals anything on the radio.

A little bluesy rock and a little experimental, the original NoStar trio of Murdock, Ferguson, and Hanna took the music scene by storm, playing at venues that ranged from churches to bars, depending on where they were wanted. This versatility, both in attitude and in music, is what defines NoStar and got this talented band well-known around the region and allowed them to have an excellent U.S. tour.

In more recent times, NoStar has been back in the recording stdio - putting together a sophomore release titled "Baby Don't Look Down" which was recorded here in town with Pat Blanchard. NoStar will release the album on December 2 at Sky City with Blanchard as the opener.

NoStar's current members include Murdock singing, playing guitar, harmonica, and even piano; accompanied by John Henry on drums, Steven Bryant on bass. With the new lineup, the new album is a "more mature songwriter album," Murdock says about the feel of "Baby Don't Look Down." Much of the album was written while Murdock was on NoStar's recent tour.

"There are a lot of feelings about the South in the album," Murdock goes on to say about his inspiration and his homesickness for the culture of the South. "When you're in Boston or Texas or Detroit, people are just different" from people in Augusta. "People downplay Augusta but give our town credit, she deserves it," Murdock finishes up, expressing his love for the Garden City. Tracks such as "Nobody Like My Girl" are reminiscent of 1970's era solo Lou Reed but with a huskier voice similar to that of the Boss or perhaps Tom Waits.

NoStar will contribute a cover of Greg Lake's "I Believe in Father Christmas" to the "12 Bands of Christmas" CD and their newest album "Baby Don't Look Down" will also be available. Perhaps the best description for NoStar is "roots rock: Springsteen meets Guy Clark but with Georgia-Carolina blood."

- Dino Lull
Verge
November 3, 2010 Issue - Verge

Carey Murdock’s new band Nostar have recently posted two pre-final mix tracks from their sessions in Columbia. Check them out at http://www.myspace.com/nostarband - lokalloudness.com

Carey Murdock, who has generated a large local following will perform with his band NoStar at Music in the Park on Thursday.

The group performs rock music with a lot of soul and their style often compared to Jeff Buckley and Soundgarden.

Original songs written by Murdock, which will come out on a self-published album this year, will be performed along with a few covers. - North Augusta Today

BY COCO RUBIO

AUGUSTA, GA...

Ken Stephens, of Livingroom Legends and Dew Hickies fame, will relinquish his singer-songwriter competition crown to six potential challengers on Friday, Sept. 19, at the Community Stage.

Seeking the 2008 title are Carey Murdock (think Jeff Buckley).... - Metro Spirit

quotes from radio interview w/Stak Allen of Confederation of Loudness:

"Carey Murdock, of NoStar, has a singular voice...
it's easy to draw local comparisons with his soulful voice... but with NoStar the songwriting leans into Jeff Buckley territory...

...Carey Murdock's voice is phenomenal and NoStar rocks... let's listen to a ****ing great song.... 'IDOL' by NoStar...

...great songwriting there...
you guys are doing something right..."


- Confederation of Loudness Radio Show

Issue #20.19 :: 12/03/2008 - 12/09/2008
Underground heroes

No song is played the same way twice with NoStar, a local band whose influences include everyone from Led Zeppelin to Sonic Youth

BY DINO LULL

AUGUSTA, GA - “Music is like medicine,” Murdock NoStar says.

Murdock, singer and guitarist in Augusta’s own NoStar, understands this concept quite well.

Picking up a guitar in his teens and playing in a band all throughout his high-school career, Murdock is a seasoned local musician who approaches his craft much in the way his idol Jack Kerouac did: with style and improvisation.

Without a doubt, there is a healing power in the diversity of music.

“I like the idea of not having to do something a certain way,” he says of NoStar’s sound. Not intending to play the songs the same each gig, Murdock promises: “It’s going to be different” when fans come out to hear them.

Switching it up and serving a new experience, NoStar breathe fresh vitality into music. Even their few cover songs break free of the mold.

“Every bar band in Augusta plays ‘Creep’ by Radiohead,” Murdock claims. “We want something challenging and that nobody’s heard before.”

The energetic attitude behind NoStar has given the boys the necessary thick skin to make their way around Augusta for the last few years, all the while fashioning a name for themselves. Composed of Murdock and fellow bandmates Taylor Ferguson on drums and David Hanna on bass, NoStar brings the softer, mellow sound of the singer-songwriter genre but steps it up a bit with some rocking blues. Murdock admits that while he listens to everything from Jeff Buckley and Tom Waits to Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin, fans might not automatically hear the influences in his music. But the glimpses are there.

And what about Sonic Youth, the legendary non-mainstream band NoStar take their name from?

“We’re big fans. We like their spirit,” Murdock says. “They’re underground heroes.”

It is the spirit of bands like Sonic Youth and writers such as Kerouac that influence the music of NoStar. Traditional guitar-based songs inspired by the greats, the trio creates music with a real joie de vivre soul to it. As Murdock says, when NoStar finally came together, he knew the three of them were “the perfect fit.”

After graduating from high school, Murdock pursued his solo career, still playing with Ferguson at times. In the past, Murdock had relative success with the song “Sometimes,” which garnered local radio airplay. Later, with his 2007 live EP, “Waiting for the Morning,” he was closer to the sound NoStar would soon play. The EPs were “rough drafts,” Murdock claims, explaining how some of the songs have now become a part of the NoStar repertoire.

It has only been within the last few months that NoStar has finally coalesced into the band they are today.

But don’t make the mistake of thinking these boys are wet behind the ears. They’ve earned their chops playing around Augusta in one form or another and are slated to release their full-length, self-titled LP in the coming year. The CD release party will kick off Thursday, Jan. 15, at Le Chat Noir and the band has a Southeast tour lined up that will keep them busy into March.
- Metro Spirit

NoStar
"NoStar"
Self-Released
myspace.com/nostarband


AUGUSTA, GA - The soft, moody, bluesy sound of NoStar’s self-titled release is a little bit Southern and a little bit something else entirely. A mix of the more somber tones from grunge and the singer-songwriter style of many current artists, NoStar show some grunge revival roots with a sound like Matchbox 20 or Creed but stand out with their own unique flavor.

Eight tracks full of tight melodies and well-written lyrics, NoStar deliver a very professional-sounding album.

The Georgia trio of Murdock NoStar, David Hanna and Taylor Ferguson put their all into this album. Every track has a layered, beautifully crafted sound. The opening track “Into Eden” kicks off with some Tom Waits-ish guitar-wailing and dives right into old school foot-tapping Southern moody blues. The chorus is a wonderful piece of work on this standalone song. Other tracks on the album like “Contigo” have the noisy feedback-inspired sound of such experimental greats as Radiohead. It works really well with the overall sound of the LP. In what would seem sharp contrast, “The Way Back” delivers late-Bruce Springsteen pure rock catchiness.

With Murdock’s intense, deep-voiced vocals and a Radiohead/late-Nirvana sound, NoStar truly deliver with their debut album. Creative, well made and interesting; the self-titled release by this Augusta band shows a talent and professionalism far beyond the years of these guys. Something not every band can pull off with such a clear focus on what they want to do. - Metro Sprit