Detroit Tracks
About Us
Long before it was his record label, "Detroit Tracks" was actually the world where Tim Murray was employed. He spent thirty-five years working the horse racing tracks of greater Detroit. During that time, he got to know and study many of Detroit's music legends who frequented those tracks while he, himself, was creating a stir with his own singing and show productions. His arena also blended with Motown artists at Greg's Diner - footsteps away from Hitsville, USA - where he would wait for his future wife to finish her shift at the nearby hospital and would see the creators of the music he loved, from Marvin Gaye to Levi Stubbs, enjoying fries and a corned beef sandwich.
Hooked on the Motor City's music explosion, Tim became a 'keeper of the flame' as he worked, raised his young family and somehow found time to cull from his thoughts and life experiences the lyrics and music for songs of his own. In 1982 he penned ‘Thinking of You’ and found, at the track, Detroit producer Mel Davis. Mel's talent and expertise helped Tim form his own record label, while listeners from Detroit (including radio stations WQBH, WGPR, and others) to England and now around the world have been able to enjoy hearing originals ‘Thinking of You,’ ‘Hard Times’ and ‘Street People,’ as well as Tim's recordings of others' music and readings of his spoken works.
"I don't remember exactly where it was, but I'll never forget the first time I heard Tim Murray perform,' says John Altomare, 'Doctor Rock of WOMC. "His voice rang loud and clear, with just a touch of raspiness, all the way out to the coat check. I knew instantly why his style had been dubbed "Blue-Eyed Soul," because Tim literally poured his soul into every song, most of which he penned himself. To this day, I can still hear the throbbing, rumbling sound of, "Street People," still one of my all-time favorite Murray tunes. Give these cuts a listen and see, or should I say, hear for yourself the amazing sound of Detroit Tracks."
With his years of working at Detroit race tracks and Ford Motor Company behind him, and with his family successfully raised, Tim now continues to expand his love of what has been called ‘Real Detroit Style’ and blue-eyed soul. Though Tim founded Detroit Tracks Records in 1983, at the same time Detroit radio stations were playing his single ‘Thinking of You,’ the reach of the internet and the public’s ongoing love for Detroit music have once again brought Detroit Tracks Records to the forefront of the Motor City music scene.
Most recently, Tim re-mastered and re-released some of his most-requested tracks. He has also been performing at area venues from private parties and church and charity functions to restaurants, clubs and civic gatherings – such as 4th of July and Memorial Day patriotic programs – and has become especially-popular as a singer of the ‘Star-Spangled Banner,’ which he calls ‘our country’s true number-one song.’
"To me," Tim says, "Soul, country, rhythm- and- blues and pop are all from the same family. Detroit Tracks, I believe, exemplifies this theory and I have tried to do what any Detroit-born- and-raised, Motown-loving singer would do: 'touch 'em all’” "So," Tim invites, "Just do what you'd do with your cd, record or iPod: sit back, relax, and let Detroit Tracks 'Give it a Whirl!’”