Morna Anne Murray CCONS (created June 20, 1945), known professionally as Anne Murray, is a Canadian vocalist in pop, country, and adult contemporary music whose records have sold over 54 million copies world-wide as of 2012.
Murray was the first Canadian female solo vocalist to reach No.1 on the U.S. graphs, and also the first to earn a Gold record for one of her signature songs, “Snowbird” (1970). She’s frequently mentioned as the one that paved the means for other international Canadian success stories including Alanis Morissette, Nelly Furtado, Cline Dion, Sarah McLachlan, and Shania Twain.
She’s been inducted to the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Juno Hall of Fame, as well as The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. She’s an associate of the Country Music Hall of Fame Path of Stars in Nashville, and has her very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in La and on Canada’s Walk of Fame in Toronto. In 2011, “Billboard” rated her 10th on their listing of the 50 Largest AC Artists Ever.
Mount Saint Vincent University, University of New Brunswick
Nationality
Canada
Spouse
Bill Langstroth (m. 1975–1998)
Children
Dawn Langstroth, William Langstroth
Parents
Marion Margaret Burke, James Carson Murray
Siblings
Harold Murray,Daniel Murray,Bruce Murray,Stewart Murray,David Murray
Nicknames
Anne Murrey , Ann Murray , Morna Anne Murray , Murray, Anne , Morna Anne Murray CC ONS , Annie , Annie Murray
Awards
Canadian Music Hall of Fame, Juno Award for Album of the Year, Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance, Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, Juno Award for Single of the Year, Country Music Association Award for Single of the Year, Academy of Country Music Award for Son...
Nominations
Grammy Award for Record of the Year, Grammy Award for Best Country Song, Grammy Award for Best New Artist, Country Music Association Award for Female Vocalist of the Year, Academy of Country Music Award for Female Vocalist of the Year, Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with...
Movies
Anne Murray in Jamaica, The Anne Murray TV Special: 19th April 1975, Dolly Parton & Friends
TV Shows
Anne Murray: What a Wonderful Christmas, Country Gold
Star Sign
Gemini
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Quote
1
[on the end of her run of hit records] It's not great when it happens. It's like looking in the mirror and seeing you have an old lady's neck. You just have to maintain a sense of humor. [The Arizona Republic, May 10, 1998]
2
I was in bare feet when we got married. It was great. [When the photographer backed into some candles] He had on a polyester suit and, boy, did it ever go up in flames. We had to break off the ceremony and push him our of the house and roll him around in the backyard to put out the flames. It was quite an wedding.
3
In those days people were constantly trying to change me into a glamor baby. I remember having to wear white boots on 'Wayne and Shuster'. I didn't like them. They made me look like Nancy Sinatra, and I didn't want to look like her. I wanted my hair short, but everyone wanted me to have long hair. I fought twenty-five years for my short hair. But in time, I smartened up and realized I at least had to put on some nice clothes.
4
I was conscious about everything at the beginning. I got over my shyness, but I still don't like cocktail parties. Early on, everybody wanted a piece of me. They were just grabbing at me on the one hand and looking down their noses at me on the other. I thought, 'Get me the hell out of here.' I was much better off in the United States because there they don't care where you're from.
5
You know, I ain't hurtin' to be a star.
6
Some of of the guys in my early years were into drugs and booze until I finally woke up to what was going on. We used to go through Chicago airport with these guys and I'd be scared to death. If we were there for more than an hour, almost all of them would get pissed. You never knew when you got to the boarding gate who was going to be in what kind of shape. It was horrible.
Release of her memoirs, "All of Me" by Anne with Michael Posner. [October 2009]
3
Just released "Country Croonin'" (2002); CD of country/pop standards
4
Toronto, Ontario, Canada [June 2007]
5
She is of Irish, Scottish, and French descent.
6
Inducted to Canada's Walk of Fame in 1998 (charter member).
7
Her mother, the former Marion Burke, died April 10, 2006, at the age of 92.
8
She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 1750 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.
9
Sister of David, Daniel, Harold, Stewart and Bruce Murray. Bruce performed and toured with Anne in the 1980s.
10
After high school, spent a year at Mount Saint Vincent University, a Catholic women's college in Halifax. Next stop was the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton, where she studied Physical Education.
11
Her daughter, Dawn Langstroth, is a singer, songwriter and recording artist who sometimes recorded with her mother. Dawn has also been battling anorexia.
Daughter of James Carson Murray, a doctor, and Marion Murray, a registered nurse.
14
Two children with Bill Langstroth: son William (born in 1976) and daughter Dawn (born April 16, 1979).
15
Pictured on one of four 52¢ Canadian commemorative postage stamps honoring Canadian Recording Artists, issued 29 June 2007. The other stamps pictured Paul Anka, Gordon Lightfoot, and Joni Mitchell.
16
She was awarded the O.C. (Officer of the Order of Canada) on June 25, 1975 and the C.C. (Companion of the Order of Canada) on December 17, 1984 for her services to music.
17
Was a high school Physical Education teacher before her singing career
18
She has a museum, Anne Murray Centre, dedicated to her in Springhill, Nova Scotia.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Orphan Black
2014
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon
2013
Documentary performer: "Snowbird", "Danny's Song"
This Beat Goes On: Canadian Pop Music in the 1970s
2009
TV Movie documentary performer: "Cotton Jenny"
He's Just Not That Into You
2009
performer: "Snowbird"
Zodiac
2007
performer: "Snowbird"
Dolly Parton & Friends
2007
Video performer: "All I Can Do", "Let Me Be There", "My Wogie Wants to Bogie With You", "Sweet Memories To My Mind Golden Oldies", "Drift Away"