Canadian country songwriter and Nashville mentor Ralph Murphy dies at 75

TORONTO — Canadian country songwriter Ralph Murphy, who penned lyrics for Shania Twain and Randy Travis while earning a reputation as a Nashville mentor, died on Tuesday at age 75.

The England-born musician, who also produced for Canadian rock act April Wine, had recently been hospitalized after suffering numerous health issues, said his longtime friend Todd Brabec. He died with his two children and wife by his side.

Murphy wasn’t necessarily known by most country music listeners, but behind the scenes he was a considerable force.

Raised in Ontario, Murphy started playing music seriously as a teenager before moving back overseas to Liverpool in the mid-1960s and New York a few years later.

His early songwriting efforts included American country singer Jeannie C. Riley’s chart hit “Good Enough to be Your Wife.”

April Wine frontman Myles Goodwyn took to Facebook to credit Murphy with bringing the band some of their earliest hits, including the cover of Hot Chocolate’s “You Could Have Been a Lady” and “Bad Side of The Moon.”

Murphy was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012.

In March, Murphy attended the SOCAN Awards in Toronto where he was recognized with a special achievement award for his tireless contributions to the music scene.

David Friend, The Canadian Press