COUNTY LIFE
Music: ‘You feel it or you don’t’ – Nocona musician keeps going back to his roots
By BARBARA GREEN
Mark Murphey is a man of many faces: Auctioneer, county commissioner, family man volunteer firefighter and professional musician.
While he has many business endeavors, music has been a constant in his life taking him down many colorful roads with adventures.
Murphey was born 51 years ago in Dallas to Fern and John Murphey, but his Montague County roots run deep. His great grandmother, “Zootie” Tombs Jennings ran the general store at Red River Station at the turn of the century. His ancestors are buried at Molsbee Chapel.
John and Fern moved his family to Nocona in 1965, and Mark recalls his dad “sorta quit” performing when he came along, although John still made some jamborees. With his musician father, it was no surprise music settled into his soul.
“As a kid I listened to the Grand Old Opry on the radio and we watched Hee Haw, then I saw dad at the jamborees. I was playing by age 10 starting with the banjo, mandolin and guitar. I couldn’t figure out my instrument. Dad told me to stick with one and I would get good at it, so I am still only halfway good at several,” laughs Murphey.
Meet this local musician in your weekend News and learn how music continues to be an integral part of his life.
Mark Murphey has been a musician almost all of his life, although his career path has taken many turns. (Courtesy photo taken at Texas Nightlife)
The members of the Montague County Commissioner’s Court will meet at 9 a.m. on May 27 in the courthouse annex.
Items on the agenda are as follows: Consent agenda, fueling energy and operations update from Pam Hughes Pak with Atmos Energy Corporation, proclamation naming June was Elder Abuse Awareness Month in the county, consider WiFi at new county animal shelter, consider Nortex Housing Finance Corporation tax-exempt obligations (Sun Valley apartments), precinct one request to transfer $200,000 from reserves to gravel, precinct request to store fill dirt on Chance Simpson’s property in Ringgold and budget workshop.
The Ray Walker Memorial VFW Post #8558 will host a Memorial Day service at 11 a.m. on May 26, 100 Baylor Street in Nocona.
The public is invited to attend to celebrate this special holiday to remember those who were killed in service.
Later in the day attend the fundraiser barbecue rib dinner at the Nocona Senior Citizen’s Center. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Enjoy ribs, french fries, beans, cole slaw, dessert and iced tea. Proceeds benefit the center and the Meals on Wheels program of Nocona.
Veterans eat free. Meal prepared by the award winning Nocona High School barbecue team.
Five Montague County high schools will graduate in ceremonies May 23 and May 24.
Make sure to see the 2025 Graduation Keepsake Section in the May 22 edition of The Bowie News. It is the only one to feature seniors from all seven of the area schools including Bowie, Bellevue, Gold-Burg, Forestburg, Nocona, Prairie Valley and Saint Jo.
Bowie High School
The Jackrabbits walk the stage at 8 p.m. on May 23 in Jackrabbit Stadium. Teacher Tabitha Jones was selected by the students to be the speaker.
Seniors Virginia Watson and Boston Farris will pass the mantle of leadership to the junior class represented by Laney Enlow and Hayden Heugatter. Superintendent Blake Enlow will present diplomas.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
-
NEWS3 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS2 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS2 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS2 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS2 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
NEWS2 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
NEWS2 years agoBowie Police face three-hour standoff after possible domestic fight
-
NEWS2 years ago
Driver stopped by a man running into the street, robbed at knifepoint