Plunk Murray

Pub rock from Dallas TX

Founded in 2014, and named after founder and guitarist/lead singer Johnny Zercher's Great Great Grandfather, Plunk Murray is proud of the reputation they've established as one of the most fun, slightly rowdy and exciting Celtic/Americana/Folk-Rock bands in Texas. 

The band mixes upbeat Irish/Celtic songs, with Red Dirt, Tejano and Rock'n'Roll to keep dance floors packed and the party going!   Playing everything from mordern Irish songs from bands like The Pogues and Flogging Molly, to Red Dirt material from the likes of Kevin Fowler and Charlie Robison to rock favorites from Steve Earle, Van Morison and others, Plunk Murray is always a hit regardless of the venue, crowd or event! 

Plunk Murray isn't just any other bar band however, with a line up that includes not only electric guitar, bass and drums, but also accordion, mandolin, banjo and Irish whistle.  This unique combination of instruments delights audiences as they hear familiar songs with a frest, Plunk Murray spin! 

At home on large festival stages, small pubs and just about everything in between, Plunk Murray always puts on a great performance that will have you singing along, lifting a pint and cheering for more.

Who Was Newton “Plunk” Murray

Newton Harris “Plunk” Murray (Johnny's Great Great Grandfather) was born sometime in 1847 to Ephraim Doyle Murray and Melvina Ann (Jacobs) Murray near Liberty Missouri.  

As a teenager, he joined Anderson's Partisan Rangers and fought in the Civil War.  Anderson's Partisan Rangers wintered in Sherman TX in 1863, returning to Missouri in 1864, where it's believed Plunk fought at the Battle of Centralia.

After the war, Plunk returned to Texas looking for a better life.  In 1873, when the Texas Rangers were recommissioned, Plunk signed up.  It was during this time that he became a friend to many women from Brownsville to Austin.  

Plunk was later married to Virginia Faulkner (Odiorne) Murray and they had four children together. Thomas Colvin Murray (1877), Doyle B. Murray(1881), Gilbert Johnson Murray(1882) and lastly, Johnny's Great Grandfather, John Morgan Murray(1885).

Plunk Murray passed away on Feb 3, 1890, at the age of 43 and is buried in Fairview Cemetery in Liberty, MO.  

Today the band is proud to honor Plunk and all other Americans of Scots-Irish decent, past and present, who have made America (and Texas) so great!