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Mike Murphy |
Just 28 days after winning the 2009 Music & Sound Award for sales representative of the year, we received the sad news Musicorp’s Michael Murphy had passed away of complications from lung cancer. Murphy, who did smoke, was only 30 years old when he died on Feb. 11. Murphy was first diagnosed with lung cancer in December 2008. He returned to work in May 2009 and worked for a month at Musicorp’s offices before learning the cancer had spread. Unfortunately, the chemotherapy was not able to force to the cancer to recede. “No matter where Michael was, whether it was a hospital or his parents’ home, he was working every possible hour he thought he could,” said Musicorp Vice President Dan Roberts. “We got him remote access to our computer system and he used his own phone to stay in close contact with his customers. In fact, he was still contacting customers on the day he passed away. He battled so hard. Having cancer never brought him down. He knew he would come back. Even the surgeon commented that Mike was a young man who wouldn’t be held down by this. It’s amazing how positive he stayed right until the end.”
Murphy had several dealer accounts throughout the United States, including many in the mid-Atlantic region, California, and Florida. He had more than 300 customers he worked with. He was a quiet man, but he certainly didn’t lack wit or a sense of humor. That is perhaps best exemplified when we alerted Murphy he was nominated for an award. His response, which we ran in our December issue: “Thanks a bunch, guys. I’d like to say more, but I really need to get back to work.”
Added Dave Jones, inside sales manager at Musicorp: “His sense of humor was such that if [the Music & Sound Retailer] had called him the day we won the award (Jan. 14), he probably would have responded, ‘Are you sure you have the right person?’”
When Murphy found out he had won the Music & Sound Award, he sent an e-mail thanking his dealers for voting for him. The Music & Sound Retailer got to see a quick glimpse of the e-mail on a dealer’s cell phone. “When he won the award, he expressed to us his gratitude and talked about the dealers who have been so supportive,” Roberts said.
Murphy, who was a drummer and drumming instructor for bagpipe bands, was the “go-to guy for percussion information,” Jones said. “He was passionate about all things drum. He was always quick to a smile.
“Mike had to be in a lot of pain, of course,” added Jones. “But never once did anyone hear him complain about anything. What a tough guy. He was part of our sales meeting via telephone every week. He never gave up.”
Roberts vividly remembers the day he hired Murphy about five years ago. “One of the real attractions about hiring Mike was his involvement in pipe band drumming,” said Roberts. “We were selling Premier Percussion products at the time. Pipe band products were big for Premier Percussion. He was a great fit from that perspective. On a more personal level, he seemed like someone who was serious about his career. He was very mature for his age. He was 25 years old when I hired him. I had a really good feeling about him coming to work for our team. He had a great mix of a good sense of humor while taking things seriously.”
Murphy was popular with many dealers, perhaps yourself, as evidenced by the award he won. Roberts and Jones spoke to dealers at times to find out why they liked Murphy. “The top kudos for Mike was his follow-up skills,” said Jones. “He was very efficient. His tenacious customer service skills were top-notch. Dealers knew they could hand the ball to Mike and their worries were solved.”
“I’ve had the ability to speak to several of Mike’s accounts,” said Roberts. “They all spoke highly of his integrity and interest in helping them to be successful. He was also complimented for his grasp of the product. We like to hire salespeople who have experience in retail because it helps them become well rounded. It helps them to relate to customers. Mike had skills as a musician and developed excellent knowledge of the products, which he worked hard to gain.
“We can’t even come to grips with the fact we will have to replace him,” added Roberts. “We will do the best we can to find someone to do his memory proud. Everyone at Musicorp wants to step up our game even more. That way, Mike will be proud of us while he’s watching.”
Murphy was single. He was born on July 27, 1979 in Falls Church, Va., and grew up in Herndon, Va. Murphy graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from The Citadel in Charleston, S.C., in 2001. He is survived by his parents, James and Martina Murphy, as well as three sisters: Kathleen Murphy, Christy Leonard, and Jaime Osbourne. A wake and funeral took place the week after Murphy’s death.
In lieu of flowers, the Murphy family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the Michael Murphy Scholarship Fund, c/o Wachovia Bank, Sully Financial Center, BA 1138, 13960 Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy., Chantilly, VA 20151.
“Mike wanted a scholarship to be established so young drummers can go to drum camp and receive training via the scholarship,” said Jones.
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