Earl James "Joaquin" Murphey (often spelled "Murphy", 30 December 1923 in Hollywood, California – 25 October 1999) was an American lap steel guitarist.
Nicknamed "Joaquin" by bandleader Spade Cooley to refer to the San Joaquin Valley, Murphey was the cutting edge lap steel guitarist of his time due to his clean legato playing and innovative chordal style.
He also worked with Tex Williams and the Western Caravan, a band formed in 1946 by Cooley's former vocalist and a number of his musicians.
In 1980, he was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame[2] His contemporaries included Herb Remington, Leon McAuliffe, Noel Boggs and Speedy West.
Many illustrious steel guitarists such as West and Buddy Emmons claimed Murphey as their main influence and mentor.