[3] His grandfather showed him "blackfella stones" (remnants of indigenous artefacts including grindstones and axe heads)[3][4] of the local Tjapwurrung tribe.
[8][9][10] The Warumpi Band were pioneers of Aboriginal rock music and with Murray as a member they released two albums, Big Name, No Blankets (April 1985) and Go Bush!
[2] It was produced by Mark Moffatt (Mondo Rock, Eurogliders, Jenny Morris)[9] and Murray used session musicians including Midnight Oil's Peter Gifford on bass guitar and Andy Travers from the Happening Thang on drums.
[2] In February of the following year The Canberra Times' Mike Jackson felt that Murray "does belong to the current wave of new country music that's sweeping the land, courtesy of the likes of The Flying Emus and ... Joe Sun.
[2][9] By 1992 Murray had added Christine Anu to The Rainmakers, initially as a backing singer, he asked her to take on lead vocals for his track, "My Island Home".
[14] Murray's second solo album, These Hands, appeared in July 1993 and was co-produced by Moffatt, Jim Moginie (keyboardist and guitarist of Midnight Oil) and Angelique Cooper.
[6] As fiction Murray, could use his word smithing as he pleased knowing the rules of offending would not be advanced on him as he sought acknowledgement as poet, author, composer and reconciliation whisperer.
By that year he had returned to the Lake Bolac area where he had bought a small farm block,[6] and worked with the local Tjapwurrung members to try to learn more of their culture.
[17][18] When in Victoria, Murray contacted neighbouring Gunditjmara people, Uncle Banjo Clarke (an elder) and Archie Roach (a musician).
[8][9] Murray also issued a solo album, Dust, in May that year using guest musicians Chris Abrahams (of The Necks), David Bridie (of not drowning, waving), and Moginie; as well as backing vocals from Anu, Roach; and Sally Dastey and Amy Saunders from Tiddas.
[2][9] Murray was the subject of a documentary, "Native Born", broadcast on Australian Story for ABC Television in April of that year.
Other musicians included Stephen Teakle, Brendan Williams, Seamus (aka Jim) Moginie, Lucy Eames, and strings by Coda.
Seth Jordan of Rhythms magazine opined that the "apathetic music industry seemed unsure whether to categorise Murray's solo work as rock, folk or country, despite critical acclaim", while his live performances "continue to attract a dedicated audience amongst those who appreciate truly well crafted songs".
[9][27] It was inspired by meeting fellow travellers at various roadhouses throughout Australia "when you are that strung out and tired, there is an unspoken camaraderie with those with whom you share the night and the distance.
[30] Michelle Slater of Australian Musician Network described Murray's performance styles in November 2012 as consisting of "indie rock, folk, jazz and country swing."
Upon leaving the venue, my aural senses were mixed with the reminiscent smells of a dripping tropical night and the red dust of the central desert".