Remembering Paul Murphy’s spirit to be celebrated on Sunday BY BOB GULLA

Back in the ’70s and ’80s, the blues/R&B scene around here was really roaring, and people looked on Rhode Island’s musical ambassadors with awe and admiration. At the time, Paul Murphy, an accomplished guitar player, was at the epicenter of that scene, having churned out hot licks for outfits the James Montgomery Band, Duke Robillard, Greg Abate and Channel One, and his own group, the Groovemasters. With the ’Masters, a rollicking R&B outfit he formed with frontman Dennis McCarthy, Murphy really hit his stride, leaning on his versatile background in a spectrum of genres and pulling off some of his tastiest playing. "He was very well-rounded in all the roots styles of music," says Robillard. "He could play funk, he knew jazz, blues, and rock, and he was really well-versed in all of these fields."

Murphy’s versatility made him one of the territory’s most sought-after players, not only because of his mastery, but because he was such a good guy. "Paul was a fantastic musician and one of the kindest human beings on the planet," says Tom Ferraro, who knew Murphy well and is currently with Dave Howard and the High Rollers. "His loss is still felt by many in the music community."

It’s been 10 years since Murphy died in Brazil while on tour with the Duke Robillard Band. When he passed, he left a hole in the talent pool that was difficult to fill. "Paul was a great person, a great musician, and a good friend," says Robillard. "He was just a lot of fun to play with. But I think the best thing about him was that he always had a lot of constructive words for others. He taught a lot, he was always teaching, and all his students loved him."

"He communicated very well," adds Robillard. "We had a lot of good guitar conversations over the time we played together. We made a great combination. After people heard him, they really liked the sound of us playing together."

Since his passing, Paul’s sister Susan has organized benefits in his memory, with the proceeds going to a scholarship fund in Paul’s name at the Music School. The event on Sunday at the Hi-Hat is the fifth one in 10 years, and it qualifies as the best yet. It will feature an incredible variety of musicians, most of whom shared the stage with Murphy at one time or another. Robillard, who has a number of projects in the works, including one with Ronnie Earl, a new band disc, and an acoustic set, the James Montgomery Band, Dennis McCarthy, Rizzz (with original members Klem and Rick Couto), the Pink Tuxedos (a cappella with Gary Cummings), the High Rollers, and some kids from the Music School will take the stage. Jazz cats will also make the scene, including Greg Abate and Paul Del Nero, formerly of Channel One.

The 10th Anniversary Paul Murphy Memorial Benefit will run from 5 p.m. until closing at the Hi-Hat, Davol Square,Providence. The donation is $10. Call 453-6500.

FUN-RAISING. Another fundraiser takes place on Sunday (the 26th) at the Catfish Grill on West Shore Road in Warwick. It’s unofficially called "The Concert for Presidential Candidate John Kerry" and it runs from 1 until 9 p.m. The "Kerry-Edwards Stage" will host all of the band action, including performances by Becky Chace, the Doug James Band, Refried Cajun Band, and the Superchief Trio, among others. The "Victory Stage" on the upper level is reserved for acoustic acts, including Marcy Lang, Anna’s House, Ed McGuirl, and more. All in all, it’ll be a great day of local music for an excellent cause. It seems like the beleaguered Dems need a little resuscitation. Let’s hope that the music does only half the talking, while the candidates tell us the rest of the story. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Go to www.catfishgrill.com for details and to catch up on the other things happening at the Grill.

SATYRPALOOZA. If you wake up on Saturday (the 25th) and are trying to come up with something interesting to do, or at least a good excuse to spend the day drinking beer, why not head to Satyr’s place for this year’s annual installment of Satyrpalooza? Here’s the deal: The day gets started around noon and will run into the wee hours. A $5 bill gets you in, and it’s 21-plus.

What can you look forward to? Here’s what’s on the docket: Fox Den Head Dunking, Bee Hive Teasing, Tonguing for Taffy, Popsical-Stick Glueing, Snake or Garden Hose, and a Running with Hedge Clippers Contest. And if that’s not enough, how about sets by Mastamindz, Tung, Days Unknown, Absynthe, Slugworth, and some mellower acoustic vibes later in the evening, when the fire pit’s burning bright and the smores are making the rounds. Local music will be spinning between sets and local discs will be for sale. It’s a great opportunity for scenesters to network over a few frosties. Seriously, bring a chair and prepare to chill for the day. You’ll be glad you chose to send the summer off at Satyrpalooza. Call for directions: (860) 546-4209 or (860) 230-6454.

THREE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY. It’s a big weekend for Thee Wylde Card DJs. On Friday (the 24th), thee dashing gents will celebrate their third anniversary at the Custom House Tavern in downtown Providence. To commemorate the milestone, they’ll be giving away an exclusive WCDJS CD compilation to the first 50 people through the door. This mix will not be sold in stores (ever) and features rare soul, rock, garage, and mod tracks — the WCDJ favorites and tunes they’ve championed for the past three years. Most are unavailable on CD or are very hard to find. Get there early; this event will sell out.

On Saturday, it’s Maximum Rock & Roll Night at Jake’s Bar and Grille, with Andy G. & the Roller Kings (featuring Andy G., ex-Devil Dogs, and Candy Del Mar, ex-Cramps), the Fabulous Itchies, Blues Bastard, and Thee Wylde Card DJs, all of which will make for one helluva cathartic night of rawk. Toss in free admission and, well, you oughta make your plans now.

WANDERING EYE. Tonight (Thursday, the 23rd), there’s a searing lineup of roots and rockabilly music for your greaseball indulgence at Jarrod’s Place in Attleboro, Massachusetts. Reverend Horton Heat, the Hackensaw Boys, Sasquatch and the Sick-a-Billys, and the Demon Truckers will strut their stuff in what should be a very excitable show. Doors open at 8 p.m. The Becky Chace Band plays the Call on Saturday with Mr. Lincoln. The BCB, which features a new rhythm section, will likely be tackling some tunes from their impressive new disc, Rescue. The band also has a brand new Web site up if you want to suss it out: www. beckychace.com.

Reggae-crazed locals the Psycads play the sweet Xxodus Café at the Providence Black Repertory Company on Tuesday (the 28th). The show starts at 10 p.m. The Stone Soup Folk Fest, part of the Pawtucket Arts Festival, takes place on Saturday and Sunday at Slater Park. Patty Larkin, Bill Staines, the great Cape Breton fiddler Jennifer Roland, Atwater-Donnelly, and Phil Edmonds are all on board. The show starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday. Go to www.pawtucketartsfestival.org.

E-mail me with your music news: big.daddy1@cox.net.