Natalie LaRue

Early life

Natalie Marie LaRue, now Murray, was born on December 28, 1983, the daughter of Paul William LaRue and Carolynn Marie LaRue (née, Nesbitt), who were married on October 11, 1980 in Santa Barbara County, California. Her elder brother is Phillip LaRue, and she has two younger twin sisters.

LaRue

Ever since she started singing in church choirs at an early age, Natalie has had a passion to sing. At the age of 11, she teamed up with her brother, Phillip, to write their first song while he was bed-ridden by mononucleosis.

At 14, she and Phillip were signed as a duo to Reunion Records under the Provident Music Group. Their self-titled debut album LaRue was released in 2000 including 11 original tracks they had co-written. They became very popular in the CCM scene. People loved their acoustic-pop style, bright melodies and lilting, rich vocal harmonies. Songs like the softhearted and memorable Someday, written to Natalie’s future husband and Phillip’s future wife, and Reason, a statement of faith amidst doubts established LaRue as beyond their age in talent and maturity.

In 2001, they released their second album Transparent. Also with all songs written by the two siblings, but with brand new themes and an edgier, rock-influenced sound. Critics were amazed by Transparent. From the alternative/pop Jaded, about changing relationships, to the electro ballad Fallen For You, a love song to God, to the soft and melodious Brianna’s Song, a deeply moving song written about their sister with cerebral palsy. The album confirmed LaRue’s place among top CCM performers.

In 2002, aged of 17, she and Phillip, 19, finished their third album, Reaching, and received great reviews for its sophisticated harmonies, matured lyrics and fuller alternative rock feel. Reaching had several stand out tracks as the siblings’ musical talent and lyrical honesty reflected their artistic maturation. The album’s catchy pop title track reflected LaRue’s passionate worship to God. Likewise, Natalie’s vocals soared over the strong beat and guitars of Tonight, about being committed to God. Other songs like Ok to Cry, about grieving amidst hope, and Summertime, about longing for a soul mate, openly addressed teen issues in the light of Christian faith. Critics said the album was “amazing” and put it among the few 2002 best CCM albums.

Personal life

In 2002, Natalie met and quickly fell in love with Rob Murray, a performer from South Africa who was playing in the same music festival that LaRue was headlining. As she got to know him more, it became clear to her that she wanted to pursue a new path: marriage.

Then, in 2003, Natalie and Phillip ended their musical duo. Just five years after starting off they had been touring internationally, sharing the stage with huge artists like Rebecca St. James, Bebo Norman, Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith, selling over half a million records and making many chart-toppers.

Soon after getting married in 2003, Natalie and her husband welcomed their first son Noah. Later they had three daughters, Ella, Viola, and Adia.

Back to music

After several years being a full-time parent, Natalie turned back to songwriting to express her feelings of family life. With new themes and music emerging from the young woman, now wife and mother. With Rob’s motivation, Natalie brought in Don Chaffer from Waterdeep to produce the record and in February 2012, Natalie and Rob posted an album announcement on Kickstarter.

Two months later, the EP Even Now emerged, from Natalie, a self-taught pianist, playing and singing on six new songs about her experiences of the past decade as a wife, a mother and a Christian.