Michael Murphy Burke Remembered
Apr 01, 2025 06:00AM ● By Staff
Michael Burke
On February 12, Michael Murphy Burke, a beloved musician, sound healer, author, painter, carpenter, poet and friend to so many in Atlanta’s spiritual community, passed away at the age of 65.
Born to the late Patrick Burke, Sr. and Marilyn Murphy Broussard on September 30, 1959, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Burke grew up in an environment that nurtured his love for music, art and poetry. A member of the International Sound Therapy Association (ISTA) and well-known in the Atlanta community for his transformative sound journeys, sound baths and spiritual retreats, Burke dedicated his life to helping others through the healing power of sound.
As a young man, Burke took jobs as a DJ. When he moved to Atlanta, he did some fine carpentry for homeowners and got some of his innovative designs featured in design magazines and journals. He soon began focusing on his sound healing work, wrote poetry and eventually published two books of a planned “Dancing” trilogy—Dancing with the Divine (2017) and Dancing with the Shadows (2023)—both available on Amazon. “He was always writing poetry,” says his cousin and dear friend, Lorna Biddle. “His writings reflected his deep understanding of the human experience and his commitment to spiritual growth,” says his brother, Patrick.
Burke is survived by his mother, Marilyn, stepfather Erroll “Buddy” Broussard; his brother, Patrick Burke, Jr.; his sister, Kelly Fulham; his sons, Michael Burke, Jr. and Chris Russell; and his grandchildren, Emma, Reagan, Graham and Tristan. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy, brother Charles Edmund Burke and daughter Ashley.
Burke’s family writes: “Michael Murphy Burke was more than a musician and artist; he was a beacon of light, a source of inspiration, and a compassionate soul who dedicated his life to uplifting others. His legacy will continue to vibrate and resonate through the lives he touched and the art he created. May he rest in peace, knowing that his spirit will forever echo in the hearts of those who loved him and in the art he created to share with others.”
Born to the late Patrick Burke, Sr. and Marilyn Murphy Broussard on September 30, 1959, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Burke grew up in an environment that nurtured his love for music, art and poetry. A member of the International Sound Therapy Association (ISTA) and well-known in the Atlanta community for his transformative sound journeys, sound baths and spiritual retreats, Burke dedicated his life to helping others through the healing power of sound.
As a young man, Burke took jobs as a DJ. When he moved to Atlanta, he did some fine carpentry for homeowners and got some of his innovative designs featured in design magazines and journals. He soon began focusing on his sound healing work, wrote poetry and eventually published two books of a planned “Dancing” trilogy—Dancing with the Divine (2017) and Dancing with the Shadows (2023)—both available on Amazon. “He was always writing poetry,” says his cousin and dear friend, Lorna Biddle. “His writings reflected his deep understanding of the human experience and his commitment to spiritual growth,” says his brother, Patrick.
Burke is survived by his mother, Marilyn, stepfather Erroll “Buddy” Broussard; his brother, Patrick Burke, Jr.; his sister, Kelly Fulham; his sons, Michael Burke, Jr. and Chris Russell; and his grandchildren, Emma, Reagan, Graham and Tristan. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathy, brother Charles Edmund Burke and daughter Ashley.
Burke’s family writes: “Michael Murphy Burke was more than a musician and artist; he was a beacon of light, a source of inspiration, and a compassionate soul who dedicated his life to uplifting others. His legacy will continue to vibrate and resonate through the lives he touched and the art he created. May he rest in peace, knowing that his spirit will forever echo in the hearts of those who loved him and in the art he created to share with others.”
