Bill Clifton
Traditional Bluegrass
Bill Clifton is a Maryland-born guitarist and lead singer who, despite a wealthy Baltimore family that disapproved of country music (hence the stage-name change), became one of bluegrass's most enduring international ambassadors — organizer of one of the first multi-act bluegrass festivals (Oak Leaf Park, 1961), Peace Corps volunteer, and 2008 IBMA Hall of Fame inductee.
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- Born William August Marburg on April 5, 1931 in Riderwood, Maryland, into a wealthy Baltimore family.
- Adopted the stage name "Clifton" because his father did not want the family surname tied to country music.
- Formed Bill Clifton & the Dixie Mountain Boys at the University of Virginia with Paul Clayton and Dave Sadler in the early 1950s.
- Published the influential songbook "150 Old Time Folk and Gospel Songs" in 1955.
- Organized one of the first multi-act bluegrass festivals — Oak Leaf Park, Luray, Virginia, July 4, 1961.
- Lived in England 1963–1978, becoming a leading ambassador for bluegrass and old-time music in Europe; toured Asia and Africa.
- Served three years in the Peace Corps in the Philippines beginning 1967.
- Inducted into the IBMA Hall of Fame in 2008; recorded for Blue Ridge, Starday, Mercury, County, and Elf.
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Around the World to Poor Valley2001 · Bear Family 16425 HK
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Bluegrass in the American Tradition1965 · Nashville NLP 2018
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Single (Blue Ridge Mountain Blues / Are You Alone?)1958 · Mercury 71292X45
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Bill CliftonPlayed on recordings with Bill Clifton
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Bryan BowersPlayed on recording with Bill Clifton
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Charlie WallerPlayed on recording with Bill Clifton
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Eddie AdcockPlayed on recording with Bill Clifton
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John DuffeyPlayed on recording with Bill Clifton
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John MailanderPlayed on recording with Bill Clifton
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Mike SeegerPlayed on recording with Bill Clifton
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Tom GrayPlayed on recording with Bill Clifton
