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Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame

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Songwriter

Bill Clifton was born William Marburg in Riverwood, Maryland, and at an early age became fascinated by country music. While in college he adopted the stage name of Bill Clifton and with friends formed a trio called the Dixie Mountain Boys. In 1955 he published a songbook, 150 Old-Time Folk and Gospel Songs, which circulated widely among bluegrass musicians. He began recording and released five albums during the late 1950s and early ‘60s. On July 4, 1961, Clifton organized an outdoor "Bluegrass Day" concert at Oak Leaf Park in Luray, VA. This all-day event featuring several top bluegrass acts and is considered the first bluegrass festival. In 1963 he and his family relocated to England and in 1967 he joined the Peace Corps and moved to the Philippines. Throughout this time he continued to write songs and perform in Europe, New Zealand and the US. In 1972, he played his first bluegrass festival circuit in the US and eventually returned to America. Clifton continued to perform at bluegrass festivals and concerts into the 1990s. BMI credits him with 111 published compositions, co-compositions, and arrangements.

Published in 2019

Bill Clifton

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Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame

100 East Main Street P.O. Box 935 Wilkesboro, NC 28697 • 336-667-3171

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