Bill Clifton – 2008 IBMA Hall of Fame Inductee – performing category
Category: IBMA Nominees
By Travis Tackett
August 15, 2008
Bill Clifton singing “Longing for Old Virginia”, June 2006 at the Executive Inn, Owensboro, Kentucky
Bill Clifton – 2008 IBMA Hall of Fame Inductee – performing category
Bill Clifton, who was born William Marburg April 5, 1931 in Riverwood, Maryland, is widely credited for putting together the first Bluegrass Festival in 1961. The day long festival featured a reunion of Bill Monroe’s original Bluegrass Boys, Jim & Jesse, The Country Gentlemen, the Stanley Brothers and other notable Bluegrass acts of the day.
After moving to England in 1963, Clifton played extensively in local pubs and small venues. In 1967 he joined the Peace Corps and spent 3 years in the Phillipines. While in the Peace Corps, Clifton visited New Zealand and recorded with the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band. In 1972 Clifton returned to the states in order to play the American Festival Circuit and in 1980 he relocated with his family back to Virginia.
- 1948-49? – Travels to Maces Springs, VA to meet A.P. Carter
- 1950’s – Recorded and played with Dixie Mountain Boys who sign a recording contract with Blue Ridge Records
- 1955 – Publishes songbook “150 Old-Time Folk and Gospel Songs“
- July 4, 1961 – Clifton organized a “Bluegrass Day” performance at Oak Leaf Park, Luray, VA
- 1963 – Moves to England.
- 1967 – Joins Peace Corps in Phillipines. Visits New Zealand and records album with Hamilton County Bluegrass Band.
- 1972 – Tours American Festival Circuit
- 1980’s – Moves family back to the States and locates in Virginia.
Other Media
Bill Clifton and Pick of the Crop performing in the Netherlands on Google Video Time – 36:14.
Bill Clifton – Selected Songwriting credits
- I’m Rollin’ On
- All The Good Times Are Past and Gone
- Cedar Grove
- The Sailor on the Deep Blue Sea
- Old Ruben
- Lonely Heart Blues
- When You Kneel At Mother’s Grave
- Going Back to Dixie
- Spring Hill Distaster
- Dixie Ramble
- I’ll Be Satisfied
- Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar
- Happy Days
Bill Clifton Discography:
| Year | Title | Label |
| 1959 | Mountain Folk Songs | Starday |
| 1961 | Carter Family Memorial Album | Starday |
| 1961 | The Bluegrass Sound of Bill Clifton | Starday |
| 1962 | Bill Clifton & The Dixie Mountain Boys | County |
| 1963 | Soldier, Sing Me a Song | Starday |
| 1964 | Code of the Mountains | Starday |
| 1966 | Mountain Bluegrass Songs | Nashville |
| 1967 | Bluegrass in the American Tradition | Nashville |
| 1971 | Are You From Dixie | Bear Family |
| 1972 | Getting Folk | Bear Family |
| 1975 | Come by the Hills (with Kenny Baker, John Duffey & Red Rector) | County |
| 1976 | Another Happy Day | County |
| 1976 | Clifton & Company (with Bill Keith, Mike Auldridge & Tom Gray) | County |
| 1981 | Autoharp Centennial Celebration | Elf |
| 1992 | The Early Years (1957-1958) | Rounder Select |
| 1983 | Beatle Crazy (with The Country Gentlemen) | Bear Family |
| 2001 | Around The World To Poor Valley (8 CD set) | Bear Family Records |
| 2005 | Alive | Elf |
| 2005 | Mountain Laurel | Elf |
| ??? | A Bluegrass Session 1952 | Bear Family |
| ??? | Blue Ridge Mountain Blues | County |
| ??? | Going Back to Dixie | Bear Family |
| ??? | Happy Days | Golden Guinea |
| ??? | River Of Memories (Gaundreau) | Elf |
| ??? | BILL CLIFTON AND THE PICK OF THE CROP ‘Playing Where The Grass Is Greener’ | Elf |
| ??? | Where the Rainbow Finds Its End | Elf |
A list of Bill Clifton 78’s and Singles can be found at http://www.rocky-52.net/chanteursc/clifton_bill.htm.
Sources:
http://oldbluebus.blogspot.com/2007/01/pioneer-bill-clifton.html
http://www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/
http://www.artistdirect.com/
http://www.allmusic.com/
http://www.countysales.com/
• Bill Clifton