Bill Murray

Bill Murray has been performing songs and telling stories learned from an older generation of Dartmoor singers and storytellers for over 50 years, keeping alive the region's tradition of unaccompanied singing. He is at home on the north-eastern slopes of Dartmoor, with family farming connections that keep him closely in touch with the issues facing local farmers. A founder member of the Dartmoor Folk Festival, he worked closely with the late Bob Cann and has been involved with every one of the festival's events since. In 2008 he produced, with Wren Music, a CD of songs and music titled Down 'pon Old Dartymoor.

In 2011 the Dartmoor Society presented Bill with its annual award "for nurturing the craft of Dartmoor song," recognising more than forty years keeping the tradition alive, his historical research into Dartmoor songs, and music he composed for songs whose original tunes had been lost. He became events organiser for the Dartmoor Society in 2021 and was elected Chair of Trustees in 2022.

Recordings

• Down 'pon Old Dartymoor (2008)

Fellow Dartmoor singer Jim Causley has recorded his own version of "Down 'pon Old Dartymoor".