Billy Mure

Sebastian "Billy" Mure (November 4, 1915 – September 25, 2013) was an American guitarist and songwriter who recorded several albums in the 1950s and 1960s in a variety of styles, including surf, Hawaiian, swing, pop, and lounge music.

Mure was born in New York City and played violin at age of nine, before making guitar his primary instrument. He played in bands while in the service during World War II and found work at a radio station WNEW after the war until 1957. In addition to his solo recordings, he worked as a session musician, composer, and arranger. He wrote the popular instrumental "Toy Balloons". In 1959, he released the single "A String of Trumpets", credited to Billy Mure and the Trumpeteers; the song reached #64 on the Billboard Hot 100. Mure had been performing for the past seven years with his band—Top Hats—at Squid Lips in Sebastian, Florida.

Birth and Death Data: Born July 7, 1915, Died September 25, 2013 (Vero Beach)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1947 - 1958

Roles Represented in DAHR: guitar, electric guitar, composer

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor E0VB-3833 10-in. 3/2/1950 Green as grass Rosalie Allen ; Black River Riders Female vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-3834 10-in. 3/2/1950 Choc'late ice cream cone Rosalie Allen ; Black River Riders Female vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-3835 10-in. 3/2/1950 My dolly has a broken heart Rosalie Allen ; Black River Riders Female vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-3836 10-in. 3/2/1950 I wanna sit Rosalie Allen ; Black River Riders Female vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-3841 10-in. 3/3/1950 Rubber knuckle Sam Panhandle Punchers ; Texas Jim Robertson Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-3913 10-in. 3/17/1950 Tell her you love her Rosalie Allen ; Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Female-male vocal duet, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-3914 10-in. 3/17/1950 Written guarantee Rosalie Allen ; Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Female-male vocal duet, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-4220 10-in. 4/19/1950 One kind word Panhandle Punchers ; Texas Jim Robertson Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-4221 10-in. 4/19/1950 Yesterday's kisses (are tear-drops today) Panhandle Punchers ; Texas Jim Robertson Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-4222 10-in. 4/19/1950 Don't you angel me (you little devil) Panhandle Punchers ; Texas Jim Robertson Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-4228 10-in. 4/21/1950 Take it easy blues Montana Slim Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-4229 10-in. 4/21/1950 My heart's closed for repairs Montana Slim Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-4230 10-in. 4/21/1950 My wife is on a diet Montana Slim Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-4608 10-in. 5/15/1950 I've got five dollars and it's Saturday night '49ers [Jesse Rogers] ; Jesse Rogers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-4609 10-in. 5/15/1950 Great big needle '49ers [Jesse Rogers] ; Jesse Rogers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-4610 10-in. 5/15/1950 I can fool the world (but cannot fool my heart) '49ers [Jesse Rogers] ; Jesse Rogers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-4791 10-in. 6/13/1950 Slippin' around with Jole Blon '49ers [Jesse Rogers] ; Jesse Rogers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-4792 10-in. 6/13/1950 Finders keepers, losers weepers '49ers [Jesse Rogers] ; Jesse Rogers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-5252 10-in. 8/15/1950 I'll find you Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-5253 10-in. 8/15/1950 (Remember me) I'm the one who loves you Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-5278 10-in. 8/15/1950 The red we want is the red we've got (in the old red white and blue) Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E0VB-5684 10-in. 9/27/1950 Tomorrow you'll be married Rosalie Allen ; Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Female-male vocal duet, with string band instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Victor E0VB-5685 10-in. 9/27/1950 A little bit blue Rosalie Allen ; Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Female-male vocal duet, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Victor E0VB-5686 10-in. 9/27/1950 You missed your chance last night (my darling) Rosalie Allen ; Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Female-male vocal duet, with string band instrumentalist, electric guitar, composer  
Victor E0VB-5687 10-in. 9/27/1950 Mockin' bird hill Rosalie Allen ; Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Female-male vocal duet, with string band instrumentalist, electric guitar  
Victor E1VB-2003 10-in. 4/17/1951 Country kisses Oklahoma Wranglers ; Guy Willis Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E1VB-2004 10-in. 4/17/1951 Warm beer and a cold, cold woman Oklahoma Wranglers ; Guy Willis Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E1VB-2039 10-in. 4/24/1951 Cowpoke Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E1VB-2040 10-in. 4/24/1951 Lookin' around Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E1VB-2129 10-in. 5/15/1951 Sick, sober and sorry Wilf Carter Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E1VB-2500 10-in. 6/7/1951 Oh, dear, where can my honey be? Eddie Marshall ; Trail Dusters Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E1VB-2501 10-in. 6/7/1951 There's no escape Eddie Marshall ; Trail Dusters Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor E1VB-2505 10-in. 6/11/1951 The wondrous word (of the Lord) Sons of the Pioneers Male vocal ensemble, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-0915 10-in. 5/23/1947 It takes a long long train with a red caboose (to carry my blues away) Panhandle Punchers ; Texas Jim Robertson Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-0916 10-in. 5/23/1947 Don't make me sorry Panhandle Punchers ; Texas Jim Robertson Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-0917 10-in. 5/23/1947 Don't look now (but your broken heart is showing) Panhandle Punchers ; Texas Jim Robertson Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-0918 10-in. 5/23/1947 Pal in Palo Alto Panhandle Punchers ; Texas Jim Robertson Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-0986 10-in. 6/18/1947 Spanish polka Rosalie Allen ; Black River Riders Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-0987 10-in. 6/18/1947 Believe me, I'll be leaving you Rosalie Allen ; Black River Riders Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-0988 10-in. 6/18/1947 If I'd only been true to you Rosalie Allen ; Black River Riders Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-0989 10-in. 6/18/1947 Mountain polka Rosalie Allen ; Black River Riders Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-1448 10-in. 7/28/1947 Don't bring your blues to me Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-1449 10-in. 7/28/1947 I'm tying the leaves, so they won't come down Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-1450 10-in. 7/28/1947 I've lived a lifetime for you Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-1451 10-in. 7/28/1947 Who else Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2000 10-in. 11/6/1947 Never trust a man Rosalie Allen ; Black River Riders Female vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2001 10-in. 11/6/1947 Wide, rollin' plains Rosalie Allen ; Black River Riders Female vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2002 10-in. 11/6/1947 The ding dong polka Rosalie Allen ; Black River Riders String band, with female vocal solo, yodeling, drums and accordion instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2003 10-in. 11/6/1947 Take it back and change it for a boy Rosalie Allen ; Black River Riders Female vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2041 10-in. 11/11/1947 Born to lose Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2042 10-in. 11/11/1947 I never knew what it meant to be lonesome Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2043 10-in. 11/11/1947 Roses of yesterday Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2044 10-in. 11/11/1947 Peace of mind Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2047 10-in. 11/11/1947 Mississippi waltz Skytoppers Instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2263 10-in. 11/24/1947 I met the cutest fellow in Pocatello Rosalie Allen ; Black River Riders Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2265 10-in. 11/24/1947 You ain't where you come from now Rosalie Allen ; Black River Riders Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2606 10-in. 12/8/1947 Welcome back to my heart Stu Davis ; Northwesters Male vocal solo with instrumental sextet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2607 10-in. 12/8/1947 When the snowbirds cross the Rockies Stu Davis ; Northwesters Male vocal solo with instrumental sextet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2608 10-in. 12/8/1947 I'm gonna leave town Stu Davis ; Northwesters Male vocal solo with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2609 10-in. 12/8/1947 Sweetheart of yesterday Stu Davis ; Northwesters Male vocal solo with instrumental sextet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2622 10-in. 12/9/1947 The dude in the ten gallon hat Stu Davis ; Northwesters Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2623 10-in. 12/9/1947 Too far apart Stu Davis ; Northwesters Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2624 10-in. 12/9/1947 Crying for you Stu Davis ; Northwesters Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2625 10-in. 12/9/1947 Always keep your promise Stu Davis ; Northwesters Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2669 10-in. 12/12/1947 Easy payment blues Zeke Manners ; Singing Lariateers ; Zeke Manners Band Male vocal solo, with vocal group and instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2671 10-in. 12/12/1947 I'm a tired cowboy Zeke Manners ; Singing Lariateers ; Zeke Manners Band Male vocal solo, with vocal group and instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2677 10-in. 12/12/1947 Tears from the sky Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2678 10-in. 12/12/1947 Anyone Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2679 10-in. 12/12/1947 My mother's picture Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D7VB-2680 10-in. 12/12/1947 Put my little shoes away Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9VB-1257 10-in. 4/8/1949 Reaching for the moon Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9VB-1258 10-in. 4/8/1949 Rainbow in my heart Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9VB-1259 10-in. 4/8/1949 Lorelie Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9VB-1360 10-in. 4/22/1949 Yodel boogie Rosalie Allen ; Black River Riders Female vocal solo, with string band and yodeling instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9VB-1361 10-in. 4/22/1949 Square dance polka Rosalie Allen ; Black River Riders Female vocal solo, with string band, piano and accordion instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9VB-1362 10-in. 4/22/1949 Mama, what'll I do? Rosalie Allen ; Black River Riders Female vocal solo, with string band, piano and accordion instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9VB-1373 10-in. 4/26/1949 Swiss lullaby Rosalie Allen ; Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Female-male vocal duet, with string band and yodeling instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9VB-1374 10-in. 4/26/1949 Tennessee yodel polka Rosalie Allen ; Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Female-male vocal duet, with string band and yodeling instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9VB-1375 10-in. 4/26/1949 Driftwood on the river Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9VB-1376 10-in. 4/26/1949 Yodeling bird Rosalie Allen ; Black River Riders Female vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9VB-1377 10-in. 4/26/1949 Two hearts are better than one Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9AB-1828 10-in. 7/14/1949 Tennesse polka '49ers [Jesse Rogers] Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9AB-1829 10-in. 7/14/1949 Wedding bells '49ers [Jesse Rogers] Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9AB-1830 10-in. 7/14/1949 Country boy '49ers [Jesse Rogers] Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9AB-1831 10-in. 7/14/1949 Hadacol boogie '49ers [Jesse Rogers] Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9AB-2287 10-in. 10/5/1949 The greatest mistake of my life Jack Lawrence Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9AB-2288 10-in. 10/5/1949 Afraid Jack Lawrence Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9AB-2289 10-in. 10/5/1949 On Miracle Mountain Jack Lawrence Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9VB-2445 10-in. 10/26/1949 Acres of diamonds (mountains of gold) Rosalie Allen ; Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Female-male vocal duet, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9VB-2446 10-in. 10/26/1949 Prairieland polka Rosalie Allen ; Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Female-male vocal duet, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9VB-2447 10-in. 10/26/1949 Then I'll grow tired of you Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9VB-2459 10-in. 11/2/1949 I gotta have my baby back Dave Denney Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9VB-2460 10-in. 11/2/1949 My bucket's got a hole in it Dave Denney Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9AB-2553 10-in. 11/23/1949 Cry-baby heart '49ers [Jesse Rogers] ; Jesse Rogers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9AB-2554 10-in. 11/23/1949 (I won't go huntin', Jake) but I'll go chasin' women '49ers [Jesse Rogers] ; Jesse Rogers Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9AB-2580 10-in. 11/23/1949 Plain old lovin' '49ers [Jesse Rogers] Male vocal solo, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9VB-2785 10-in. 12/16/1949 Quicksilver Rosalie Allen ; Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Female-male vocal duet, with string band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9VB-2786 10-in. 12/16/1949 The yodel blues Rosalie Allen ; Elton Britt ; Skytoppers Female-male vocal duet, with string band and yodeling instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor D9AB-2787 10-in. 12/16/1949 Hey-ho Virginia reel The Honeydreamers Vocal group, with instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Atlantic 2305 10-in. 1/24/1957 All about the blues Ray Ellis ; Ivory Joe Hunter instrumentalist, guitar  
Atlantic 2306 10-in. 1/24/1957 Everytime I hear that song Ray Ellis ; Ivory Joe Hunter instrumentalist, guitar  
Atlantic 2648 10-in. 6/20/1957 If only you were here with me Ray Ellis ; Ivory Joe Hunter instrumentalist, guitar  
Atlantic 2649 10-in. 6/20/1957 Yes I want you Ivory Joe Hunter instrumentalist, guitar  
Atlantic 2651 10-in. 6/20/1957 She's gone Ray Ellis ; Ivory Joe Hunter instrumentalist, guitar  
Atlantic 2806 10-in. 10/9/1957 You're on my mind Ivory Joe Hunter instrumentalist, guitar  
Atlantic 2809 10-in. 10/9/1957 Baby, baby count on me Ivory Joe Hunter instrumentalist, guitar  
Atlantic 2930 10-in. 1/22/1958 Jump for joy Howard Biggs' Orchestra ; Joe Turner instrumentalist, guitar  
Atlantic 2931 10-in. 1/22/1958 Blues in the night Howard Biggs' Orchestra ; Joe Turner instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 86741 9/2/1954 When my dreamboat comes home Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 86742 9/2/1954 Careless love, part 1 Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 86743 9/2/1954 Careless love, part 2 Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 86744 9/2/1954 Careless love, part 3 Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 86747 9/3/1954 Judy Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 86748 9/3/1954 Oh, Doctor Ochsner Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 86749 9/3/1954 Washington and Lee swing Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 86750 9/3/1954 My wild Irish Rose Muggsy Spanier and his Jazz Band instrumentalist, guitar  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Mure, Billy," accessed June 18, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/333014.

Mure, Billy. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved June 18, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/333014.

"Mure, Billy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 June 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/333014

External Sources

Wikipedia: Billy Mure

Discogs: Billy Mure

IMDb: Billy Mure

Linked Open Data Sources

LCNAR: Mure, Billy - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n94122469

Wikidata: Billy Mure - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q4913076

VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/31235602

MusicBrainz: Billy Mure - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/d1fb72f4-cf46-4e90-afad-ea24b2c8869b

Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license

Feedback

Send the Editors a message about this record.