[78-L] Billy Murray Tribute?!

[Michael Biel]

When Billy died his wife was still alive and the stone probably met with
her approval.  They might not have been financially well off, but they
did have a lot of friends including Jim Walsh.  I don't recall Walsh
writing anything over the years suggesting a better tribute at Billy's
gravesite.  But I don't think it would hurt to try and see if there are
any surviving family members and ask them.  As we have occasionally
found out, the family might not know about the continuing interest in
their ancestor, and this inquiry might spark the interest of one or more
family members to look into the history of their family -- and decide
that not only would such a tribute be appropriate but they would also
appreciate the other activities that have happened -- including the book
and Archeophone CD set that has already come out.  Perhaps Frank or
Richard have family info they have found when researching their
respective publications.

Mike Biel  mbiel at mbiel.com

-------- Original Message --------
From: "Jack Palmer" <jackpalmer1 at att.net>

Is there any Murray family remaining to check with on this placing of an

additional stone. Some of us wanted to add a plaque to Dalhart's grave 
since the present stone only gives MARION L, SLAUGHTER, II plus his
birth 
and death date. I contacted his granddaughter and she was against it so
we 
had to call it off. Jack

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <bruce78rpm at comcast.net>
> The Stone that says Murray is what is called "A family Stone", and there 
> should be either inscriptions on the rear of it for each family member who 
> has passed away, or individual flat markers in the front of the Family 
> stone for the same purpose. Let's not forget that in his later years, 
> after his recording career was over Billy and his wife struggled 
> financially and really didn't have much, so this could be the reason for a 
> the lack of a suitable individual stone commemorating this great 
> entertainers life. I am wondering whether a movement could be started to 
> correct this situation through donations for a suitable individual marker 
> at the site for Billy Murray "The Denver Nightingale ", entertainer, 
> singer, and leading star of the early phonograph & recording era .



> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Bob Rice" < bobrice @ snet .net>
>
> Yes! SO sad, when you think of how MANY records Billy made in his long
> recording career! There should be a Fan Club, or something MORE than a 
> slab
> that sez ;"Murray". I mean when you think of so many "artists" that lately
> passed on, the adjulation they have gotten? Feh ! Michael Jackson comes to
> mind?Billy's career lasted, what, 50 YEARS! ARE there any surviving
> relatives of Billy?
>
> Bob





> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <bruce78rpm at comcast.net>
>
>> Strange how there is no inscription on the reverse side of the Stone with
>> his full name and dates of birth and passing. Is his wife buried in the
>> same plot ? Since it was just him and his wife, and Billy had no 
>> children,
>> maybe there was no one to order the stone mason to complete the job. I 
>> see
>> many gravestones where this is the case, there are no remaining heirs or
>> the ones that remain just forget to do the inscriptions, and after awhile
>> the process is totally forgotten and lost with time. How sad.
>>
>> Bruce
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: bobhope @ optonline .net

>>
>> As for Billy Murray's Tombstone --- There is just a small monument with
>> only his last name "MURRAY". He is buried in Holy Rood Cemetery in
>> Westbury , Long Island, NY.
>>
>> Bob Lang
>>

>>> From: Bill Knowlton
>>> I've just contacted the Starr- Gennett Foundation with website
>>> material on Billy Murray. Billy did, in fact, record for Gennett .
>>> As you may know, the Starr- Gennett Walk Of Fame is located the
>>> Richmond, Indiana "gorge" where the Gennett Record recording
>>> studio and record production facilities were located.
>>> A series of beautiful round plaques with mosiac-like pictures of
>>> Gennett -Champion artists run along two sidewalks with the likes
>>> of Bix Biederbecke , Lawrence Welk , Uncle Dave Macon and Bradley
>>> Kincaid being given the permanent tributes they TRULY deserve.
>>> I hope the selection committee accepts Billy Murray.
>>> As far as I know there's no monument to him anywhere, except,
>>> perhaps, on his tombstone.
>>> Check out the Starr- Gennett Foundation's website!
>>> www . starrgennettfoundation .org
>>> And let's keep our fingers crossed!
>>> BILL KNOWLTON