Bill Dempsey started out his career playing trombone, mainly classical and … Read Full Bio ↴Bill Dempsey started out his career playing trombone, mainly classical and jazz. In the early 1960s, his interest, however, turned to folk music, so he would play his regular gigs on the trombone, then run to the local coffee house to play the folk music he loved. Since those days, he has learned to play many, many other instruments - dulcimer, banjo, guitar, harmonica, etc.

He has appeared on Judy Collins' NPR show and The Gong Show. He has also played for the President. Mainly, however, he plays in all types of venues - tall ships, casinos, hayrides, weddings, fancy hotels, etc. - for regular folks. He is known as The Shanty Man on the tall ship Pilgrim in Dana Point, California, and as Banjo Bill to old timers.