Billy Dettmer

About Billy Dettmer

Billy Dettmer has been active on Melbourne's music network for many years. His earliest concerts were in the 60s as part of the Victoria Banjo Club.
Picking up the guitar at 13, he formed The Federation in 1970 with Rob Riley (Rose Tattoo) Paul Hitchens (Sports) and Dave Wicks. At this time he also learnt and played Drums, Bugle and Trumpet at school, becoming Drum Major of the Cadet Band.
Drifting into the folk music scene in the 80s, Billy began writing songs and poetry, seeing his works published by the ABC and in newspapers andmagazines across the country while gaining a solid reputation on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula as a live performer and host of his long running 'Muso' nights. Forward to the '90's. In this period Billy picked up 6 Australian Songwriters Awards, 2 Tamworth Songwriter nominations, won the Best New Talent at Snowy River Country Music Festival, played at Maldon, Braidwood, Tamworth and Port Fairy Festivals, continued his weekly live shows and commencing radio programs, firstly on 3RPP then 3MDR.
After a break from playing for a few years, teaching, organising festivals and events, plus continuing his ambulance/patient transport work of over 30 years, Billy is back on stage enjoying himself.