Bill Walker (music director)
Encyclopedia
William “Bill” Walker was born in Sydney, Australia on May 28, 1937. He attended Sydney University
's Conservatorium of Music before moving to South Africa.
In 1959, he began working at RCA Records
in Johannesburg, South Africa. One of Walker’s tasks was to arrange, conduct and record cover versions of songs that were popular in America. While there, he worked with many country stars who were touring Africa, including Jim Reeves
. Reeves also filmed the movie Kimberley Jim
in South Africa, for which Walker wrote the score. Reeves offered Walker the post of musical director on a new television series he was set to host. Walker moved to the United States and arrived in Nashville, TN
just in time to learn that Reeves had died in a plane crash.
Walker decided to stay in the U. S. and apply for citizenship. Once settled in Nashville, he connected with Chet Atkins
, who was working with artist Eddy Arnold
. Atkins asked Walker to do orchestral arrangements for Arnold's album “My World,” which contained the #1 single “Make The World Go Away.” That record became Walker's first gold. Walker also arranged orchestra scores for concerts and television appearances.
In the late 1960s, Walker got offered the position of musical director for the Johnny Cash
Show on ABC. Cash would end every show by shouting, “Good night, Bill Walker!” The show lasted for 58 episodes. Walker continued as music director for other Johnny Cash television specials after the series was cancelled, including Johnny Cash's Christmas specials.
Walker's other TV credits include Music Hall America, Nashville Remembers Elvis on His Birthday, Ann-Margret...Rhinestone Cowgirl, and the Music City News Awards, among others.
He continued to work as a producer, with credits including Roy Rogers
and Donna Fargo
.
In the late 1970s, Walker started Con Brio Records
with his son, Jeff Walker. The label won “Best New Label” from Billboard Magazine in 1977. Bill handled A&R and producing while Jeff handled operations. Later, in 2007, Jeff founded the digital distribution label GMV Nashville
primarily as a way to re-release the Con Brio titles. Con Brio's roster included Don King
, Terri Hollowell
, and Dale McBride
, among others.
Walker currently resides in Nashville, TN with his wife, singer Jeanine Ogletree.
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
's Conservatorium of Music before moving to South Africa.
In 1959, he began working at RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
in Johannesburg, South Africa. One of Walker’s tasks was to arrange, conduct and record cover versions of songs that were popular in America. While there, he worked with many country stars who were touring Africa, including Jim Reeves
Jim Reeves
James Travis Reeves , better known as Jim Reeves, was an American country and popular music singer-songwriter. With records charting from the 1950s to the 1980s, he became well-known for being a practitioner of the Nashville sound...
. Reeves also filmed the movie Kimberley Jim
Kimberley Jim
Kimberley Jim is a 1965 South African musical comedy film directed by Emil Nofal and starring Jim Reeves, Madeleine Usher and Clive Parnell. An American singer takes part in the Kimberley diamond rush in 1880s South Africa.-Cast:* Jim Reeves - Jim Madison...
in South Africa, for which Walker wrote the score. Reeves offered Walker the post of musical director on a new television series he was set to host. Walker moved to the United States and arrived in Nashville, TN
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
just in time to learn that Reeves had died in a plane crash.
Walker decided to stay in the U. S. and apply for citizenship. Once settled in Nashville, he connected with Chet Atkins
Chet Atkins
Chester Burton Atkins , known as Chet Atkins, was an American guitarist and record producer who, along with Owen Bradley, created the smoother country music style known as the Nashville sound, which expanded country's appeal to adult pop music fans as well.Atkins's picking style, inspired by Merle...
, who was working with artist Eddy Arnold
Eddy Arnold
Richard Edward Arnold , known professionally as Eddy Arnold, was an American country music singer who performed for six decades. He was a so-called Nashville sound innovator of the late 1950s, and scored 147 songs on the Billboard country music charts, second only to George Jones. He sold more...
. Atkins asked Walker to do orchestral arrangements for Arnold's album “My World,” which contained the #1 single “Make The World Go Away.” That record became Walker's first gold. Walker also arranged orchestra scores for concerts and television appearances.
In the late 1960s, Walker got offered the position of musical director for the Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
Show on ABC. Cash would end every show by shouting, “Good night, Bill Walker!” The show lasted for 58 episodes. Walker continued as music director for other Johnny Cash television specials after the series was cancelled, including Johnny Cash's Christmas specials.
Walker's other TV credits include Music Hall America, Nashville Remembers Elvis on His Birthday, Ann-Margret...Rhinestone Cowgirl, and the Music City News Awards, among others.
He continued to work as a producer, with credits including Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers
Roy Rogers, born Leonard Franklin Slye , was an American singer and cowboy actor, one of the most heavily marketed and merchandised stars of his era, as well as being the namesake of the Roy Rogers Restaurants franchised chain...
and Donna Fargo
Donna Fargo
Donna Fargo is an American country music singer-songwriter, who is best-known for a series of Top 10 country hits in the 1970s...
.
In the late 1970s, Walker started Con Brio Records
Con Brio Records
Con Brio Records was a record label active from 1975 to 1979 based in Nashville, Tennessee. Jeff Walker was co-founder and Vice President of the label with his father Bill Walker. It was named Billboard Magazine's "Best New Country Label of the Year" in 1977. The main focus of the label was Country...
with his son, Jeff Walker. The label won “Best New Label” from Billboard Magazine in 1977. Bill handled A&R and producing while Jeff handled operations. Later, in 2007, Jeff founded the digital distribution label GMV Nashville
GMV Nashville
GMV Nashville is a digital record label based in Nashville, TN, founded by Jeff Walker in 2007.- History :Walker founded the label primarily to release digital versions of classic releases from Con Brio Records, which was founded by Walker and his father, Bill Walker...
primarily as a way to re-release the Con Brio titles. Con Brio's roster included Don King
Don King
Donald "Don" King is an American boxing promoter particularly known for his hairstyle and flamboyant personality. His career highlights include promoting "The Rumble in the Jungle" and the "Thrilla in Manila". He also had a long association with Mike Tyson...
, Terri Hollowell
Terri Hollowell
Terri Hollowell , is an American singer. She had five nationally charted singles between 1978 and 1980, has toured internationally, and has appeared on numerous nationally televised programs.- Career :...
, and Dale McBride
Dale McBride
Dale McBride was an American country music singer. In the 1970s, he charted several singles on the Billboard country charts, including two Top 40 hits on the Con Brio Records label. His son is Terry McBride, who fronted the 1990s country band McBride & the Ride and has written singles for Brooks &...
, among others.
Walker currently resides in Nashville, TN with his wife, singer Jeanine Ogletree.