Ray Walker
Encyclopedia
Ray Walker is a member of the renowned singing group The Jordanaires
. Ray Walker has been the bass singer for the group since 1958. Among the accolades the group has received during his tenure with The Jordanaires is induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the NACMAI (North American Country Music Association International) Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Rockabilly Hall of Fame, Vocal Group Hall of Fame. He was, also, awarded the "Avalon Award", the highest award given for contribution and accomplishment by his alma mater', David Lipscomb University, in 2005.
During the early 1960s, Ray Walker, Neal Matthews, Hoyt Hawkins and Gordon Stoker helped mold the genre of Country Music
known as "The Nashville Sound
", singing backup harmonies to such artists as Patsy Cline
and Jim Reeves
.
Also known for his solo recordings, Walker has helped in the development of albums and CDs of a cappella
composition performed, among others, by the Freed-Hardeman University
Singers and the Harding University
Choir. For years, he served as song director for "The Amazing Grace" bible program, produced by the Madison Church of Christ in the Nashville suburb. He has over 600 a cappella worship songs recorded, reportedly being heard in 77 nations. Walker has been recorded nearly every week since he was 13 years old. He began singing in public at 6 years old. In the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, he was sometimes recorded on 200 songs a week, as aids in church worship in spirit and truth series. Up to 2006, it is estimated that Walker has been recorded on more than 200,000 songs (including repeats for different services and classes), outside of his professional recording with the Jordanaires, and is reservedly believed to be the most recorded voice in the history of music over his 66 years of performing and teaching.
Ray Walker is currently one of the ministers of the Waverly Church of Christ in Waverly, Tennessee.
Walker continues to perform with The Jordanaires
, and the group occasionally performs with country crooner Ronnie McDowell
in programs dedicated to the memory of Elvis Presley
. Ray also continues to lead singing at various congregations of the Churches of Christ.
As of 2011, Walker calls in about once per month on Sirius/XM satellite radio, chatting with longtime disc jockey and Elvis' friend, George Klein. Walker's most recent interview came in February 2011, with topics ranging from how he joined The Jordanaires, Elvis working in the recording studio, Elvis' first encounter with Priscilla, and the time singer/guitarist Jerry Reed
sat in with Elvis.
The Jordanaires
The Jordanaires are an American vocal quartet, which formed as a gospel group in 1948. They are best known for providing vocal background for Elvis Presley, in live appearances and recordings from 1956 to 1972...
. Ray Walker has been the bass singer for the group since 1958. Among the accolades the group has received during his tenure with The Jordanaires is induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the NACMAI (North American Country Music Association International) Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Rockabilly Hall of Fame, Vocal Group Hall of Fame. He was, also, awarded the "Avalon Award", the highest award given for contribution and accomplishment by his alma mater', David Lipscomb University, in 2005.
During the early 1960s, Ray Walker, Neal Matthews, Hoyt Hawkins and Gordon Stoker helped mold the genre of Country Music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
known as "The Nashville Sound
Nashville sound
The Nashville sound originated during the late 1950s as a sub-genre of American country music, replacing the chart dominance of honky tonk music which was most popular in the 1940s and 1950s...
", singing backup harmonies to such artists as Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline , born Virginia Patterson Hensley in Gore, Virginia, was an American country music singer who enjoyed pop music crossover success during the era of the Nashville sound in the early 1960s...
and 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...
.
Also known for his solo recordings, Walker has helped in the development of albums and CDs of a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
composition performed, among others, by the Freed-Hardeman University
Freed-Hardeman University
Freed-Hardeman University is a primarily undergraduate university in Henderson, Tennessee. The university is located within a short distance of the town's central area. The university traces its heritage to the members of the Churches of Christ who helped build it...
Singers and the Harding University
Harding University
Harding University is located in Searcy, Arkansas, in the United States, about north-east of Little Rock. It is a private liberal arts Christian university associated with the Churches of Christ. The university takes its name from James A...
Choir. For years, he served as song director for "The Amazing Grace" bible program, produced by the Madison Church of Christ in the Nashville suburb. He has over 600 a cappella worship songs recorded, reportedly being heard in 77 nations. Walker has been recorded nearly every week since he was 13 years old. He began singing in public at 6 years old. In the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, he was sometimes recorded on 200 songs a week, as aids in church worship in spirit and truth series. Up to 2006, it is estimated that Walker has been recorded on more than 200,000 songs (including repeats for different services and classes), outside of his professional recording with the Jordanaires, and is reservedly believed to be the most recorded voice in the history of music over his 66 years of performing and teaching.
Ray Walker is currently one of the ministers of the Waverly Church of Christ in Waverly, Tennessee.
Family and life today
In September 1954, Ray married the former Marilyn DuFresne. The couple have six children, fifteen grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.Walker continues to perform with The Jordanaires
The Jordanaires
The Jordanaires are an American vocal quartet, which formed as a gospel group in 1948. They are best known for providing vocal background for Elvis Presley, in live appearances and recordings from 1956 to 1972...
, and the group occasionally performs with country crooner Ronnie McDowell
Ronnie McDowell
Ronald Dean "Ronnie" McDowell is an American country music artist. He made his debut in 1977 with the song "The King Is Gone", a tribute to Elvis Presley, who had died not long before the single's release. From that single onward, McDowell has charted more than thirty Top 40 hits on the Billboard...
in programs dedicated to the memory of Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
. Ray also continues to lead singing at various congregations of the Churches of Christ.
As of 2011, Walker calls in about once per month on Sirius/XM satellite radio, chatting with longtime disc jockey and Elvis' friend, George Klein. Walker's most recent interview came in February 2011, with topics ranging from how he joined The Jordanaires, Elvis working in the recording studio, Elvis' first encounter with Priscilla, and the time singer/guitarist Jerry Reed
Jerry Reed
Jerry Reed Hubbard , known professionally as Jerry Reed, was an American country music singer, innovative guitarist, songwriter, and actor who appeared in more than a dozen films...
sat in with Elvis.