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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZWALKER, Billy(b 14 Jan. '29, Ralls TX) Country singer popular for 40 years. Won amateur contest as a teenager, gaining own radio show on KICA in Clovis NM. Joined Big D Jamboree in Dallas '49 with gimmick of masked singer; had first chart hit "Thank You For Calling' '54 on Columbia; appeared on Louisiana Hayride '52-5, Ozark Jubilee '56-60, Grand Ole Opry '60. Hits every year in '60s incl. "Charlie's Shoes' (no. 1 '62), switching to Monument, then MGM for more top ten hits; then to RCA for top ten "Word Games' '75, smaller hits. Recorded for MRC, Scorpion, Caprice, Dimension, his own Tall Texan Records; came back with duet hits '80 with Barbara Fairchild. Like many other veterans he built a UK following with regular visits to country music festivals. |