Ray Walker (born March 16, 1934) is a former member of the singing group

the Jordanaires The Jordanaires were an American vocal quartet that formed as a gospel group in 1948. Over the years, they recorded both sacred and secular music for recording companies such as Capitol Records, RCA Victor, Columbia Records, Decca Records, Vo ...

. Walker was the bass singer for the group from 1958 until the group split in 2013. During his tenure with the Jordanaires, the group was inducted into the

Country Music Hall of Fame The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, is one of the world's largest museums and research centers dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of American vernacular music. Chartered in 1964, the museum has amass ...

, the NACMAI (North American Country Music Association International) Hall of Fame, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. Walker was also awarded the "Avalon Award," the highest award given for contribution and accomplishment by his ''alma mater'', David Lipscomb University, in 2005.

Career

During the early 1960s, Ray Walker, Neal Matthews, Hoyt Hawkins, and Gordon Stoker helped mold the genre of

country music Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...

known as "The Nashville Sound", singing backup harmonies to such artists as

Patsy Cline Patsy Cline (born Virginia Patterson Hensley; September 8, 1932 – March 5, 1963) was an American singer. One of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century, she was known as one of the first country music artists to successfully Cross ...

and

Jim Reeves James Travis Reeves (August 20, 1923July 31, 1964) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician. One of the earliest pioneers and practitioners of the Nashville sound, he played a central role in the sonic development of country music in th ...

. Also known for his solo recordings, Walker has helped in the development of albums and CDs of ''

a cappella Music performed a cappella ( , , ; ), less commonly spelled acapella in English, is music performed by a singer or a singing group without instrumental accompaniment. The term ''a cappella'' was originally intended to differentiate between Rena ...

'' composition performed by, among others, the Freed-Hardeman University Singers and the Harding University Choir. For years, Walker 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 it is possible that he is the most recorded voice in the history of music over his 66 years of performing and teaching. The Jordanaires also backed up Elvis Presley for 15 years beginning in 1956 until he started doing two shows a night in Las Vegas. 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 Marilyn DuFresne. The couple have six children, fifteen grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren. As of 2019, Walker continues to perform as a solo artist; with the death of

Gordon Stoker The Jordanaires were an American vocal quartet that formed as a gospel group in 1948. Over the years, they recorded both sacred and secular music for recording companies such as Capitol Records, RCA Victor, Columbia Records, Decca Records, Voc ...

in 2013 and the Jordainaires' dissolution, Walker is the last surviving member of the group's classic lineup. The group, occasionally, performed with country crooner

Ronnie McDowell Ronald Dean McDowell Sr. (born March 25, 1950) is an American country music artist. McDowell charted more than 30 top-40 hits on the ''Billboard'' country music charts. Two of his singles – " Older Women" and " You're Gonna Ruin My Bad Reputati ...

in programs dedicated to the memory of

Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one of the most significant cultural figures of the ...

, as well as, other tribute artists in honor of Elvis. Ray also continues to lead singing at various congregations of the Churches of Christ. As of 2011, Walker is called 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 April 2016, 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 Hubbard (March 20, 1937 – September 1, 2008), known professionally as Jerry Reed, was an American country singer, guitarist, composer, songwriter and actor who appeared in more than a dozen films. His signature songs included " Gui ...

sat in with Elvis. ource at Examiner.com: "Jordanaire Ray Walker Recalls Studio Nights With Elvis Presley and Jerry Reed"

References

External links

Ray Walker's Official website

Ray Walker's Official Website of The Jordanaires
{{DEFAULTSORT:Walker, Ray 1934 births American members of the Churches of Christ Lipscomb University alumni Living people American basses American gospel singers The Jordanaires members