Education
Born in Sydney, he attended the University of Sydney"s Conservatorium of Music before moving to South Africa.
- Photos
- Works
- Photos
- Works
Bill Walker
Edit ProfileCareer
In 1959, he began working at Radio Corporation of America 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, Tennessee just in time to learn that Reeves had died in a plane crash.
Walker decided to stay in the United States 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. The Bill Walker Orchestra was also featured on The Statler Brothers Show on TNN, for the show"s entire seven-year run. The Statler Brothers Show was the top-rated show on TNN during its entire tenure.
Walker also directed the music for three of the Statler Brothers" television specials.
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
Achievements
-
Born
-
Nationality
Australia United States of