Ray Walker

:"See Ray Walker (Australian rules footballer) for the Footscray footballer"Ray Walker (born March 16, 1934) is a member of the renowned singing group The Jordanaires. Ray Walker has been the bass singer for the group since June 1 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, Jr., 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 Singers and the Harding College 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 nationsFact|date=January 2008. 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.

A truly talented gentleman, he continues to perform with The Jordanaires, and the group also performs occasionally with country crooner Ronnie McDowell in programs dedicated to the memory of the group's most famous lead artist, Elvis Presley. Ray also continues to lead singing at various congregations of the churches of Christ.

External links

* [http://www.raywalker.net/ Ray Walker's Official Website]