People come in and out of our lives for many reasons, I am glad that Ray Walker was one who came into my life and stayed. Our paths crossed in Hopkinsville, Kentucky in 1969 where he was headlining a youth rally. What a talent, he put on a fabulous show. Without that chance meeting, I would not be sitting here today and writing this blog. Ray was responsible for me coming to Nashville to pursue my career as an artist.
With my husband and two children, we moved to Nashville where we lived with Ray and his wife, Marilyn, for three weeks until we were able to get settled into our own house. Ray took us everywhere, recording sessions, taping, we met so many people it was quite an experience.
Ray came to Nashville in 1952 to attend David Lipscomb College immediately after graduating from Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville, Florida. Ray was Chaplain of his graduating class at both schools. Ray became the bass singer in the college quartet that Pat Boone was also a member of the group. He began doing local television and various shows, both, on his own and with the quartet.
In September 1954, a junior in college, Ray and Marilyn married. Ray dropped out of school in 1955, moved to Centerville, Tennessee, where he helped to build a radio station, WHLP, worked with the local Church, and, became the youngest school principal in the history of Tennessee. He came back to college in 1956 and graduated in June 1957, with a BA Degree in Speech, Music, Bible, and, Education; worked for Werthan Bag Company during the Summer. By that time Ray and Marilyn’s third child was on the way.
In 1958, Ray was teaching school in Davidson County, where he was the Assistant Principal, Coach, and commanded a split seventh and eighth grade class. In April, Gordon Stoker called the music department of the school inquiring about a bass singer that might be suited for their group. Ray was suggested. Ray was called that afternoon, auditioned at 11:00 pm and the next day was asked to go to Hollywood to record. He went, came home and completed his school year of teaching, and joined the Jordanaires, officially, June 1, 1958. His first session birthed one of my favorite Elvis songs, “A Fool Such As I”
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”. If you recorded in Nashville in the 1960s and 70s odds are the Jordanaires were standing behind you.
Since that time, while working with the Jordanaires, Ray has been involved in over three thousand sing-outs, youth rallies, and appearances of his own. Ray was the Bass Singer in “THE JORDANAIRES” for 54 years and 345 days. Upon the passing of Gordon Stoker, March 27, 2013, “THE JORDANAIRES” as a group, officially, came to an end. But Ray continues to perform and lead singing at his church.
Ray has been recorded nearly every week since he was 13 years old. He recorded on average 200 songs a week, and it is estimated that he has been recorded on more than 200,000 songs. It is possible that he is the most recorded voice in the history of music over his 66 years of performing and teaching.
As a friend you could have none better. Thanks Ray for being my friend.
Biography from http://www.jordanaires.net/RayWalker/raybio.htm
Hi Betty, Ray is such an interesting person, I contacted him last year to sing at the Elvis Festival 2012 to come to France, but at the time his wife was not well. it was such a shame, I really love to hear him sing, he has a fantastic BASS voice.
Perhaps another year he would be able to make it here in France, once the Ace Club Elvis starts growing.
I also tried to enter your Competition, but unfortuantely i can’t get to your gallery from France., but i amust admit that the sketches that you have done are so fantastic and so to detail.
Talk soon and take care, Laraine.
Betty , as you know The Jordanaires are on more top 100 recordings (and perhaps all recordings) of all types than any artists in history . And Ray Walker IS the most recorded voice in the history of recording . To say he is a living legend is an understatement . I have my XM satellite tuned only to 50s , 60s , 70s , Elvis , and classic country and I usually can not go more than a few songs without hearing the Jordanaires on one of them . In fact , on many occasions I have heard them on multiple stations at the same time (I’m a channel surfer) . Truly Amazing ! Many songs would never have been a hit without their incredible voices . Imagine “Big Bad John” , “North To Alaska” , “Crazy” , “Traveling Man” and hundreds upon hundreds of other hits without Ray Walker and the Jordanaires ! I have lived in Santa Barbara Calif. and spent lots of time in N.Y. City and have met many major stars and celebrities over the last 50 years . In the early and mid 90s I was fortunate to meet and speak with Ray Walker , Gordon Stoker and Neil Mathews on 3 different occasions (I wish Hoyt had been there) . I was more excited meeting them than all the other celebrities combined . I would love to speak to Ray Walker again and let him know how much he is admired and respected .
Brother Ray I took it a honor to have had you in my home after having you at a sing: Dewey Avenue Church of Christ, Saint Marys, West Virginia. Ray you are always welcome to my home. Next time bring Marylyn with you and we could enjoy her as much as we enjoyed you.God Bless you Ray & Marylyn
Stephen and Carolyn Rule [To the Bass Singer from the Big Nurse]
My sincere condolences to you and your family on the passing of my aunt Marilyn on this day of 6 12 2023 may she rise in the resurrection of her sisters fay Thornton and Joyce franks and join each other in love and eternal life