Recording artist returning home
CONNELLSVILLE – An international music recording artist that once sang regularly with the Payne A.M.E. Church choir has returned to his hometown to again sing for the congregation, his family and friends. On Saturday, Gary Walker will perform in concert at 6 p.m. at the West Crawford Avenue church.
Walker, the son of Kathaleen Walker and the late John Walker, graduated from Connellsville Area High School in 1973.
Although he sang at church, it was during his high school years that he began to consider a career in music as he studied with former district music teacher Merle Stutzman.
“He was my first voice teacher,” said Walker as he recalled the path that has led him from his home in Leisenring to Hollywood, Calif., to Tokyo, Japan and other locales.
While in high school he attended a concert where Stutzman was a featured soloist and was inspired to work hard to achieve his goal.
“I wanted to study classical music, but while not discouraging me, he pushed me toward pop music,” he said.
After high school and performing with some local musical groups, he attended Penn State University. During a summer break he joined his brother’s band, “Son Light,” and never looked back.
The show band, that included his brother, Donald, and local residents Linda Dunston, Harry Delmar, David Kovatch and Sam Pirrus began playing at local bars and restaurants including the Holiday Inn in Uniontown and Bobby Dale’s in Greensburg where the group was spotted by a Pittsburgh agent.
“People started following us and it even surprised us because the businesses had to turn people away,” he said.
With an agent now handling their schedule, the band toured along the East Coast performing “anything current” for audiences at various venues.
“It was exciting, but hard at times,” said Walker. “We traveled by car and two trucks; we had a good band; a well-rehearsed band, a good following and a pretty good agent.
“The routing was sometimes difficult. One night we’d be in Florida and the next night had to be in Toledo, Ohio.
“It wasn’t as glamorous as some might think.”
Eventually, a medical condition halted his touring with the band and forced Walker home to recuperate and plan for his future.
“I decided to go off on my own,” he said. “I wanted to sing jazz and decided this was the time to make the change.”
For a short while, he sang with a jazz group, but then determined to go solo.
“I went to Pittsburgh and began freelancing,” said Walker. “I worked with a lot of jazz artists at many local clubs.”
At one point, he teamed up with family friend and Connellsville’s own, Harold Betters.
“He hired me as his vocalist on many occasions,” said Walker.
Betters also was responsible for paving the way for him to move to the West Coast.
“I called him and told him that I wanted to go to California, but money was tight and I needed to work,” said Walker. “He helped me get there.”
He teamed up with friend and keyboardist Chris Pappas and together traveled to California where they hoped to gain fame and fortune.
“We started working regular jobs and sold our cars for some extra money,” he said. “The money that we made we bought studio time so we could record our original songs.”
On one occasion, he appeared at the studio for an audition on the wrong day, but was asked to “stick around” by the producer as he prepared for another artist.
“The band came in and set up and the (producer) asked what I could sing,” recalled Walker. “Just then, in walked Billy Preston and sat down at the organ.
“I was shocked.”
His singing that day netted him a vocalist position with the band and set him up to later meet and work with Ringo Starr.
Eventually, Walker was asked by rapper LL Cool J to join him in Tokyo where he now resides most of the year.
He recently released a CD entitled “Storybook” that was recorded in Japan and a single, entitled “So Deep” produced by a Los Angeles-based recording company.
“I’ve had a very good life and career,” said Walker.
While he has been to a myriad of places and met many fascinating people, Walker said he is looking forward to singing again in the church were he grew up.
“I will enjoy singing for my mother and Ruth Webster who played the piano for me when I sang,” he said. “I enjoy coming back to the church.”
Church pastor, the Rev. Acquanetta Osborne invites the public to attend.
A $6 love offering to help with ongoing church activities, will be collected at the door, said Rev. Osborne.
For more information, call 724-626-8503.