Joshua Ray Walker Tour Dates and Upcoming Concerts

Joshua grew up listening to the 80's and 90's pop country that played on his parents car radio like many young Texans did at that time, but he was more interested in the records played in his grandfather's garage, where he spent most of his free time as a child. His grandfather, Ray, had a large collection of Rag-time, Bluegrass and folk music from the Smokey Mountains, where he grew up but played almost as often were Ray's "dance" records. He and Joshua's grandmother, Gail, had been professional dance instructors in Manhattan, where they met, before moving to Texas in the 70's. They brought along stacks of old salsa, meringue, rumba, bossa nova, cha-cha and even some south african penny whistle and choral music. This shaped Joshua's early career as a musician. His first instrument was Ray's four string tenor banjo. He soon graduated to a five string and then, at eight years old, a classical guitar after taking interest in flamenco music. At nine he was placed in his first formal lessons with a blues guitarist at a local music store. It didn't take long for him to want an electric so he could emulate the style he had seen his teacher play. Due to family financial issues Joshua could no longer take lessons and so began his self education as a musician. Joshua began gigging in blues bands at nine as a gimmick but they soon realized he had the potential to be a working musician and by junior high he played regularly in local bands. For over a decade now, he has been pursuing his goal of being a working musician mostly in the role of lead guitarist but he has also played drums, bass, and banjo in bands over the years. The most recent occurrence in his career is, very strange. He is writing and singing Country music. The one genre he always shied away from growing up has become his new passion. When his paternal grandfather Billy Walker passed in 2006 he inherited some country records, the good stuff, Merle, Waylon, Jones, Hank I and II, Willie, Guy Clark and things of the like but he didn't give them any attention at first. What sparked Joshua's writing was the passing of his grandfather, Ray, in late 2009. A few months after Ray passed, he was playing guitar in his bedroom and for the first time lyrics started coming to mind. That night he wrote a verse and chorus to what would eventually be his first song. It turns out it was a folk song, and the more he wrote the less folk and the more country his songs began to sound. He started to listen to those old country records and he finally understood. It's about the story. What he loved so much about instrumental music could be expressed in few words and simple rhymes and still have so much meaning. His least favorite genre of music has become his genre of choice and he would like to share what he's written with you. Expect his first solo release "I Rode The Bull at Bronco Billy's" this Summer!