Billy Walker is pure country - an honest-to-gosh, downhome, "good ole boy" - and that's just how he wants it.  Among the current crop of pop- and rock-country crossovers, he's the genuine article, and one of country music's most outspoken crusaders for a return to real country music.  The pre-60's Cheatin' Heart kind that has spoken to the basic feelings in all of us for years, over the plaintive wail of a steel guitar.

When it comes to "what it's all about," "The Tall Texan" knows whereof he speaks.  Born in Ralls, Texas, a wide spot in the road about 35 miles east of Lubbock "where the chickens chase the jackrabbits", Billy was one of 8 children and went through the Great Depression with no chance to see anything of the world except the several small towns they lived in during that time, ending up in one called Whiteface.  When he was 13 his Dad gave him a dime to see a Gene Autry movie, and that movie set the pattern for Billy's lifelong love of country music.  He knew then that music was to be his career and started on the unwavering path that has led him to his present status in the country music world.

With some money earned plucking turkeys for his uncle, Billy bought an old guitar and a $0.25 instruction book, learned at least one new chord from every "picker" that came to town, and soon taught himself how to sing and play well enough to win a radio talent contest in Clovis, New Mexico while he was still in high school.  The prize was $3.00, a chocolate cake, and weekly (unpaid) appearances on a 15-minute radio show.  This was a real break, despite the fact that for two years he had to hitchhike the 180-mile trip between Whiteface and Clovis every Saturday to do the shows.

After high school Billy traveled with a Texas band, had his own trio for a time, and in 1951 became a member of the Big D Jamboree in Dallas.  That same year he signed his first recording contract, which started a long list of over 100 sides, 32 Top 10 hits, and six No. 1 hits with which he is now identified, such as Cross the Brazos at Waco, Word Games, Charlie's Shoes, and When a Man Loves a Woman.

From the Big D Jamboree Billy moved on to the Louisiana Hayride in 1952, joining the ranks of Webb Pierce.  While performing on this prestigious show, Billy and Slim Whitman helped bring Elvis to the Hayride in 1954.  Billy's time at the Hayride led to a long stint with Red Foley's Ozark Jubilee, and that in turn led to Nashville in the form of a standing invitation to appear on the Grand Ole Opry, which he joined in 1960.  In addition to the Opry, tours around the world, club engagements, and shows at every major arena in the USA, Billy has been seen by millions on TV's Hee Haw, Ozark Jubilee, Pop! Goes the Country, Nashville On the Road, and all of the foremost talk shows.  He has entertained millions at fairs, rodeos, and expositions throughout the country, and still looks forward to each new town and each new audience.

With his big, 6-foot 3-inch frame, easy movements, and congenial personality, Billy is "The Tall Texan" in every respect.  He loves his work, he loves his audiences, and he's never too rushed to stop for another autograph or a word with someone who wants to chat a spell.

People are anxious to come out to see the man whose songs have become so familiar to them on the Opry broadcasts or their stereos.  Billboard Magazine has listed him as one of the top 20 "most played" artists of the past 20 years, and his "Funny How Time Slips Away" has been certified by BMI for a million airplays.  Everyone can relate to Billy, just as he relates to them, and he will soon reveal even more as he releases his story, Larger than Life, written by C.S. Townsend, in which he talks candidly about his life and his narrow escape from the plane crash that claimed the lives of his manager, Randy Hughes, and his friends Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins.

When you're talking about Billy Walker, you're talking about a living legend.  It's impossible to cover everything this man has accomplished and continues to accomplish in his vast career.  For example, his latest single, "Adam's Side", has become America's number one requested wedding song.

If it's country music at its authentic best, then it's Billy Walker, "The Tall Texan".