Gary Walker, 1932–2020

Gary Walker died last month. Gary is the person most responsible for getting Bob signed to Vanguard Records, and produced the album that probably brought you to this site in the first place.

He was a believer in, and an advocate for, Bob’s songwriting from when they first met in 1971 until his last days. Still a sometime song plugger he had recently been planning a push to get some of Bob’s songs wider recognition. (And had plans to officially release 5 songs that Bob recorded at “Cowboy” Jack Clement’s Nashville studio in the early 90s—a recording session produced by Gary and Cletus Haegert.)

He was so kind and to me and to this documentary project, always generous with his time and thoughtful with his replies. A really wonderful guy.

He began his career as a songwriter in Nashville in the 1950s. Here’s a hit song he wrote for Jim Reeves about 65 years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR6QzfXoiL8

Here are a few obituaries and articles about him.

https://www.nashvillescene.com/music/nashville-cream/article/21139799/gary-walker-19322020

https://musicrow.com/2020/07/great-escape-record-retailer-gary-walker-dies/

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/gary-walker-obituary?pid=196473895

RIP Gary.

-Isaac