During
my teens I played in small pubs in Wisconsin and Michigan's upper peninsula
with my Father (Mandolin) and my Brother (Bass Guitar). I have been
married for 32 years to my beautiful wife, Lorelei, who has always been
the greatest supporter of my music.
Currently
a St. Augustine, Fl. resident for the past 7 years, we have lived in
Florida for the past 24 years. When my wife and I moved to Florida,
away from the musical side of my family, I began to play solo guitar.
I realized I had developed a solid thumbstyle in my playing as a result
of accompanying my Dad's Mandolin.
My
greatest musical influences have always been Merle Travis and Chet Atkins.
I remember one of the first songs I learned to play was "Freight Train".
I love Chet's style of music. I also have a great love for Merle Travis
style music. He combined Folk, Country, Ragtime, and Blues into one
great sound. I have also found there is a large following for Travis
style picking and, I love to see the enjoyment on the audience's faces
when I am playing his style.
My
most recent work has evolved into my original songs, focusing on the
beauty of the tones and harmonics that come from the Acoustic Guitar.
Several tunes were inspired by Lorelei's poetry. Her poetry was inspired
by the City of St. Augustine, its history, its people and its ocean.
I believe in the gift of communication and the ability to touch people's
lives with our gifts. I am a positive thinker, highly motivated musically
and inspired by the most loving wife a man could ever hope for.
Sincerely, ---- Clyde Walker