ROOTS of Country Music

The Professional Work of Charlie Walker

(Nov. 2, 1926 – Sep.  12, 2008)

Career Highlights

Barn Dance Affiliate: Big D Jamboree

Band Name: Cowboy Ramblers

Grand Ole Opry Member (1967)

Film, Night Club, Radio & TV

• Austin City Limits, 4
• Billy Bob's Texas, 2
• Ernest Tubb’s  Midnight Jamboree, 3
• Gilley’s Club, 2
• Hee Haw, 4
• Nashville Now, 4
• Pop Goes the Country, 4
• The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, 4
• The Jimmy Dean Show, 4
• The Johnny Carson Show
• The Johnny Cash Show, 4
• The Porter Wagoner Show, 4
• The Statler Brothers Show, 4
• The Wilburn Brothers Show, 4 

1-Film, 2-Night Club, 3-Radio, 4-TV

Billboard Chart Data 

• No. 1 Singles: 0
• Top-20 Singles: 7
• Crossover Singles: 0
• Charted Singles: 25
• Years Active: 1956 - 1974

Awards

Country Radio DJ Hall of Fame (1981)

Career Labels

• Decca Records (1956)
• Columbia (1958-1961)
• Epic Records (1964-1971)
• RCA Records (1972-1973)
• Capitol Records (1974)

Billboard Top-20 Singles

• Only You, Only You -1956
• Pick Me Up On Your Way Down* -1958
• I'll Catch You When You Fall -1959
• Who Will Buy The Wine -1960
• Close All The Honky Tonks -1964
• Wild As A Wildcat 1965
• Don't Squeeze My Sharmon -1967

*Biggest Single, No. 2

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Pick Me Up On Your Way Down

The Charlie Walker Story

Charlie Walker was a country musician born in Copeville, Texas. He held membership in the Grand Ole Opry from 1967 and was inducted into the Country Radio DJ Hall of Fame in 1981.

Mr. Walker, born in Copeville, Texas, joined the Opry's ranks in 1967, after establishing himself as a vastly respected country DJ with KMAC in San Antonio, starting in 1951. Walker recorded for Decca Records in the mid-'50s, and later earned his first big hit while part of the Columbia Records roster:  His first hit, Only You, Only You was co-written with Jack Newman and reached number 9 on the country chart in January 1956.

Charlie Walker later signed with Columbia Records and reached number 2 with a Harlan Howard song, Pick Me Up On Your Way Down.

Walker's other hits include Who Will Buy the Wine, Wild as a Wildcat, Don't Squeeze My Sharmon and I Wouldn't Take Her To A Dog Fight Even If I Thought That She Could Win. Many of his records featured harmony vocals by Ray Price.

Charlie was no stranger to the camera either. He played the role of Hawkshaw Hawkins in the biographical film, Sweet Dreams, which was about the plane crash that killed Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins and Cowboy Copas.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Researched, written and compiled by Richard Bell. Roots of Country Music. Oct., 15, 2011. 

Charlie Walker

Pick Me Up On Your Way Down

Don't Squeeze My Sharmon