Wayne Paul Walker was an American songwriter.

Biography

Walker was born in

Oklahoma Oklahoma (; Choctaw language, Choctaw: ; chr, ᎣᎧᎳᎰᎹ, ''Okalahoma'' ) is a U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States, bordered by Texas on the south and west, Kansas on the nor ...

. He wanted to become a country music performer but later found success as a songwriter in the 1950s and 1960s. Walker began his music career, influenced by his association with Webb Pierce and

Tillman Franks Tillman Ben Franks, Sr. (September 29, 1920 – October 26, 2006), was an American bassist and songwriter and the manager for a number of country music artists including Johnny Horton, David Houston, Webb Pierce, Claude King, and the Carli ...

. His first hit, "

I've Got a New Heartache "I've Got a New Heartache" is a song recorded by American country music artist Ray Price. It was released in November 1956 as the first single from his ''Greatest Hits'' compilation album. The song reached #2 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Si ...

," was a country hit for Ray Price in 1956, later revived by Ricky Skaggs in 1986. His songwriting resulted in top 10 country singles in the 1950s and 1960s. "All the Time," written by him, topped the charts in 1967 in

Jack Greene Jack Henry Greene (January 7, 1930 – March 14, 2013) was an American country musician. Nicknamed the "Jolly Greene Giant" due to his height and deep voice, Greene was a long time member of the Grand Ole Opry. A three-time Grammy Award nomine ...

's rendition, receiving ''Billboards Country Song of the Year award. Some other country musicians who performed Walker's compositions, include Kitty Wells and Ray Price. "Are You Sincere" broke beyond the country genre, reaching #3 on the 1958 Billboard pop chart with

Andy Williams Howard Andrew Williams (December 3, 1927 – September 25, 2012) was an American singer. He recorded 43 albums in his career, of which 15 have been gold certified and three platinum certified. He was also nominated for six Grammy Awards. He hos ...

and earning Walker a BMI Million Play award.

References

{{reflist 1925 births 1979 deaths American songwriters