Biography
Hailing from Como, Mississippi, the Walker Family Singers constitute an a capella gospel septet. Octogenarian Raymond Walker, whose lineage traces back through multiple generations of Delta-region preachers, serves as the ensemble’s leader. Alongside his wife Joella, the group incorporates daughters Alberta, Patricia, and Delouse together with sons Robert and Bobby.
During the 1950s and ’60s, Raymond Walker received multiple offers that would have allowed him to earn his livelihood through singing. Accounts commonly recount that Mississippi Fred McDowell and Sam Cooke each invited him to tour, yet he declined both invitations so he could remain with his family. Nevertheless, he belonged to the Longtime Travelers, a gospel vocal ensemble regarded as legendary throughout Mississippi and among the genre’s devoted followers, although the group never entered a recording studio.
Michael Reilly recorded the Walker Family Singers in their own home for Daptone’s ongoing a cappella gospel series. Several members of the family had already appeared on the series’ inaugural release, Como Now: The Voices of Panola County, MS. The producer noted that seven years were required to complete the project, owing to the immense breadth of the family’s repertoire. “Their songbook runs so deep that they don’t always even know what they know.” Early in 2016 the resulting album, Panola County Spirit, was issued.
During the 1950s and ’60s, Raymond Walker received multiple offers that would have allowed him to earn his livelihood through singing. Accounts commonly recount that Mississippi Fred McDowell and Sam Cooke each invited him to tour, yet he declined both invitations so he could remain with his family. Nevertheless, he belonged to the Longtime Travelers, a gospel vocal ensemble regarded as legendary throughout Mississippi and among the genre’s devoted followers, although the group never entered a recording studio.
Michael Reilly recorded the Walker Family Singers in their own home for Daptone’s ongoing a cappella gospel series. Several members of the family had already appeared on the series’ inaugural release, Como Now: The Voices of Panola County, MS. The producer noted that seven years were required to complete the project, owing to the immense breadth of the family’s repertoire. “Their songbook runs so deep that they don’t always even know what they know.” Early in 2016 the resulting album, Panola County Spirit, was issued.
Albums