Known as "The Tall Texan", Billy Walker was a country singer who made his first records in 1949 and had his debut hit in 1954, going on to build a chart career that lasted over three decades, as he adapted his style to the changing country market. This collection addresses the first decade and more of that career, when he firmly established his reputation and became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, enjoying a career highlight with the No. 1 country hit "Charlie's Shoes" and the Top 5 hit "Willie The Weeper" in 1962. He was one of the first country artists to record a song by Willie Nelson. This great-value 56-track 2-CD comprises selected A and B sides from his releases on the Capitol and Columbia labels during these years, including duets with Jeanette Hicks. It features all his pop and country hits from this era, including the country No. 1 "Charlie's Shoes", the No. 5 "Willie The Weeper" and the Top 20 entries "Thank You For Calling", "On My Mind Again" and "I Wish You Love". The collection follows his progression through the country ranks as styles changed to the new Nashville sound, and he flirted with the rockabilly and rock 'n roll idioms along the way, and it's an enlightening and entertaining introduction to a country star whose music merits more attention than it has received over the years.
8 Fifteen Hugs Past Midnight (Twenty Kisses Til' One)
9 Millie My Darling
10 What Makes Me Love You (Like I Do)
11 Who Took My Ring from Your Finger?
12 One Heart's Beatin', One Heart's Cheatin'
13 If I Should Live That Long
14 Back Street Affair
15 The One You Hurt
16 You Have My Heart Now
17 Mexican Joe
18 Time Will Tell All
19 Don't Let Your Pride Break Your Heart
20 I Got Lost Along the Way
21 Thank You for Calling
22 Going, Going, Gone
23 I'm a Fool to Care
24 Kissing You
25 You're the Only Good Thing (That's Happened to Me)
26 Let Me Hear from You
27 Hey
28 Which One of Us Is to Blame
- Disc 2 -
1 Fool That I Am
2 The Record
3 Why Does It Have to Be
4 I've Got Leavin' on My Mind
5 So Far
6 Especially for Fools
7 If You're Happy (Then I'm Satisfied)
8 On My Mind Again
9 The Image of Me
10 I Need It
11 Put Your Hand in Mine
12 It'll Take Awhile
13 Where My Baby Goes
14 Ghost of a Promise
15 It's Doggone Tough on Me
16 I Thought About You
17 Mr. Heartache
18 A Woman Like You
19 Storm Within My Heart
20 Changed My Mind
21 Forever
22 Gotta Find a Way
23 I Wish You Love
24 Faded Lights and Lonesome People
25 Yes, I've Made It
26 Funny How Time Slips Away
27 Joey's Back in Town
28 Charlie's Shoes
29 Willie the Weeper
30 Beggin' for Trouble
Known as "The Tall Texan", Billy Walker was a country singer who made his first records in 1949 and had his debut hit in 1954, going on to build a chart career that lasted over three decades, as he adapted his style to the changing country market. This collection addresses the first decade and more of that career, when he firmly established his reputation and became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, enjoying a career highlight with the No. 1 country hit "Charlie's Shoes" and the Top 5 hit "Willie The Weeper" in 1962. He was one of the first country artists to record a song by Willie Nelson. This great-value 56-track 2-CD comprises selected A and B sides from his releases on the Capitol and Columbia labels during these years, including duets with Jeanette Hicks. It features all his pop and country hits from this era, including the country No. 1 "Charlie's Shoes", the No. 5 "Willie The Weeper" and the Top 20 entries "Thank You For Calling", "On My Mind Again" and "I Wish You Love". The collection follows his progression through the country ranks as styles changed to the new Nashville sound, and he flirted with the rockabilly and rock 'n roll idioms along the way, and it's an enlightening and entertaining introduction to a country star whose music merits more attention than it has received over the years.