Hovie Walker’s love of gospel music goes back prior to the age of 13 when He accepted Christ. From early years with the Singing Americans, Willie Wynn & The Tenneseans to performing with most major rock-n-roll artists during his time with Leon Russell, Hovie’s greatest accomplishment was the day he accepted Christ. He has an anointed testimony of how a person can get caught up in “things” and lose that which is most important and has led thousands to Christ. Whether it be a message given to him by God in the early morning hours at home or while traveling down the road, Hovie’s boldness in sharing the gospel with others reflects his obedient heart. Being one of Bill & Gloria Gaither’s homecoming friends to just being a friend, Hovie is never too busy to stop and pray for someone who has a special need.
We caught up with Hovie recently and here is part of our conversation.
Hovie what is, “Hovie Walker’s Consulting For Bass Singers" I have been hearing about?
Hovie: It is Strategies and Techniques designed especially for, but not limited too, Bass Singers or low voices.
Why just Bass Singers or lower voices?
Hovie: Because those are the voices I understand best and was trained for.
You mention training, where did you get your training?
Hovie: I was trained at Lee University in Cleveland, TN. by a vocal coach that taught me how to sing vocally correct, however it was not until I met Mr. Leroy Abernathy (the Professor) that I really felt I began to understand what bass singing was all about.
What was so different from what you had been taught in college than what Mr. Abernathy taught?
Hovie: Everything. It was like day and night.
Would you care to elaborate on that?
Hovie: Roosevelt Miller at Lee College taught over-all vocal lessons and singing correctly. He did not concentrate on an individual voice. Leroy Abernathy had this unique Strategy and Technique that was all his own. No one else in the world teaches it or has ever taught it that I am aware of. He had an ability that God had given him to do extraordinary things with his voice that only he could do.
Like what?
Hovie: It was all about the Technique of placement. Being able to sing and place one’s voice where one wants it to be. When I first went to the Professor, he had me sing and then said; “I can tell you have had training so it is going to take me more time than usual. I will have to un-train you before I can train you.” Of course, that made me a little upset as I had been singing professionally for some years. I thought I already knew how to sing, But I Didn’t! His Strategies and Techniques reshaped my thoughts and working patterns and gave me a clear road map to show me how to get to where I wished to be.
Who had you been singing with?
Hovie: I had sung with the Gospelaires out of Athens, TN. and The Melody Boys Qt. out of Benton, TN. before I had gone into full time singing. In 1969 Big Jim Hammel and Eldridge Fox of the mighty Kingsmen Qt. worked with us in concert and passed my name to Homer Wadford, who at the time, owned a weekend group called, The Singing Americans. Homer contacted me, we met and I started managing and singing bass with The Singing Americans for five and one half years as a full time group. Willie Wynn and The Tennessee’s hired me in Waycross, Ga. and I became the bass singer with Willie Wynn & The Tennessee’s.
So you were with some noted groups before meeting Mr. Abernathy?
Hovie: Yes. I had met him but had never sat under his teaching. He taught London Parish, (The Rebels Qt. bass singer) and had worked with them very closely. We hired “Little” Jimmy Taylor to play piano with The Singing Americans. “Little” Jimmy had been the piano and baritone singer with The Rebels for many years learning from the Professor. He immediately started working with the Singing Americans teaching Leroy’s techniques. I was familiar with Leroy’s techniques through Jimmy but had never really captured it until later when I started driving to Canton.
Driving to Canton? Canton, GA?
Hovie: Yes
That is a pretty good ways form Nashville isn’t it?
Hovie: Yes. It took me about two and one half to three hours to get there. My appointment was Tuesday and Thursday nights from midnight to one in the morning. Sometimes after the session Leroy would sit down and talk for a while.
How long did you take lessons?
Hovie: Five and one half years. Guess it took me longer to get it through my thick skull! Ha!
What are your plans for Hovie Walker’s Consulting For Bass Singers?
Hovie: I’ve had bass singers over the years ask me for help or for guidance and I have always turned them down. I felt that if someone needed help it was me and that I didn’t have the training skills or certificate hanging on the wall to say I could teach. A few months ago I was approached by a close friend, Mr. Terry Weeks, who asked me about helping a bass singer he knew. I told him I didn’t have the full knowledge that I felt it would take to train someone in Leroy’s techniques. His question sort of stunned me when he asked, then what bass singer living today knows more about Leroy Abernathy’s Techniques than you? My reply was, I don’t know of anyone. He then closed the deal with, well if you don’t teach what you know, then who is going to carry on Mr. Abernathy’s techniques? When I had thought about it for a while, I picked up the phone and called “Little” Jimmy Taylor. After telling him my challenge, with love and encouragement he pushed me on and asked me two things. Did Leroy’s Strategies and Techniques help you and did you ever see a certificate hanging on his wall? My answer was, he changed my life and no I never saw any papers that he had been taught anything. Jimmy then said, DO IT!
Are you going to train bass singers like Mr. Abernathy did?
Hovie: I am going to do my best. I have five and one half years, two hours a weeks worth of tapes that I am re-listening to and in no way do I claim to know what the Professor knew, but I will and do know what he taught me and that is what I am going to try my best to pass on to other young bass singers that are willing to give it their all to learn.
How long does it usually take to learn Mr. Abernathy’s techniques?
Hovie: Well, my lessons started just after my friend, Mr. Brock Speer’s ended most of the time and I will put it to you the way Brock did to someone who ask him this question. Brock, after all these years why do you still drive all that way to take lessons from Leroy. Brock said,” Well just because you have a winning ball team, doesn’t mean you fire the coach”! Brock studied until he could no longer drive, not too long before his passing.
When does Hovie Walker’s Bass Singer Consulting start and how does someone get in touch with you?
Hovie: My email is .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and my phone is 615-855-1963.
So you are ready now?
Hovie: I’m ready when God sends the singer.
Are bass singers all you will be training?
Hovie: No. Two dear friends and singing buddies of mine, Mr. Terry Blackwood and Mr. Jim Murray if the need arises, will join me for any occasion. Together we feel we are able to handle just about anything that might confront a group or individuals. If you as an individual or group have questions, call and let’s talk. We will do our best to teach you the Strategies and Techniques that will help you feel secure about your singing and yourself and like us, move you from Karaoke to Grammy’s!
www.hoviewalker.com
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 06/15/2007
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Comments: 8
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Hovie, Great News!
Hovie, this is wonderful what you are doing. God has used you in so many ways. Continue your service to him.
I remember Hovie from his days with the THRASHER BROTHERS.I saw them in Rutland,VT at the state fair.They were great!
Skull
Hovie,
Thank you! Hovie Walker - Keep posting more on him and his bass lessons.
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