John Wallace "Wally" Fowler (February 15, 1917–June 3, 1994)

Biography

Wally Fowler began his career as a professional gospel singer in 1935 at the age of 18. He sang baritone with the John Daniel Quartet.

He founded The Georgia Clodhoppers to sing country music in 1943. The group was renamed the Oak Ridge Quartet after they were routinely scheduled to entertain workers at the Manhattan Project compound in Oak Ridge, Tennessee during World War Two. Fowler started a total of four versions of the Oak Ridge Quartet and was associated with the group name into the 1960s. A lawsuit filed by the third version of the group ultimately forced Fowler to relinquish the name in the mid-1960s.

In 1948, Fowler launched a popular series of "All-Nite Sings" from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, home of the famous Grand Ole Opry. He would later take the show on the road across the Southern United States. During the 1950s in addition to promoting his concerts, Fowler hosted a television show called The Wally Fowler Show.

Fowler was also a songwriter who had songs recorded by several Country and Gospel artists. He published some songs using "Bea Packer" as a pseudonymn.

Fowler was 77 years old when he died in 1994. He fell (possibly due to a heart attack) while fishing from a dock and drowned.

Solo Discography

Also see Wally Fowler And The Oak Ridge Quartet

hi-res
1957 The Call Of The Cross (Decca Records/DL-8560): The Call Of The Cross; Singin' Camp Meetin' Style; The Signs By The Side Of The Road; Precious Memories; Trav'lers Rest; Let Me Walk, Let Me Talk (Ev'ry Day With My Lord); Just Over The Hill; Somewhere A Voice Is Calling; Don't Be Afraid; As An Eagle Stirreth Her Nest; Journey Of No Return; Down In The Valley Of Prayer.

1967 Gospel Sing (Vocalion Records/VL 73764): The Fourth Man; Where No One Stands Alone; You Can't Run Away From God; Down In The Valley Of Prayer; Higher On The Ladder; The 4th "R" (Religion); A Rusty Old Halo; The Air, The Sunshine, And The Rain; In The Middle Of The Night; Hear Them Bells.

hi-res
1968 A Tribute To Mother (Nashwood Records/NWCLP100): Mother Mine; Sweetest Mother; Wrinkled And Old; My Child! Welcome Home!; The Chair That Rocked Us All; Mama Sang A Song; Rocking Alone In An Old Rocking Chair; Mother's Gone; The Hands That Rock The Cradle; Precious Mother; If I Could Hear My Mother Pray Again; Supper Time.

1976 Sings Pure Country Gospel (Rapture Records/SLP 1003): A Tribute To The Men With The Badge; Wasted Years; New San Antonio Rose; Why Me; I Saw The Light; The Great Speckled Bird; Please Release Me (From My Sin); He Is My Everything; Gospel Cannon Ball; The Baptism Of Jesse Taylor; Green Green Grass Of Home; I'm Headin' Home.


1977 Wally Fowler Sings A Tribute To Elvis (Dove Records International/DRLP 1000): Introduction By Wally Fowler; A Wonderful Time Up There; A New Star In Heaven; Just A Closer Walk With Thee; I Bowed On My Knees And Cried Holy; Mother Mine; When I've Learned; He's Never Been Alone; Amazing Grace; How Great Thou Art; The Chair That Rocked Us All.

???? Golden Gospel Memories Volume One (Gospel World Records/GW102): Just A Closer Walk With Thee; Peace In The Valley; My God Is Real; Beyond The Sunset (Should You Go First); Will The Circle Be Unbroken; Without Him; Time Has Made A Change; I'll Fly Away; God Walks These Hills With Me; I Know Who Holds Tomorrow; No Tears In Heaven; Life's Railway To Heaven; There's A Light Guiding Me; If I Could Help Somebody; Wasted Years; Someone To Care; Steal Away; When God Dips His Love In My Heart; The Last Mile Of The Way; Old Pappy's New Banjo; Where Could I Go; Farther Along; Brighten The Corner Where You Are; He'll Understand And Say Well Done; The Old Rugged Cross.

???? Golden Gospel Memories Volume Two (Gospel World Records/GW103): God Is Not Dead; Dry Bones; A Child Of The King; Psalms Of Victory; I Feel Like Traveling On; The Bible Tells Me So; Touch The Hand Of The Lord; Roll On Jordan; Sweeter As The Days Go By; I'm On My Way; It's Just Like Heaven; He'll Pilot Me; Jesus Is A Way Maker; Daddy Sang Bass; It Is No Secret; I Saw The Light; Where No One Stands Alone; I'll Fly Away; Without Him; Across The Bridge; I Am A Pilgrim; Seek The Lord Today; Perfect Joy; My God Is Real; Someone To Care.

Awards

GMA Hall Of Fame (1988)
SGMA Hall Of Fame (1997)

Songwriter's Résumé

(Partial List)

Beyond The River
Holy
I Bowed On My Knees And Cried Holy Jesus Is Mine
May The Lord Bless You Real Good
Nearing The Shore
The Circle Was Broken
The Day Of Wrath
This World Has Turned Me Down
Wasted Years

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