Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Walker shooting for the stars

"Local performer new country star," could soon be a headline in the Nevada County Picayune.

This headline could well be true in the case of Brandi Walker (Karlovec).

Walker, her maiden and professional name, recently took the top spot at Colin Raye's Sixth Annual Homecoming concert in De Queen, and will be on stage at the Arkansas State Fair in Little Rock for the second leg of the Tru-Value Hardware Country Showdown Contest.

This is a national contest, and could earn Walker a trip to Nashville, Tenn. for the U.S. finals, which, in turn, could see her becoming a country music star  like Raye.

Her getting involved with the contest was almost a fluke, or could be considered fate.

Walker writes her own songs, but plays no instrument. She had finished three new ones and went to a studio in Texarkana where she records and is putting a compact disc together.

While there, one of the studio employees said she should enter the contest, as the winner would open for Raye at his "Homecoming" concert.

She sent two songs in and went about her business as wife and mother of two young girls. A few weeks ago, Walker got a letter notifying her she was in the top 10 and would be performing at Raye's concert.

All 10 finalists were on stage at Leopard Stadium in De Queen, where Raye was born, but Walker took the top spot and got to open for the country star.

Ty Herndon performed at the concert as well, with Walker getting to meet him along with Raye.

Winning this level and opening for Raye was a treat for Walker, who was told by a contest official this particular event has been a stepping stone for the last three winners. It seems the last three performers to win at Raye's "Homecoming" have also won at Little Rock and went on to Nashville for the nationals.

"This puts pressure on me to do well," she said. "We've lived in Prescott about a year and I feel it's our home. I want to do well in the contest and represent the area well."

But, pressure is something Walker is used to. She's been performing since age seven, starting at the Ashdown Jamboree, a venue she still sings at, and was in the Miss Texas pageant a couple of times.

"I'm not intimidated by the stage or audience," she said. "I grew up on stage and am used to it.

"But I'm still overwhelmed. Of all the things I've been able to do, this is the highlights of my singing career."

Walker got to meet Raye's family while at the "Homecoming" concert, along with the band and backstage employees.

Raye, she said, does what he can to be a good role model for those who may follow in his footsteps. "He wants to set a good example."

While at the concert, Walker gave both Raye a copy of her CD. She also gave a copy to one of the members of Herndon's band.

Walker has her family's support in her singing career. Her husband, Brad, a technical sales representative for Borden Chemical in Hope, goes with her and watches their two girls, Lexi, 6, and Kae Lynn, who will soon be two, while mom's on stage singing.

"My husband's excited about it," she said of the contest. "When we learned I was in the top 10, he was thrilled. We got a sitter for the girls so we could be together.

"He said if I don't take this chance and try, I'll never know."

However, the notification of being in the top 10 set up a schedule conflict for Walker, who had been working on the variety show for the 14th Annual Prescott-Nevada County Chicken and Egg Festival.

She had been getting the performers together and scheduled, and was to perform herself Friday, June 1, but couldn't. Walker did give those at the festival a thrill Saturday by singing before the Little Mister Rooster and Little Miss Henpageants.

Mary Godwin, executive director of the Chamber, told Walker not to worry about the festival and to go to the concert.

Walker grew up in New Boston, Texas, where she performed locally and was active in a number of areas.

She brought the desire to help others with her to Prescott, where she put on a Christmas concert at Hillcrest Nursing Home, is involved with the Chamber, the PTP and PTO.

Singing is what Walker does, and she will perform at local functions if asked.

"Music is my life," she said, "I don't know what I'd do if I weren't singing. I love to sing in church and be the choir director for children. I'm doing what makes me happy.

"I'd love to be in Nashville and have a career where I could support my family, but if not, I'm still a happy person for what's happened to me."

Walker may not be the only singer in the family. Daughter Lexi recently made her debut singing with mom at the Ashdown Jamboree, and also performed solo there.

"She's a natural on stage," Walker said of her daughter. "She wasn't afraid. I hope to find the right instrument for her to play, but it will be her decision."

Could there someday be a mother-daughter duo, along the lines of the Judds? Walker said the thought has occurred to her, but the decision also will be Lexi's, as she's not going to force her daughter into it.

Walker's music will soon be heard on local radio stations, but when and which ones she doesn't know.

Her music, along with a picture and biography can be found on the Internet as well. There are two websites Walker is on: www.starartist.com, and www.smartindimusic.com.

Walker isn't the only performer on these sites. Her info and music can be found by going to "artists" and looking for Brandi Walker.