Billy Joe Walker Jr.

Billy Joe Walker Jr. (born February 29, 1952, Midland, Texas, USA – died July 25, 2017, Nashville, Tennessee, USA) was an American guitarist, mandolinist, songwriter, and record producer.

He taught himself to play guitar and read music at an early age. He left home at 14, gaining experience in lounge bands and country joints in Oklahoma City before moving to Los Angeles. There he worked as a session player for artists such as Glen Campbell, Merle Haggard and The Beach Boys, as well as for Beatles producer George Martin. He also performed on TV and movie soundtracks featuring Clint Eastwood (2) and Burt Reynolds.

At the urging of legendary producer Jimmy Bowen, Walker moved to Nashville and began playing on the albums of country artists including Ray Charles, Hank Williams Jr., Randy Travis and the Dixie Chicks. After contributing his skills to literally hundreds of sessions, Walker recorded his own albums, which led to producing.