Biography

Country songwriter. Born December 13, 1925. Died January 2, 1979. Full name: Wayne Paul Walker. Successful songwriter, career most active during the 1950s-1960s. His songwriting credits include “Holiday for Love” (recorded by Webb Pierce, 1957), “Burning Memories” (recorded by Ray Price, 1964; Mel Tillis, 1977), and “Leavin’ On Your Mind” (recorded by Patsy Cline, 1963). Member, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Interview Summary

1975 November 19
(1 hour, 3 minutes)
Wayne Walker discusses his songwriting career. Discussion includes being inspired to write music at the Louisiana Hayride; meeting country music artists at the Louisiana Hayride; the first song he wrote, “If Crying Would Make You Care”; working for Cedarwood, a Nashville music publishing company, screening songs from other writers; his songwriting methods; how he approaches writing a song with a partner; where he gets ideas for songs; his favorite songwriters, Danny Dill and Marty Robbins; and his favorite self-written song, “It’s My Way.”