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Johnny Walker originates from the southwest where he graduated with honors in music
and architecture. At seventeen he moved to Dallas to pursue his passion for music. Walker immediately began working with a regional band named, Showdown, touring year round across the Unites States as the opening band for recording artists such as Sylvia, George Straight, and Asleep at the Wheel. Around that time Walker’s passion for sound design began to develop, and after a brief stay in Nashville, TN, Walker moved to New York and became submersed in the live music scene.
Walker Spent four seasons with the media Services Team at Ralph Lauren, scouting and designing music for runway shows. He’s studied music with the French Conservatory at Carnegie Hall and has laid violin tracks on numerous albums for other artists.
His passion for sound soon spread to the theater, where lighting became an intrical aspect of work. Walker had the fortunate luck to study with legendary Matt Berman, and that’s when things took off. Walker began designing sound in theaters, live music venues, and cabaret clubs throughout the city. As an audiovisual technician, his talent for stage dynamics earned him a MAC Award nominee for Lighting Designer several years in a row.
For the next twelve years, Walker traveled extensively and branched out even more, designing sound for Television and Theater Professionals like Mario Cantone, (Carolines on Broadway) Jimmy James (Live at the Toronto Convention Center) Carole King (John Kerry Presidential Fundraiser Tour) Larry Gatlin, Bebe Neuworth, and Bea Arthur (50 year Tribute to Sy Coleman) Chris Isaac (Dateline NBC Television Segment 2003). Next came a series of Stage and Sound design live recordings for Richard Belzer and the Belzonics , (Carolines on Broadway) Kaye Ballard (Live at Arci's) Lillias White (From Brooklyn to Broadway). His reputation for diligence with movie crews became known in the industry and Walker was requested to perform the audiovisual duties for Dave Chapelle (Pre series test pilot filming’s) and Comedy Central’s Crank Yankers (Pilot Premiere Screening) Walker then teamed up with ‘not-for profits’ and began to oversee theatrical benefits for BCEFA (Cast of Rent Variety Fundraiser) and The Children’s Hearing Institute (Annual Dinner Theatre Headliner Benefit (x 4)
Next he began overseeing the audiovisual aspects of live Corporate Presentations for the Andy Awards (New York National Award Ceremony For The Advertising Club (x 2) Lifetime Television for Women (Town Hall Meeting - New Pilot Series Premiers) Ogilvy & Mather (Outstanding Television Commercial Awards) Miramax Films (Oscar Awards with live NY commercial break presentations (x 2) PFLAG (Award Ceremony With Sharon Gless, Washington DC)
Then he began working with film crews, including NBC (Last Comic Standing original pilot with host Jay Mohr) and the Today Show (Dream Jobs - Multiple Locations, Starring Katie Curic and featuring Tony Bennet / Aired May 1999)
Walker maintains his most memorable experiences are learning reverb from Liza Minelli, sitting on the floor in Denise Richards’ home while Natalie Cole sang an accapella version of “Unforgettable”, and chatting with legendary actress Marj Dusay while repairing the sound system at her home in New York.
Musically, Walker has written songs for himself and others for twenty five years, including a CD he produced in the late eighties titles “Shoes”, housed nationally in Sound Warehouse, HMV, and Tower, for which he received two songwriting citations from Billboard Magazine. He wrote an entertainment column for a global trade called The Danish Pioneer, and his short story contributions have been published in other books, such as Nightmare Gigs From Hell.
Having worked in entertainment for over three decades, Johnny has brought his stage experience to the screen in a story that is adventurous, humorous, thrilling, and above all else, engaging. His passion for giving a voice to those never heard is a testament to the heart of EKKO, be it fantasy or not.
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