Country Mike Blog

Walker, Texas Traditionalist

Mike Sudhalter  |  June 18, 2007

I've never felt a bigger sense of relief than when I heard "'Fore She Was Mama" come on the radio airwaves. Not because it's the song of the year. I was just glad to see Clayboy back. You see, I once read that Clayboy was the nickname bestowed on Clay Walker by his grandmother.

You see, when I started listening to country music in the spring of 1996, I listened to Walker just as much as George Strait. I truly think he's one of the most underappreciated artists in country music and wish him the best in the future.

The first Walker album I bought was "Hypnotize The Moon" and the title track brought tears to my eyes. I laughed out loud at "Only On Days That End in 'Y'" and even used the phrase in daily conversation. Then, I went back and bought a couple of his earlier albums, loving songs like "This Woman and This Man" and "If I Could Make A Living".

Walker has such a distinct voice, and you just get the vibe that he's as country as they come. Later in his career, he tried rockin' it up a little bit, and I thought he was OK at that too.

There were so many more Walker memories over the years. I remember listening to an interview where he said "What's It To You" is the song that gets him revved up on stage. And who didn't think "The Chain of Love" wasn't the ultimate tearjerker?

Well, the ultimate Walker song, in my mind, is "Live Until I Die". While I don't claim to "live" many of the songs that I listen to, this is one of them that I firmly believe in. The fiddle intro is simply amazing. And the song is about being a simple person and staying close to your roots. Too many folks spent a lot of time "worrying about things they can't change". I'd rather enjoy life with my loved ones. Another Walker song I like is "Dreamin' With My Eyes Wide Open", and I see it almost as a melodic cousin to "Live Until I Die". "Dreamin'" has a good message to it as well.