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| Mike Walker and Kermit |
He was performing in Nashville at the same time that Mickey Gilley was attending the birthday for Larry the Cable Guy. After seeing Walker’s act, Gilley asked him to come to Branson. That was in April and now Walker has a five year contract under his belt.
With a five octave singing range and 200 voices that he can impersonate, Walker is a great singing impressionist. His non-singing voices which he throws into the show here and there are very good also.
Entering the stage with guide help and sunglasses, a seemingly blind Walker starts by singing “Tell Me What I Say.” Ray Charles would be prowd, and so would Willie Nelson, as Walker takes turns between the two performers (Charles & Nelson) on the song “Seven Spanish Angels.” His Willie isn’t done yet, though, as he sings “On The Road Again,” while spontaneously throwing in little quips by some of the past presidents as well.
Walker really does Country stars well, moving from George Jones in “White Lightning” and “He Stopped Loving Her,” to Johnny Cash singing “Folsom Prison Blues,” to Larry Gatlin singing “All The Gold In California,” to Conway Twitty’s “It’s Only Make Believe” and “Lay You Down,” to Marty Robbin’s cross-over hit “El Paso.”
Favorites of the audience, and also this reporter were his Johnny Cash and his Marty Robbins. On both, the singing is extremely close to what the original (or at least what I have heard on records.)
Moving into the pop, motown and rock cultures, Walker does “The Grand Tour” by Aaron Neville (he put a patch on his forehead representing Neville’s facial mole,) James Brown’s “I Feel Good,” “My Girl” by the Temptations, “You Send Me” by Sam Cook, and “Only You” by the Platters.
He does an excellent Roy Orbison in his performance of “Crying” and obviously a crowd pleaser when he sings “Sherry” and “Walk Like a Man” by Frankie Valli of the Four Seasons.
Walker talked about songs that you hear and know the song, but are just not sure who the artist is. He performed one of those songs, “Blue Moon” by the Marcelles. Remember the meaningful lyrics — Bom, bom bom bom, bom bom, bom bom bom. Bom bom, bom bom bom. A dang, a dang dang dang A ding a dong ding, blue moon, etc.
During the song “Unchained Melody,” made popular by the Righteous Brothers, Walker moves around the audience and greets every person he can, drawing the song out as long as he can to get the job done before finishing. Speaking of getting it done, every so often during the whole show, Larry the Cable guy slips out, “Get-er-done!”
Walker talks about his dad having three favorite performers — his son, Mike, Mickey Gilley and Elvis. He then sings “That’s All That Matters” to honor Gilley, and to honor Elvis, “Hound Dog,” “Suspicious Lies,” and his favorite Elvis song, “Hurt.” To honor the veterans in the crowd, he reads a poem and sings Elvis’s Trilogy” including “Dixie,” “Hush Little Baby” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
Walker has a fine voice of his own and proves that to the audience by singing “I Am The Way,” an original song. He ends the show as himself, singing the best rendition of my favorite hymn that I have ever heard, “How Great Thou Art.”
The show was great, the singer was great, the band was great. We now have the two best singing impressionists in our town, and both are excellent. Walker covers more the country/rock ’n roll eras with a fun, upbeat sound. Bob Anderson, at Dick Clark’s ’57 Club covers the classic crooners, the Rat Pack, Tony Bennett and other Vegas entertainers in a suave, sophisticated manner.
Both are wonderful, and Branson residents and guests should experience both. I do have a favorite between, but you will have to make up your own mind. To call for tickets for Walker, call the Gilley Theatre at 417-334-3210 or 800-334-1936.
Furnished courtesy of the Branson Daily Independent.