Meet the 27-year-old hoping to make dream of becoming a country singer a reality after turning his life around
Meet the 27-year-old hoping to make his dream of becoming a well-established country singer a reality after turning his life around.
Harry Walker, from Moulton, has loved music since he was a child and was inspired by his late pap who played the piano and performed at the village working men's club.
“He used to try and get me to play and sing along,” Harry told the Chronicle & Echo. “I wish I did now. The day we lost him in 2013, I was watching the music channels on the tv and one song changed my opinion on country music altogether.
“It wasn’t a very big genre over here then and I got a lot of stick in school for liking it, but I didn’t care. It helped me through everything and the loss of my grandfather. It was an escape.”
The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville is the end goal for Harry, who currently works as a plasterer in the building trade. His aim is to travel the world and get his music heard by the masses.
It was not until December 2024 when Harry acted on his love of country music, having been gifted recording studio sessions for Christmas by his girlfriend and brother.
“I’d always had the passion but not done anything about it,” said Harry. “I had no confidence and this threw me in at the deep end. I did one session in Northampton and one in Nashville, and my two covers gained traction after I released them.”
Harry also enjoys writing his own music, which began at around the age of 16, and he has now released five of his original songs in addition to the two covers.
The 27-year-old crossed paths with a session drummer from Nashville at a gig in Northampton in November last year, and Harry messaged him afterwards to chat further about music.
The session drummer praised his voice and expressed he would like to write and record songs with him in Nashville, which is now Harry’s goal. As well as working hard to build the funds to make this a reality, he has launched a fundraising campaign for the community to show their support.
Harry is hosting a gig on June 13 at Kingsley Park Working Men’s Club and tickets are £10 per person. The money raised will go towards the cost of travelling to and staying in Nashville, and recording the songs which is £5,900 on its own.
“I want to earn it,” said Harry. “It will be a good night of original country music and covers in a friendly environment. I want to entertain and prove myself.
“It’s a confidence thing and I never thought I’d get myself to this situation. Back in 2022, I was really overweight and was diagnosed with diabetes. I was told if I didn’t do anything, I wouldn’t be around much longer. It was a do or die moment.
“I turned my life around, lost a lot of weight and that brought me out of my shell and comfort zone. It spurred me on, and it’s a big part of my life and the reason I’m here.”
When Harry lost nine stone, he reversed his diabetes and this shocked doctors as they had never seen it done so quickly before.