Walt grew up mainly in the East St Louis, Illinois area.
His professional influences ranged from Frankie Yackovich, B.B. King, Ernest Tubb, Debussey and Earl Phelps. Walt even got to play with the great St. Louis Bluesman, " Moon Mullins ". Like most music families Walt's roots go way back. He is second cousins to Bill Johnson
and Sandy Dautrey ( " The Kentucky Two " ) who worked with and recorded with Grand Ole' Opry greats " Alonzo and Oscar".
Also a distant relation on his Grandfathers side to the Phelps Brothers who founded " The Kentucky Headhunters ". Walt was
working with bands twice his age when he was eleven. At age 15 He fronted a band ( The Mist ) from Sorento, Illinois
that opened the show at the Illinois State Fair for Paul Revere & the Raiders and Bob Hope.
In the time since those years he has traveled both directions of the globe. Walt
is a decorated Viet Nam Veteran and served as Sr. R.T.O. with the 4th Infantry Division S-2. Prior to his tour in
Viet Nam Walt served in Germany with the 3rd Armour Division as an R.T.O. Being a single man at the time Walt was able to
use his free time to take in the musical influences of that country as well. After Viet Nam Walt was assigned to Ft. Bragg
and the 18th Airborne Corps. He is also a Life Member of " Disabled Veterans of America.
Following his Military Service Walt relocated to Florida.
At that time the Panhandle was one of the hottest music areas in the nation.
Walt soon realized that in the future a musician was going to have to be educated to make it. Walt has earned degrees from
Gulf Coast Community College, University of West Florida, Florida A&M and RHEMA Bible School. Up until recently Walt was
the Director of Music at a local church, and studied Studio engineering under Peter Miller, who was the lead engineer for
the Beatles , Rolling Stones and numerous others.
Walt also expanded his expertise to Concert Promotions. He worked
extensively with " Country Music Showdown, Inc. " from 1984 to 1992 developing venues, planning and promotion
of major concert events through out Alabama, Georgia and Florida. This also included " Battle of the Bands " showcases. The
last of these was a event with George Jones and Conway Twitty which was a major success.
In a recent interview Walt is quoted as saying
" The I.R.S. stopped counting at just over 22,000 people that day, and best of
all we were able to collect a semi load of toys and food for the Salvation Army Christmas Drive ".
Also, although little noted, some 250 tickets were given to State of Florida
Employees and their families in appreciation of thier service.
Turtle Pond Music came about when Walt kept being approached by people starting
out in the business who needed honest direction with thier career goals. People would come to Walt asking for help with
song writing and publishing. Walt qualified with B.M.I. Nashville as a Publisher.
Walt then became Shocked at the rising high cost of studio recording,
and he knew it could be done right and at a price people could afford, so he built a studio, and launched a management
& consulting company along with a Label
Walt still serves as a consultant to other labels and publishers and has
even managed artist who charted on the Music Row Charts as well as recognized I-Music Charts of today. It
is not uncommon for labels, artist and publishers to send thier music to Walt for his written reviews and input.
In March 2002, Governor Paul E. Patton of the State
of Kentucky bestowed the covenant commission of " Kentucky Colonel " on Walt. An honor he is humbled by.
.
Walt Looks at todays Music Scene this way:
" Today more then ever you need to know what you are doing and you need
people working with you who have taken the time to train and educate themselves for the challenges of this industry. The days
of handshake deals and poor mans copyrights have ended. You also need someone in the studio who is versed and keeps up with
not just current trends, but also, will help you stay a step or two ahead. Also, people who will not look at you as a dollar
sign, but as a person and a friend. "
When not working, which is seldom, Walt enjoys his horses. He has
also been involved with horse rescue. Pictured on this page is his Arabian named " Chance ". Walt's favorite though
is a retired Kentucky thoroughbred race horsethat Walt just calls " Hoot "
Some of the horses Walt has had have been donated to good causes.
