Wilson’s CD travels on Walker Road
Local singer-songwriter Buddy Wilson stands near the sing for Walker Road, the namesake of his new 10-song album. (Photo provided)
Local singer-songwriter Buddy Wilson, right, sits with Roger Hoover, owner of Sweetsong Productions, where Wilson’s new album “Walker Road” was produced. (Photo provided)
Local singer-songwriter Buddy Wilson stands near the sing for Walker Road, the namesake of his new 10-song album. (Photo provided)
Local singer-songwriter Buddy Wilson, right, sits with Roger Hoover, owner of Sweetsong Productions, where Wilson’s new album “Walker Road” was produced. (Photo provided)
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PARKERSBURG - The rural community of Walker in Wood County is close to Buddy Wilson's heart.
The Parkersburg-based singer-songwriter grew up in Walker and plays music there. His newly released CD of 10 songs is appropriately titled "Walker Road." The CD's namesake meanders through eastern Wood County and can be reached by West Virginia 47 and U.S. 50.
In the title song, Wilson writes: "On Walker Road there's not a place my footsteps haven't touched. From one end to the other I've walked it so much. Now I get lost in memories and I still take it slow, every time that I drive up Walker Road."
"Walker Road is always on my mind," Wilson said in an interview. "I love Walker. I wanted to give something back to the community through a song."
This is Wilson's third CD. The others are "Save These Mountains For Me" in 1999 and "Big Time" in 2022.
Wilson plays Americana music in the tradition of his favorite singer/songwriter John Prine. His other musical influences are Ozark Mountain Daredevils and Goose Creek Symphony.
Wilson's musical style also carries a country/folk flavor.
Wilson has performed at election campaigns, clubs and honky-tonks in the Mid-Ohio Valley and beyond for 40 years.
After moving to Hendersonville, Tenn., in 2002, Wilson said he was employed by Al Bunetta, co-founder of Oh Boy Records and John Prine's manager. Wilson played at open mic venues in Nashville, including the famous Bluebird Café. He moved back to Wood County in 2012.
Wilson wrote all 10 songs on his new CD, which was produced by Sweetsong Productions of Wood County. Acclaimed country songwriter Arlos Smith of Vienna sang backup vocals on several songs for "Walker Road." Lauren Null sang backup vocals for Wilson's song "Hometown Crowd."
"I want to thank all the musicians and backup vocal singers" for their help on this CD, Wilson said.
Wilson will be performing songs from his new CD from 4-5 p.m. Saturday at the Progress Ridge Community Building during the Progress Ridge Ice Cream and Music Festival.
"Walker Road" is available at Crossroads General Store at Walker, First City Records in Marietta and Sandy's River City Perk in Lubeck. Wilson can be contacted at bw899644@gmail.com.