BLUEGRASS SINGER BRADLEY WALKER
NAMED MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR

TUCSON, Oct. 11, 2007 – Bradley Walker isn’t your typical bluegrass singer. But that didn’t keep him from rolling off with Male Vocalist of the Year honors at the 18th annual International Bluegrass Music Association awards show at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House on Oct. 4.

Walker performs on the Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.

When performing, Walker doesn’t play an instrument — uncommon in the bluegrass world — and he sings sitting down. Diagnosed with a neuromuscular disease as a young boy, the 29-year-old native of Athens, Ala., works from a wheelchair.

Known for his resonant baritone and hailed as the “next great voice of bluegrass music” by Bluegrass Unlimited magazine, Walker is riding a wave of acclaim after the release of his debut album, “Highway of Dreams.” Produced by Grammy award-winning Carl Jackson and backed by Rounder Records, the album showcases Walker’s blend of traditional country and pure bluegrass, and features guest support from country stars including Vince Gill, Rhonda Vincent and Alecia Nugent.

When he was 8 years old, Walker received a diagnosis of nemaline myopathy, a neuromuscular disease that causes weakness and poor tone in the muscles of the face, neck and upper limbs. The disease often affects the respiratory muscles as well. Walker uses a power wheelchair and drives an adapted van for mobility.

“I love to hear Bradley sing,” enthused MDA National Chairman Jerry Lewis, who hosted Walker on the MDA Telethon several times, including this year. “This award is further proof not only of Bradley's talent, but that disability is no barrier to creativity.”

Walker’s trek not only to stardom but to involvement with the Muscular Dystrophy Association began when his parents took him to a local Oak Ridge Boys concert at the age of 3, where he impressed the quartet with his rendition of “Elvira” backstage. At 10, he performed the song with the group, appearing with them the following year on the national cable show “Nashville Now.” This led to Walker’s first Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon appearance with the Oak Ridge Boys in 1989.

For more information about Bradley Walker visit his Web site at www.bradleywalker.com.