Another East Texas radio and sales legend passes away. I had an opportunity to work with Matt Walker back in 1994 at KZEY's FM sister station in Marshall, TX until he left less than a month before I was fired by "that tyrant Jerry Russell." But in all seriousness, he was the man that lit up the sounds at 690 kilohertz. Here's his obit courtesy of Tyler Morning Telegraph:
The sun rose for Matthew Walker Jr. known by many as "Matt Walker" on Oct. 19, 1941, in Malvern, Ark. Matthew was the second of three children, born to Addie Lee McAdoo (Hunter), and the first of two children born to Matthew Walker Sr.
Matt graduated from Malvern High School, and moved to Los Angeles. Calif., in 1961. He attended West L.A. Junior College from 1965 to 1967, graduated from Career Academy (Los Angeles) in 1969, and graduated from Don Martin School of Broadcasting (Los Angeles) in 1971. After completing his education, Matt was offered employment as a Disc Jockey for Tyler Broadcasting-KROZ/KZEY in Tyler. He accepted this position and moved to Tyler where he began to make a name for himself.
[EDIT]
In February of 2007, John Tyler students Kiera Wade and George Mitchell interviewed Matt for their school's Black History Month edition of the newspaper. Here are excerpts from the article:
"Mr. Matt Walker was the first Black to do television and radio advertising sales here in Tyler and the first to have a Black television show in Tyler. To many Tyler residents, Matt Walker was "Mr. KZEY!!!"
Mr. Walker said that his inspiration came from James Brown when he came out with the song, "I'm Black and I'm Proud." His personal mission in life has been to instill in Blacks that "Black was Beautiful" and that if "Blacks believe in themselves they can do anything!!!" When he came to Tyler in the 70's there was division and so he set up meetings with different people of the community as a mediator to bring unity. Indeed Matt Walker is a walking encyclopedia of Black History & Black Pride, ready to share with any and all who desire to listen and learn. 'He lives by 'The Three D's to Success,' which are Decisiveness, Direction and Dedication. "You have to be dedicated to your decision and direction and you won't fail."
[EDIT]
Services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at North Star Baptist Church with the Rev. James E. Curtis officiating.
Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park under direction of John R. Harmon Undertaking Co., Tyler. Visitation will be 1-10 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Sinclair Vincent Walker Scholarship Fund at any Austin Bank location or to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, 75701, in loving memory of Matthew "Matt" Walker.
Published in the Tyler Morning Telegraph on 12/2/2007.
Thanks for the memories, Matt.
http://obituaries.tylerpaper.com/TylerPaper/Obituaries.asp
[EDIT-post truncated because originating material is copyrighted. URL provided by Radio-Info as a courtesy to other users]
The sun rose for Matthew Walker Jr. known by many as "Matt Walker" on Oct. 19, 1941, in Malvern, Ark. Matthew was the second of three children, born to Addie Lee McAdoo (Hunter), and the first of two children born to Matthew Walker Sr.
Matt graduated from Malvern High School, and moved to Los Angeles. Calif., in 1961. He attended West L.A. Junior College from 1965 to 1967, graduated from Career Academy (Los Angeles) in 1969, and graduated from Don Martin School of Broadcasting (Los Angeles) in 1971. After completing his education, Matt was offered employment as a Disc Jockey for Tyler Broadcasting-KROZ/KZEY in Tyler. He accepted this position and moved to Tyler where he began to make a name for himself.
[EDIT]
In February of 2007, John Tyler students Kiera Wade and George Mitchell interviewed Matt for their school's Black History Month edition of the newspaper. Here are excerpts from the article:
"Mr. Matt Walker was the first Black to do television and radio advertising sales here in Tyler and the first to have a Black television show in Tyler. To many Tyler residents, Matt Walker was "Mr. KZEY!!!"
Mr. Walker said that his inspiration came from James Brown when he came out with the song, "I'm Black and I'm Proud." His personal mission in life has been to instill in Blacks that "Black was Beautiful" and that if "Blacks believe in themselves they can do anything!!!" When he came to Tyler in the 70's there was division and so he set up meetings with different people of the community as a mediator to bring unity. Indeed Matt Walker is a walking encyclopedia of Black History & Black Pride, ready to share with any and all who desire to listen and learn. 'He lives by 'The Three D's to Success,' which are Decisiveness, Direction and Dedication. "You have to be dedicated to your decision and direction and you won't fail."
[EDIT]
Services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday at North Star Baptist Church with the Rev. James E. Curtis officiating.
Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park under direction of John R. Harmon Undertaking Co., Tyler. Visitation will be 1-10 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Sinclair Vincent Walker Scholarship Fund at any Austin Bank location or to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, 75701, in loving memory of Matthew "Matt" Walker.
Published in the Tyler Morning Telegraph on 12/2/2007.
Thanks for the memories, Matt.
http://obituaries.tylerpaper.com/TylerPaper/Obituaries.asp
[EDIT-post truncated because originating material is copyrighted. URL provided by Radio-Info as a courtesy to other users]