John Wallace "Wally" Fowler (February 15, 1917–June 3, 1994)
Biography
Wally Fowler began his career as a professional gospel singer in 1935 at the age of 18. He sang baritone with the John Daniel Quartet.
He founded The Georgia Clodhoppers to sing country music in 1943. The group was renamed the Oak Ridge Quartet after they were routinely scheduled to entertain workers at the Manhattan Project compound in Oak Ridge, Tennessee during World War Two. Fowler started a total of four versions of the Oak Ridge Quartet and was associated with the group name into the 1960s. A lawsuit filed by the third version of the group ultimately forced Fowler to relinquish the name in the mid-1960s.
In 1948, Fowler launched a popular series of "All-Nite Sings" from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, home of the famous Grand Ole Opry. He would later take the show on the road across the Southern United States. During the 1950s in addition to promoting his concerts, Fowler hosted a television show called The Wally Fowler Show.
Fowler was also a songwriter who had songs recorded by several Country and Gospel artists. He published some songs using "Bea Packer" as a pseudonymn.
Fowler was 77 years old when he died in 1994. He fell (possibly due to a heart attack) while fishing from a dock and drowned.
Solo Discography
Also see Wally Fowler And The Oak Ridge Quartet
Awards
GMA Hall Of Fame (1988)
SGMA Hall Of Fame (1997)
Songwriter's Résumé
(Partial List)
Beyond The River
Jesus Is Mine
May The Lord Bless You Real Good
Nearing The Shore
The Day Of Wrath
This World Has Turned Me Down
Wasted Years
