Interview with Django Walker, Copperas Cove, TX, 2011

© June 2011 / Bruno Michel

Django Walker (30) is the son of famous composer and singer Jerry Jeff Walker. Like his father who wrote million-sellers such as “Mr. Bojangles”, Django got infected with the music bug at a very early stage of his life. Django and his band feel equally comfortable playing in front of a 20’000 crowd as in a small club with 100 listeners.

He is a very likeable artist who takes his time for his fans, always available for a chat or a joint picture. And even more important, he has established his career as an individual and is not just following success in the footsteps of his father. His fans love him for what he is.

Django Walker is the talk of the town, not only since Pat Green recorded Walker’s hit „Texas On My Mind“ years ago.   I had a chance to visit with him during his gig at the 2nd Texas Music Jam in Copperas Cove, TX.

Bruno Michel: Django, you wrote „The Road You Choose“ when you were 16. Was that when you got infected with the music business bug?

Django Walker: One hundred percent. I wrote it and then we went out on tour with my dad on the West Coast. We went from Portland all the way down to San Diego. Every night he would let me get on stage and play that song and I saw the impact it had on people. I decided that I wanted to write songs and get them out to people. That’s what I do ever since.

Five years later your debut album “Down The Road” was released. Pat Green recorded the last track on that album, “Texas On My Mind”. Which part in you is stronger? The singer or the songwriter?

Songwriter. I love to sing, it brings me joy and everything. But I even more like to sing stuff I’ve written. There is no musician without the song. Who would Tom Petty be if he hadn’t written Mary Jane’s Last Dance or Bruce Springsteen without Atlantic City. It’s the essence of the song that moves people, artists and audiences alike. I love that part.

Most kids of famous artists that I’ve spoken to, state that they want to establish their career without being related to their parents. What’s your take on this one?

I do agree but at the same time I love what my father does. I love his music. He’s super talented and I admire his songwriting. I am not avoiding this, I try and play with him when I can.  So for several times a year I want to be on stage with him. He’s my father, we’re in the same profession together and I want to have fun with him. But I do it sparingly enough so people don’t think I’m riding in someone’s coattails.

So you guys frequently hang out together?

Absolutely, whenever we can. He’s a great guy.

You were on your way to a professional basketball career. Would Django Walker be a sports-idol today if he hadn’t become a singer/songwriter?

No. That’s why I quit. I was a semi-pro in England. I saw the professionals play, they were so much better than me and they were not even the NBA. I do regret it from time to time but I just thought I could make a bigger impact in music. I still play basketball from time to time and it’s ok that way.

You turn 30 this year. How has the music business changed in your opinion since you started off 15 years ago?

Even down here in Texas it’s way more of a business now. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. When I started we just went out there, toured, played and had a blast. Now it’s like media blasts and marketing and strategy plans and things. Pat was the catalyst for our generation in music.

You’re talking about Pat Green. But on the other hand he lost a bunch of fans in Texas who didn’t like to see him crossing over to Nashville.

You know, I live there now. And you’re right, there’s some bad sides to it. But then there’s that whole bunch of great talented songwriters and artists, who just want to write and play great music. So I love it up there. There’s a really cool side to Nashville.

So what would it take for Django Walker to adapt to mainstream just to make it big in Nashville?

I hope nothing. I hope it crosses over just because I write good songs. Whoever records it as long as it sounds good. No genres, no drawers, it’s just great music.

Your current release is called 1st Semester, a 6-song EP. What made you follow the current trend of releasing “shorter” albums?

You know, EPs are more powerful. Sometimes you have a six ready but just not enough to do a full album. So why pick more that just don’t smack you like the others. Rather put the good ones out and if you have a bunch of other good ones six months down the road, release them on another album.

I like especially the tune “Girl Down In Texas” on this release. Tell me what inspired you to that song?

That one was written by my buddy Patrick Davis and Jack Ingram. Patrick played me that song and it just hit me. I do have someone down in Texas and she’s got blue eyes, so I relate to the song. I've selected another tune for the album, which is "Young Enough To Run", that is very powerful, too.

How would you like to be noted in music history books?

Just as a guy who made good music. That’s it.

If you would interview Django Walker, which question would you ask him that I did not ask?

Hmm, Maybe “why are you such a dork” (laughs). It’s so funny. People want to take pictures with me and I go like “Yeah”, but I don’t even know why they would want to be in a picture with me. I am just here having fun and sometimes don’t understand why I suddenly should be a celebrity.

Thank you very much for this interview.