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Toby Walker is an unique, accomplished fingerstyle guitar virtuoso. Toby is adept at blues, rags, hot country picking, and coaxes more out of a guitar than anyone can imagine, but the originality doesn't end there. He is also a skilled singer and songwriter who draws inspiration from traditional and contemporary music. Toby takes that musical foundation and creates something uniquely his own and has been eagerly received in various venues including concert halls, festivals and coffeehouses throughout the U.S., England and Europe.
Toby’s passion for blues, rag, folk, and other traditional American music drove him to leave an apartment crammed full of recordings, books and instruments for the Mississippi Delta, Virginia and the Carolinas where he tracked down some of the more obscure - but immensely talented - music makers of an earlier era. He learned directly at the feet of Eugene Powell, James "Son" Thomas, Etta Baker, and R.L Burnside, among others.
The talent, passion, and soul of a Toby Walker performance reflects these travels. Whether it is telling the humorous and heartwarming tales of other masters, talking about his inspirations, or astounding you with his mastery, his performances are a feast for the senses. The audience is moved in ways that delight them long after the encores. You can catch a taste of these stories on his Web site in the "Blues Travels" section. But make no mistake about it - he is to be experienced live. Those fortunate enough to attend one of his shows will vouch for that.
The love Toby has for his craft pushes him to share his history and experience where he has performed in libraries and schools allowing others to share the sounds, sights, and emotions of his unique abilities. His teaching credits include, among others, Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch in Ohio. In 2006, Carnegie Hall acknowledged his rare talents and hired him to augment and teach in their "American Roots" program aimed at honor level middle school students. This one-of-a-kind series demonstrates the history of blues music and traditions, while teaching the history of African Americans as they migrated from the south into the north.
His mastery of the blues was recognized in Memphis when he won the International Blues Challenge Award.
There is no doubt that Toby Walker has found his life's calling, and as a result everyone keeps calling for more Toby Walker.
Here's some pictures I took during one of my tours of England.
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Toby Walker with James 'Son' Thomas; Clarksdale, MS.
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Credits:
Awards and Endorsements
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Print
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| Alaska |
KMXT |
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| Alabama |
WDXZ |
Atmore |
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WYDH |
Almore |
| Arkansas |
WMXT |
Kodiak |
| Conneticut |
WPKN |
Bridgeport |
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WCNI |
New London |
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WVOF |
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WSHU |
Stanford |
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WKZE |
Sharon |
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WWUH |
Harford |
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WFCS |
New Briton |
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WCCC |
Hartford |
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WECS |
Willmantic |
| California |
KDVS |
Davis |
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KHSU |
Aracata |
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KMUD |
Redway |
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KSCU |
San Jose |
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KSJS |
San Jose |
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KXJZ |
Sacramento |
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KMFB |
Willits |
| Colorado |
KRFX |
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KGNU |
Boulder |
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KHEN |
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KRFC |
Fort Collins |
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KRFX |
Edgewater |
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KVNF |
Pania |
| Florida |
WUCF |
Orlando |
| Georgia |
WRFG |
Atlanta |
| Illinois |
WRMN |
Palatine |
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WBEZ |
Chicago |
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WGLT |
Normal |
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WYHY |
Rockford |
| Indiana |
WVPE |
Elkhart |
| Maine |
WMHB |
Fairfield |
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WMPG |
Portland |
| Mass |
WBCR |
Great Barrington |
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WATD |
Weymouth |
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WATD |
Raynham |
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WBOS |
Boston |
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WGBH |
Boston |
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WICN |
Worcester |
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WSMU |
North Dartmouth |
| Michigan |
WEMU |
Ypsilanti |
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WNMC |
Traverse City |
| Minnesota |
KMSU |
Mankato |
| Mississippi |
WUSM |
Hattiesburg |
| Missouri |
KRCU |
Cape Giradeau |
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KKFI |
Kansas City |
| Montana |
KBGA |
Missoula |
| Nebraska |
KIOS |
Omaha |
| New Hampshire |
WMWV |
Conway |
| New Jersey |
WFDU |
Teaneck |
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WBGO |
Newark |
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WVPH |
Piscataway |
| New York |
WUSB |
Stonybrook |
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WFDU |
Bronx |
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WBFO |
Buffalo |
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WRCN |
Medford |
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WBAI |
New York |
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WITR |
Rochester |
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WBAB |
Babylon |
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WBAU |
Garden City |
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WAER |
Syracuse |
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WRPI |
Troy |
| North Carolina |
WRQR |
Wilimington |
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WWCU |
Cullowee |
| Ohio |
WCBE |
Columbus |
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WMGG |
Columbus |
| Oklahoma |
KGOU |
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| Pennslyvania |
WXPN |
Philadelphia |
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WMUH |
Allentown |
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WLVR |
Allentown |
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WQLN |
Erie |
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WQSU |
Hughesville |
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WXLV |
Schnecksville |
| South Carolina |
WCOO |
Charleston |
| Tennessee |
WDVX |
Knoxville |
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WEVL |
Memphis |
| Texas |
KASU |
Arlington |
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KNON |
Dallas |
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KPFT |
Houston |
| Virgina |
WTJU |
Charlottesville |
| Virgin Islands |
WIUJ |
St Thomas |
| Washington |
KYNR |
Buena |
| Washington DC |
WPFW |
Washington |
| Wisconsin |
WORT |
Madison |
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WWSP |
Stevens Point |
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Television
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Performances
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- Shared The Bill With:
Richie Havens,Taj Mahal, Bo Didley, John Hammond, James Cotton, Johnny Winter, Paul Oscher, Pete Seeger, Judy Collins, Bob Margolin, Charlie Musselwhite, Hubert Sumlin, Jimmy Vaughn, Kenny Neal, Robert Lockwood Junior, Lonnie Brooks, Hans Theesink, Doc Watson, David Bromberg, Mike Dowlilng, Johnny Copeland, Bobby Radcliff, Savoy Brown, Sonny Landreth, John Sebastion, Chuck Brodsky, Chris Smithers, Cliff Eberhardt, Eric Bibb, Roy Bookbinder, Christine Lavin, Cheryle Wheeler, Jack Williams, Pat Wictor, The Kennedys, Rich Furay, G.E. Smith, Corey Harris, Tracy Grammer, Laura Love, Duke Robillard, The Kingston Trio and J.J. Cale.
- Festivals, Notable Clubs and Concerts
- The Bottom Line, NYC, NY
- Philadelphia Folk Festival, PA
- Bethlehem Music Festival, PA
- Rams Head Inn, MD
- Cafe Lena, Saratoga NY
- Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club, NJ
- Amazing Things Art Center, MA
- Down East Folk Arts Society NC
- Ontairo Center for the Performing Arts
- Sounds of the World Concert Series, CT
- Steel City Coffeehouse, PA
- Fur Peace Ranch, OH
- Merkin Hall NYC
- Sellersvile Theater, PA
- The Turning Point, Piermont NY
- Godfrey Daniels, PA
- The Towne Crier, NY
- West Side Cafe, MD
- The Bottleneck Blues Club, England
- Crossroads Cafe, Belgium
- Beauvai Blues Festival, France
- Burnett's Hill Chapel, Wales
- Amsterdam Folk Club, Holland
- Apple Blues Festival, England
- Tring Blues Festival, England
- Darlington Arts Center PA
- The Minstrel Coffeehouse, NJ
- Bound For Glory Radio Show, NY
- Hillside Cafe, NJ
- Joe's Pub, NYC, NY
- Folk City, NYC, NY
- Makor, NYC, NY
- Watercolor Cafe, NY
- Outpost in the Burbs, Montclair NJ
- B.B. Kings, Manhattan NY
- Lansdowne Folk Society, PA
- Cornell Folk Music Society, Albany, NY
- Bucks County Blues Festival 'PA
- Riverhead Blues Festival NY
- Otterton Mill - England
- Bridgewater Arts Center - England
- Sacadaga Valley Coffee House, NY
- Dorcchester Arts Center - England
- The Harborside Club - Liverpool, England
- The Musician, Leister, England
- South Street Arts Center, Reading, England
- The New Crawdaddy Blues Club, Billericay, England
- Syracuse NYS Rhythm & Blues Festival Syarcuse NY
- Split Level Concert Series, Scotch Plains NJ
- Warwick Blues Festival, Warwick NY
- Long Beach Jazz and Heritage Festival, Long Beach NY
- Huntington Folk Music Society's Main Concert Series NY
- Dogwood Blues Festival, Atlanta GA
- Long Island's 1st Annual Blues Festival
- Wedgestock Blues and Folk Festival NY
- Old Time Fiddle Festival, NY
- Stony Brook Fiddle Festival, NY
- Port Jefferson Maritime Festival, 'NY
- Hallockville Fall Festival, NY
- Our Times Coffeehouse Blues Festival
- Columbus Traditional Blues Festival - OH
- W.C. Handy Awards Blues Festival - Memphis TN
- Blues 2002, Ellenville NY
- Riverhead Agricultural Festival
- Howlin' Wolf Tribute Concert - Memphis TN
- Cedar Beach Blues Festival NY
- Mount Sinai Acoustic Blues Festival
- New Daisy Theater, Memphis, TN
- W.C. Handy Hall, Memphis, TN
- Gibson Guitar Lounge, Memphis, TN
- The Peabody Hotel, Memphis, TN
- Intermedia Arts Centre, Huntington
- Cinema Arts Centre, Huntington
- Harry Chapin Rainbow Stage
- Red Cedar Sound Stage
- Jane's Song Box
- Speakeasy, NYC
- Hecsher Park Concert Series
- Manhattan Folk Music Society
- Long Island Folk & Blues Holiday Revue
- Sam Ash Guitar Clinic Series
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- Outpost in the Burbs, Montclair NJ
- B.B. Kings, Manhattan NY
- Lansdowne Folk Society, PA
- Cornell Folk Music Society, Albany, NY
- Bucks County Blues Festival 'PA
- Riverhead Blues Festival NY
- Otterton Mill - England
- Bridgewater Arts Center - England
- Sacadaga Valley Coffee House, NY
- Dorcchester Arts Center - England
- The Harborside Club - Liverpool, England
- The Musician, Leister, England
- South Street Arts Center, Reading, England
- The New Crawdaddy Blues Club, Billericay, England
- Syracuse NYS Rhythm & Blues Festival Syarcuse NY
- Split Level Concert Series, Scotch Plains NJ
- Warwick Blues Festival, Warwick NY
- Long Beach Jazz and Heritage Festival, Long Beach NY
- Huntington Folk Music Society's Main Concert Series NY
- Dogwood Blues Festival, Atlanta GA
- Long Island's 1st Annual Blues Festival
- Wedgestock Blues and Folk Festival NY
- Old Time Fiddle Festival, NY
- Stony Brook Fiddle Festival, NY
- Port Jefferson Maritime Festival, 'NY
- Hallockville Fall Festival, NY
- Our Times Coffeehouse Blues Festival
- Columbus Traditional Blues Festival - OH
- W.C. Handy Awards Blues Festival - Memphis TN
- Blues 2002, Ellenville NY
- Riverhead Agricultural Festival
- Howlin' Wolf Tribute Concert - Memphis TN
- Cedar Beach Blues Festival NY
- Mount Sinai Acoustic Blues Festival
- New Daisy Theater, Memphis, TN
- W.C. Handy Hall, Memphis, TN
- Gibson Guitar Lounge, Memphis, TN
- The Peabody Hotel, Memphis, TN
- Intermedia Arts Centre, Huntington
- Cinema Arts Centre, Huntington
- Harry Chapin Rainbow Stage
- Red Cedar Sound Stage
- Jane's Song Box
- Speakeasy, NYC
- Hecsher Park Concert Series
- Manhattan Folk Music Society
- Long Island Folk & Blues Holiday Revue
- Sam Ash Guitar Clinic Series
Teaching Credits
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