Cindy and Jim Walker pose for a photo with Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook, center, an alumnus of Wallace State College and former performer in Walker’s Wallace State Singers. Walker was invited by the Country Music Association Foundation’s Music Teachers of Excellence event hosted by Little Town.
HANCEVILLE – Dr. Jim Walker, the first director of music programs at Wallace State Community College was honored recently by the Country Music Association (CMA) Foundation at its CMA Music Teachers of Excellence ceremony, hosted by Little Big Town.
Jimi Westbrook, an alumnus of Wallace State, is a member of the award-winning music group with roots in Alabama. Walker was a surprise guest for the artist, chosen by Westbrook’s sister because of the influence Walker had on him during his years in the music program.
Walker said about 500 people attended the event, with more than 30 music educators honored with grants from the CMA Foundation. “Over the last several years, the CMA Foundation has contributed $17.5 million to music teachers, primarily elementary and high school teachers,” Walker said.
Walker’s appearance, along with three other teachers who influenced the band members, was organized as a surprise for the band members. “They did not know we were there,” Walker said. “Jimi’s family was responsible for me being there.
“It was really quite an honor,” Walker said of his being asked to attend the event.
Walker and his wife, Cindy, dined with Westbrook and the other Little Big Town members during the event.
“These are the music teachers that shaped and changed our lives,” the band wrote on their Facebook page after the event.
Westbrook attended Wallace State from 1990-1992, and was recruited by Walker after the music director at Westbrook’s church told Walker about him. From Wallace State, Walker said Westbrook went to Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee.
“I kind of lost track of him for four or five years…and then all of a sudden, Little Big Town was formed,” Walker said. “Karen (Fairchild) and Kimberly (Schlapman) were students at Samford, of course — that was my alma mater.” Phillip Sweet is the band’s fourth member.
Asked to provide a comment about Westbrook, Walker said, “Jimi, from the very beginning, had not only the voice, but he had a stage presence about him and an ability to communicate. It didn’t matter whether it was here, in concert choir or singers, or if it was in church choir – he sang in my church choir at St. John’s – it didn’t matter what venue it was, he had that unique ability to communicate.”
“It’s such a thrill to see your students succeed,” Walker added. “I’ve got a former student who’s a music director at a church in Nashville who came by the house this weekend. It’s such a thrill to see these students excel in their careers.”
Wallace State Community College’s Fine and Performing Arts program offers music and voice performance opportunities, as well and drama, and visual arts. A Fine and Performing Arts Academy is offered to area high school students through the Fast Track Academy. For more information about Wallace State Community College, visit www.wallacestate.edu or call 256-352-8000.
