BIO
The Story So Far...
BIO
JD Walker’s path into music was one that most never overcome. To say his life and music is anything but a miracle is a vast understatement. You could call him the man, the myth, and perhaps later a legend. Clearly God was with him every step of the way. It all began in Missouri where he was born and raised, the youngest of 3 brothers. There was no doubt music was part of his DNA. He started writing songs in high school and when he was 18, wrote his very first song with the help of his uncle. JD dreamed of becoming a professional songwriter making a living in music and getting to perform on The Grand Ole Opry stage.
JD’s world was about to forever change. The following summer after graduating high school It was just before the 4th of July. He was traveling with his childhood best friend down a country road near Warsaw, MO by his family's lake cabin, when his best friend was shot while driving the truck, they were in. The truck accelerated rapidly and started to veer off the road. JD yelled for his friend to turn the wheel before they went off into a ravine, he grabbed for the wheel, but it was too late, the truck slammed into a tree head on at 60 mph. Through broken glass, twisted metal, sparks flying and the smell of gas, JD went to open the door, but it was jammed, and he was injured. He remembers praying while pushing on the door and after a few attempts he was able to open it just enough to squeeze out. He stumbled over to the driver’s side and opened the door; his friend was unconscious. In fear the truck was going to ignite in flames, he made the decision to pull him out, dragging him far enough away to safety. CPR attempts to revive his friend were unsuccessful, and he died in his arms. Later it was learned that his friend had been shot in the back of the head. JD had to relive this day over and over while investigators put the case together. He ended up testifying for trial and a man was eventually convicted of 2nd degree murder. He served 10 years and was released. He ultimately ended up suffering a heart attack that ended his life.
JD tried to get his life back on track and attended Aeronautical school for Aviation Maintenance. 4 years after his best friend died, JD would meet Tina, the woman he fell deeply in love with. After 4 years of being together they were married. However, his time of happiness would prove short as 7 weeks into their new lives together Tina would be diagnosed with a very rare form of cancer. Both of them in shock, JD would be by her side for the next 7 months while she fought hard, but she ended up succumbed to the disease.
10 months later while dealing with the loss of his wife and trying to find a way to go on without her, JD lost his oldest brother to suicide. He had a strong faith thanks to being brought up in a Christian home, but he could feel it slipping. Hurt and angry he battled through some dark times, questioning God and why he had allowed all these things to happen to him. But God was faithful and led him back to his plan and purpose. Instead of allowing people to discourage him and leave him feeling sorry for himself he took the pain and channeled it into his music and songwriting and also learned the martial arts of Aikido/Jujitsu. His faith grew stronger, he and his parents grew closer becoming his 2 best friends. Grateful more than ever he knows that God is going to use him powerfully to accomplish his great purposes in his life and wants nothing more than to share that message with the world.
JD began working behind the scenes as a certified celebrity, executive and dignitary protection security at concerts. Several years he worked as a professional handler (bodyguard) for some major recording artists. When they found out he was a songwriter they invited him to Nashville. Once he got a taste for the business, recording and watching new life come to his songs he was hooked. He planned to move to Nashville in 2005 however a severe injury to his ankle caused him to split time between Nashville and Missouri for 3 years. In 2008 he finally relocated to Music City and had the opportunity to write with some major hit songwriters. A powerful artist manager ended up hiring him which resulted in many doors opening for him in the industry. However, things again would take a complete 180 when he began to work for FedEx Ground.
He drove a truck pulling double trailers with his Boxer "Tripp" by his side. February 2016 he was in a serious accident while driving for FedEx. An Illinois state plow pushed snow and ice off an overpass as he was passing underneath and it went through the windshield of his truck. The impact snapped his head back into the seat causing serious injury to his neck. In April of 2016 he had surgery on his neck that left him on 4 months of vocal rest with the possibility that he would never sing again. Thankfully his first EP was already recorded. With many prayers his voice made a full recovery.
"I feel very blessed for all I've been through. We all have to make sacrifices for what we want. For me, it's not about money or fame but reaching and touching people. If my story or one of my songs can help just 1 person then that song has done its job. I get a lot of satisfaction when someone tells me my song helped them. Even more joy when someone says my story helped lead them to Jesus.” That's what it's about, winning souls for God's Kingdom.
Things seemed to be finally looking up. In January 2017, he bought his first house in Hendersonville, TN. A second neck surgery would result in serious complications due to a blood clot which nearly killed him. JD believes that he is still here for a reason. After spending some time in ICU, he was left with permanent nerve damage and a permanent disability.
Through it all he felt like God was pushing him to Christian music, so he recorded a couple songs, but they were put on hold when his dad died suddenly in February of 2018. This hit him extremely hard as they were very close. JD was forced to retire early from driving a truck. In October of 2018 after some financial difficulty and with the help of some friends he started Walker Media Group. He obtained his FAA certification to operate Drones. H had the opportunity to work on 3 TV shows and his drone video of the Nashville tornado and flood coverage was featured nationally on the news. “Jesus has definitely blessed me by putting the right people in my life.” JD enjoys traveling and he was able to visit the Holy Land in September 2022. He fulfilled a bucket list item and went to Dubai in February of 2023 and went back to Israel for a few days. Seeing where it all happened and walking the Via Dolorosa where Jesus carried the cross and seeing Golgotha and the empty tomb forever changed his life. In June of 2023 JD became Ordained. After several months of training JD became part of The Deliverance Team at his church. JD is in negotiations with a book publisher for his book "There He Is" with a release of 2025.
JD closes with this:
“I am one of the very few Christian Artists who can say they have a church home. When I perform in Churches and at conferences, I share my powerful testimony and in between I sing some of the songs from my latest album because they pertain to my journey. I hope my testimony helps others understand that God is there to lead you and help you no matter your circumstances or suffering. He has a unique purpose and plan for your life, you just have to surrender to him and let him lead you”.
“Thank you for reading. May God lay on your hearts his purpose and plan for your life. One last thing I leave you with, do not ever limit God. May you always take the next step in his direction because he will show you the way, when there appears to be no way. God Bless You”.