Joshua Ray Walker played his cover of Lizzo’s Cuz I Love You on Jimmy Kimmel Live! earlier this week, showing why he’s quickly becoming a household name. This appearance is another feather in his cap, having been a musical guest on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last year.
The Dallas-based singer-songwriter’s unique blend of traditional country and modern Americana is front and center on What is it Even?, his covers album featuring songs from female artists. In addition to Lizzo, Walker covers classics from Whitney Houston, The Cranberries, Beyonce, Dolly Parton, and more.
Before What It Is Even, Walker had already gained recognition for his debut, 2019’s Wish You Were Here. The album earned him critical acclaim and a growing fan base, with standout tracks like “Canyon” and “Working Girl.” Walker is surprisingly prolific, with two additional albums, EPs, and singles under his belt, not to mention his amazing live album, I Opened for The Killers and All I Got Was Appendicitis.
Standing out in the music industry can be difficult, but Walker is blazing his own path. His unique, flamboyant style is the opposite of what you might expect in country music, but Walker says he’s always been seen differently. In a recent interview, he said that by age 13, he was almost 6 feet tall and that his long hair caused him to be mistaken for a woman. Walker went on to say that it has taken him a long time to work through insecurities about how people perceive him.
Listen to Joshua Ray Walker’s What is it Even? on streaming, vinyl, or wherever you get your music, and catch him on the road with his band as the What is it Even Tour continues into 2024. Get the complete list of dates on his website. You can find him on Instagram @joshuaraywalker.
Featured Photo by David McClister
