Reach For the Stars
We sometimes come full circle back to our first love, and in this case, it is music. Meet Arlis Walker, frontman for The Southern Outlaws Band. He hails
from the backwoods of WV, and has a strong background in music having left it behind, becoming a sheriff, only to find himself at a crossroads.
The universe always seems to find a way to bring us home to our roots. Through some tough life trials and tribulations, a deep part of his soul made a choice to live life to the fullest and the winding road led him right into the arms of his heart song.
Read on, and learn more about Arlis Walker and his life legacy.
Eileen: You come from the backwoods of WV. What were the roots of becoming a musician and how has it influenced who you are today?
Arlis: Our Grandfather played bluegrass with The West Virginia Travelers, and he was a big supporter of Mike Bright Jr. and me. We both fell in love with music right away as we grew up in the business. Our biggest takeaway from him was never forget where you come from.
Eileen: Would you share an experience from childhood that sticks in your mind?
Arlis: The first experience was when I was young, we were at a bluegrass festival in WV and our good friend Charlie Adkins played an upright bass. He sat me on his lap, they handed me a mic and I started to sing Blue Moon of Kentucky. I was hooked ever since.
Eileen: Music does seem to have a way of getting us hooked! Growing up, did you have a dream to be on the big stage? Please share some of the stepping stones that helped get you there.
Arlis: Growing up I always wanted to fulfill our grandfather’s dream of playing at The Grand Ole Opry. With a lot of hard work and a lot of big influences from other musicians like Jerry Douglas and Charlie Waller from The Country Gentlemen, in 1994 I made that dream come true when I got the honor of playing on the stage of The Grand Ole Opry.
Eileen: Would love to know what it was like to stand on that stage and you realized you made the dream come true.
Arlis: Standing backstage and seeing the barn backdrop and the circle I was about to stand on made the hairs on my arm stand up. It was a moment that words can’t describe. It wasn’t until I was done did it sink in that I finally made it.
Eileen: Glade to see you dream big! I like to say, Life is the Master Teacher, and when we follow our passion, sometimes there are obstacles as lessons to learn. Would you share some of the twists and turns you have had as a musician, a Southern gentleman, and a singer/songwriter?
Arlis: After playing in Nashville my daughter was only 2 years old, and the road was no life for a young child. I made the hard decision to step away from music to raise our daughter and made the career jump into Law Enforcement, but the music was always in my heart. Stepping away was the hardest thing to do, but the right thing to do for my family at the time. I always missed the excitement of being in front of a crowd.
Eileen: It seems you have come full circle and music is back in your life! Do you have any mentors or people who helped you along your life’s journey? What would you say has been their most poignant message that you still live by today? Why?
Arlis: I had many mentors in my music career, but the biggest thing I’ve learned from all of them is with hard work and dedication you can make your dreams come true. Never stop at NO. Keep pushing for that yes.
Eileen: I love it, never stop at NO. You had a career as a Sheriff and retired due to being injured in the line of duty. Do your songs reflect your experience in this position? Why?
Arlis: When I first got injured I was in a wheelchair for 3 years, and was told by doctors that I might never walk again. With everything I’ve learned from people around me is to never give up. Music was the most powerful thing that gave me determination and with the love and support from my wife, I worked hard to rehab myself and return to my first love MUSIC. So I try to write songs that lift and energize people’s souls to make them happy and help them overcome life’s challenges.
Eileen: So inspiring!! Did you have a daily mantra, something you held on tightly to that enabled the grit and determination to say, “not going to happen, watch and you will see!”
Arlis: I see a lot of people these days taking what the doctors say at face value. You should never let anyone tell you, you can’t do something. One big takeaway is when one door closes there is always another waiting to be opened. In my case, I kicked the door down.
Eileen: Good for you!! What have you learned about people, life, what’s important, and the value of music?
Arlis: I’ve learned that there is too much hate in the world. We all need to stop and look around that everyone is different and that’s what makes us all special. We are all human and that’s the common thread that brings us all together as ONE, and music is the universal language that speaks to everyone’s soul.
Eileen: Amen to this!! Do you have an example of a memorable positive experience that sheds light on how, if we look at life from a positive perspective, instead of hate, miracles or beautiful things happen?
Arlis: When we take the stage, we make it about everyone. I’ve seen bikers, business professionals, young, and old coming together and having a big party together at our shows. That is truly a beautiful thing to see because nothing matters but music and having a great time.
Eileen: Your band, Southern Outlaws Band, just formed in 2020 and has already won some awards. That is quite an achievement in such a short period of time. Tell me what you believe has enabled you to come out strong in the beginning and you keep getting better!
Arlis: I have the honor of playing with some of the most talented musicians in the business, this includes Dave Weilacher 2nd/Lead Guitar; Guitar boogie Bob Furda/ Lead Guitar; Tim Williams/ Bass; my cousin Mike Bright Jr./ Drums and our manager Sandi that takes care of us all. We all come from different backgrounds in music that makes our unique sound that is us. Dave and Bob are also talented songwriters. It’s the three of us that write music for The Southern Outlaws Band, and truly an honor to be with such hard-working musicians. We are a FAMILY.
Eileen: The music world has changed since your upbringing in WV. For any new artists trying to make it in this industry what tips would you like to share?
Arlis: For new artists, the music business is hard, but never give up and with hard work and determination you can reach for the stars.
Eileen: We all have stories to tell. Is there one in particular that readers and fans would love to hear and it is one that you will never forget?
Arlis: The one story that I’ll never forget is we were playing a fair in Pennsylvania and there was a fan that wanted to see us, we then found out by her husband that she had cancer. Our manager Sandi then told me. We stopped during the show, Sandi and I walked over and gave her a T-shirt. She in return gave me a huge hug and we both had tears. I then sang her a song. That meant the world to both of them. We truly care about all our fans and anytime we can have a special moment like that, it’s something we will carry with us always.
Eileen: Love this!! It is rewarding to know you make a difference in people’s lives through the art of music and truly caring about your fans. What are you and your band’s intentions for the foreseeable future? You have a unique sound, style, and something fresh for global appeal.
Arlis: Our intention for the future is to keep reaching for the stars and entertaining everyone with a high-energy show. If we can make someone forget the troubles they have, if only for a short while, and lift their spirits, we have done our job.
Eileen: Excellent! What an incredible life, legacy, and heart-centered interview. Thank you, Arlis!
You can hear Arlis and The Southern Outlaws Band by going to their YouTube Channel and reach out to them for bookings. You can also watch them on the ROKU Channel, OTEL Music Videos.
Social Media Links:
- Spotify https://open.spotify.com/album/3VIgjMXT67k0iLGix7UaFg?si=b-vgsMWrQRa13p39en76Ng&dd=1
- YouTube https://youtube.com/channel/UC-T1V9iFNenRrkwtpMphuEQ
- Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057216348967&mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Website https://www.thesouthernoutlawsband.com
Bio: The Southern Outlaws Band is from Northeast Ohio, formed in October 2020. They have 12 songs released at this time, six being originals written by members of the band. Each member of the 5-piece band has their own style, giving them the opportunity to put on an incredible show for fans. They have won two WSA awards and one International Songwriters Award. In 2022, the band won International Song of the Year with “Louisiana Water.” Their national sponsors include Clayton Picks USA, Gone Country Hats, and Budweiser, and they are Brand Ambassadors of Makers Mark Bourbon, along with other sponsorship partners. You can hear them on over 180 radio stations around the world, their Southern Outlaws album is available on Spotify, Pandora, Amazon, I-Heart Radio, and you can watch them on the ROKU Channel, and OTEL Music Videos.
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