MusicRowPics: Walker McGuire Previews Tracks From Wheelhouse Records Debut

Walker McGuire

BBR Music Group’s Wheelhouse Records duo Walker McGuire recently stopped by the MusicRow offices to perform tracks from their debut album, including the single “‘Til Tomorrow.” The duo’s Jordan Walker and Johnny McGuire offered tight-knit harmonies and southern-tinged vocals enveloping songs with a classic rock sensibility.

Texas native Walker and Kansas native McGuire met in 2012 when they performed during the same open mic night at music venue The Commodore. They discovered they shared similar influences and a passion for writing songs. Soon after, they began collaborating as the duo Walker McGuire. They began working with producer/engineer Mickey Jack Cones early on in their career. Cones, who has produced and/or engineered for artists including Jason Aldean and Dustin Lynch, introduced the duo to BBR Music Group.

In the meantime, the group has been on the road, fine-tuning their sound by playing more than 200 dates last year.

Much like Walker McGuire’s swift formation, once BBR Music Group was ready to move on the signing, the deal happened almost instantly. “Last year, [Jon] Loba called us in to play for the staff,” recalls McGuire. “We had a meeting with BBR and UMG on the same day. After playing for them, we were told not to take the other meeting, and Benny [Brown] committed to drawing up the record deal right then.”

The duo co-wrote nine out of the 12 songs on their upcoming album. “Til Tomorrow,” a track written while in the earliest days as duo, gained early buzz from Spotify’s John Marks. “He has been super gracious, and he believed in what we had going on.” The track now has more than 19 million plays on Spotify.

One of the few they did not co-write, “I’m On It,” features writing from members of Old Dominion.

“When we find a good song, we run with it,” Walker says. “We did send them some whiskey, though.”

The members are also finding success as writers for other artists. Walker is also a co-writer on Luke Combs’ latest single, “When It Rains It Pours.”

Walker McGuire with MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson.

Walker McGuire with MusicRow staffers.

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at [email protected].

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