A while back a man began something which over the next few years would build from a dream into a national phenomenon...
Often imitated; never duplicated, Noel Walters, a unique vocal stylist has taken the previously mundane Southern Gospel genre and brought it full-force into the 21st century. His story is like no other, and he creates a sound and impression like no one else! Armed with inspiring songs of worship and powerful vocals that are unmatched, this man has broken out of the "box." Noel, a Long Beach, California native, began his musical career at the age of 17, traveling, singing and playing the bass with his Dad and his country gospel group, The Christian Troubadours. He toured with his Dad for 10 years until his Dad was called to preach and disbanded the Troubadours. After leaving the Christian Troubadours Noel traveled and evangelized as a soloist and continued to hone his talent as a bass player also. Noel became a much sought after bass player in Nashville, playing bass and putting background vocals on literally hundreds of recordings and jingles over the years, many of which have gone on to be huge successes. While playing bass and singing on a recording session for the late Grand Ole Opry legend Billy Walker, Walker approached Noel about fronting his road show. Noel accepted Walker's offer and toured with Walker for 3 years; working the road and performing on the stage of the world famous Grand Ole Opry many times. After leaving Walker, Noel took a job with country music legend George Jones, playing bass and opening his show. He next went on to work with Billie Jo Spears for the next 5 years. Billie Jo was so impressed with Noel that while they were recording an album in Dublin, Ireland, Billie Jo asked Noel to sing a duet with her. The song, "Every Time Two Fools Collide," was chosen to be a single and was a mammoth British success for Billie Jo. Noel says that he has never worked with anyone that, he felt, appreciated his talents more than Billie Jo Spears, other than his Dad of course. Leaving Billie Jo was a difficult thing but work slowed down and he felt a change was needed. After leaving Billie Jo Spears, Noel worked with Joe Stampley, of Moe and Joe fame for 7 years, filling auditoriums and arenas everywhere they worked. Joe decided to disband and once again Noel was faced with a way of feeding his family. While working in the studio one day a call came from the stuttering boy himself, Mel Tillis. He said he had opened a new theater in Branson, MO and would like Noel to play bass and sing in the show. Noel accepted and for the next 15 years he stayed in Branson working with Tillis. Noel credits Mel for teaching him how to truly entertain and interact with an audience. During all the many years of performing with country music artists Noel still feels as though God was using him as a lighthouse and a Godly example to whomever he worked with and came in contact with. Noel says "I have a passion for the ministry, and singing affords me the ability to do that in a way that I love." The last 5 years with Tillis Noel felt the tremendous passion to get back to his gospel music roots. Besides hundreds of performances on the world famous Grand Ole Opry, Noel has opened shows for almost every major performer in country music, past and present. People such as, Merle Haggard, Conway Twitty, Randy Travis, Hank Williams Jr., Charlie Daniels, Brenda Lee, Ronnie Milsap, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, Reba McEntire, Ernest Tubb, Kathy Mattea, Neil McCoy, Darryl Singletary, and the list goes on and on. Noel has worked on TV shows such as the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Nashville Now, Crook and Chase, Austin City Limits, Hee Haw, Pop Goes The Country, and New Country. Although Noel has traveled the world and worked with a wealth of talented musicians and singers, he feels his greatest blessing comes from singing and being a minister in song to others. His unique style of singing a ballad warms the heart and stirs the soul. His charismatic personality only adds excitement to an up-tempo song. Noel's vocal range and distinctive style has a way of bringing an audience to their feet. Noel's professional career has afforded him the opportunities to work with many famous people and has allowed him to travel to various countries and interesting places, but the greatest thrill and excitement comes to him when he is able to see a soul saved or believer encouraged by his music and testimony.