Wally Fowler is from Hughes, Arkansas, where his parents and high school band director, Bob Meeks fostered a great love of music. He attended Arkansas State University and earned a Master’s Degree in Music.  As a graduate assistant, he directed the ASU Jazz ensemble, the Tribe.  Mr. Fowler played trombone professionally with RAS (Royal American Showmen), a jazz/rock ensemble that toured the US and Canada.  Later he started his own 16-piece orchestra, Backswing, which played major venues in the Memphis/Mid-South area including the grand re-opening of the Peabody Hotel.  Backswing has shared the stage with many famous performers, including The Temptations, Bob Hope, Rich Little, Rosemary Clooney, Jerry Lee Lewis and Jim Nabors. 

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Wally is a member of Marion United Methodist Church where he served as Minister of Music for 4 years. He started the Mid-South Community College Jazz Band which he directed for 3 years.

 

He has traveled to Jordan, Spain, Cuba, Mexico, St. Kitts and Trinidad on mission trips. Wally is married to his soulmate, Kathy.  He is retired now and in addition to music enjoys painting, sculpturing and spending time with his 5 grandkids. He maintains a busy schedule as the director of Jubilation Jazz.