Norm Walker doesn't call himself a storyteller but rather a "story-singer". Even so, the storytelling communities, locally and nationally, have embraced what he does as within the realm of what they call "storytelling". Some call him a "contemporary folk singer". Whatever you call him, at the very least he is an "entertainer" who uses music and stories as his main vehicles, often with a broad range of humour.
Norm receives much of his inspiration from folk tales, urban legends, true stories, even internet office jokes. He then tries to find the balance of poetic lyrics that is suited to an appropriate melody and musical style based on the musical influences that have most touched him. Those musical influences cover a broad range of styles: British and Irish traditional, old-time, American, western, cowboy, swing and old popular songs (from 78 records). As a result, he is a bit difficult to pigeon-hole in terms of describing his style of music.
His approach to music is predominantly acoustic, and he has an uncanny ability to marry words with music to sing true stories, recount folk tales and spin yarns. His ability to weave stories with humour leaves audiences chuckling and humming punch lines long after the concert is over. Norm's songs cover a variety of themes, including urban legends, electrical theory, the Saskatchewan Prairie, progressive politics, and community. The result is that "seldom is heard a discouraging word" and if you can't at least smile at some of these story-songs, there's probably something wrong with your face.
Norm Walker is no stranger to folk music. Not only has he had a long-time association with organizing folk music and storytelling concerts and festivals in Regina, but he has also been a performing singer, songwriter and musician, accompanying himself and others on guitar or mandolin. He has been a featured guest on CBC Radio's Basic Black (with Arthur Black) and also Disc Drive (with Jurgen Goth) and performed from coast to coast but mostly in western Canada. Over the years, Norm has been a member of various Regina-based Celtic music groups. He has performed solo and with other musician friends at numerous coffeehouses, benefits, political events, restaurants, nursing homes, concerts and events.
He released a music CD in 2002 called "T" Time - Time Tested Tales, Tall and True which is mostly a collection of story-oriented songs, many of which are based on urban legends and folk tales. Penguin Eggs Magazine describes him as a "songwriter somewhat in the tradition of a Canadian Tom Lehrer". Since that time he has written an number of songs (all unrecorded as of yet) expanding on the approaches he began with the "T" Time CD.
Norm, an electrician by trade, currently teaches in the Electrician Apprenticeship Training Program at the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
CDs can be ordered through BULL FROG MUSIC.
