The Walker Brothers

BERNIE, Mo. - As identical twins often do, Coty and Clinton Walker of Bernie often complete each other's sentences and recognize thoughts from one another before the words are spoken. But they are perhaps no more alike than when their voices are lifted in song.

The duo, sons of Tommy and Carol Walker, have been singing their way into the hearts of family, friends, and churchgoers for as long as they can remember. Recently, however, they've expanded their horizons, sending their blends of country and Christian rock through cyberspace via iTunes and YouTube, complete with video. It's their hope that someday their talents might grab national attention in the country field. And they have the means now to help drive that task forward with their own recording studio in downtown Bernie.

"We were singing before we could speak in complete sentences," says Coty. "Before we had all our teeth," echoes his brother. "We sang in church and we sang the National Anthem together at ballgames. About all our music growing up focused on Christian music from old gospel to rock."

The two began writing their own music a few years ago. One of the many outcomes of their tandem thoughts is called, "The Life." The song, which describes what life is like in the small country town of Bernie, Mo., has had thousands of hits on YouTube. The video spotlights not only the talents of the Walker brothers, but other local musicians as well, and was filmed along the streets of Bernie and on the banks of the St. Francis River near Powe. It's a rousing tribute to country life, but without the influence of some of the elements so tied to country music today.

"We don't do drinking songs or 'cryin' in your beer' songs," Clinton says. "We're Christian and our songs are about things we've experienced being raised in rural Missouri."

"These boys are incredibly talented," says their manager, Chas Watkins, who has 35 years himself in the country and Southern rock music arena. "What is so refreshing about these two is that they're just so real. What you see is what you get. There's nothing pretentious about them. They share an abundance of talent from writing music to performing and now recording."

The old Western Auto building in downtown Bernie that now bears the name Walker Bros. is a spacious, fully-equipped facility. When the brothers decided to take the plunge and open their own recording studio, they made every effort to make the studio top notch. Offering digital recording and mixing is hardly where the options stop. The studio has session musicians, along with production and creative services that include CD design, print and even duplication. They offer project photography, on-location equipment and even living quarters for artists who stop in the Bootheel of Missouri to launch a CD or video.

The studio, all of their own design, was helped along through the efforts of the twins' father, who is a contractor.

"We've had a lot of help from family and friends in making this a reality," credits Coty. "And Clinton and I kind of worked together to make it happen."

Indeed, they did. Just as they've shared everything in life, the financial planning and responsibility was worked out by the brothers. Lifelong Bernie residents, the two graduated from high school in 2006. Clinton headed for Southeast Missouri State University to earn a degree that has landed him a position in the Holcomb School District teaching English. Coty took classes for a year at Three Rivers.

"I really just wanted to focus on classes dealing with electronics to be better equipped for what I wanted to do."

It paid off. He now commandeers the electronics at the studio and lays much of the groundwork when a group or individual wants to cut a CD or make a video.

"Clinton's paycheck helps support our habit," he laughs, and his brother joins him.

The brothers are as different in character as they are alike in looks. Coty is the spontaneous twin, and has been referred to as "hyperactive" more than once in his lifetime.

Clinton is the planner, the ponderer, and the one who has to ground his brother occasionally. But the two come together as one when Clinton picks up a guitar - one of several instruments they each play with proficiency - and begins to sing. With their identical faces often turning to face each other inches apart, they sing with a passion that is only matched by their love of the music. Arms are extended at the high notes, and shoulders come down in unison for the low ones. Toes tap and knees are slapped in rhythm. The twosome seem to be transported into a world of their own when the music plays and the lyrics begin - so much so that they often switch their melody and harmony parts in mid-stream without realizing it.

"What I love about these guys," says Watkins, "is their honesty that really shows in everything they do. But most importantly, they are first Christians, and they don't hesitate to tell you that. It's not a title they wear on their sleeve - it's in their hearts, and they're not ashamed to tell the world."

"We grew up performing gospel and country music at an early age," explains Coty. "By our pre-teen years we'd formed a band and cut our first original album. Throughout that time we learned everything we could about the recording industry and honed our engineering skills through self-produced projects and a relentless drive to move forward with what we are passionate about."

Clinton reiterates, "The few minutes between our births is the only real time we have had apart in the last quarter century, so we know each other... really well!"

That closeness, it seems, has served the Walker brothers well for 24 years. It's their hope it will continue to serve them well as they embark on their lifetime dream - in downtown Bernie, Mo.