Bruce Walker Memorial: Twenty bands, local food, and free parking

A memorial service for Flying Possum Leather owner Bruce Walker is scheduled for Sunday, March 13.

Twenty local bands, food from seven local restaurants, memorial t-shirts, and now, free parking are part of a planned memorial service honoring Flying Possum Leather owner and long-time Dickson Street icon Bruce Walker, who passed away in a fire at his shop earlier this week.

The details have evolved a bit over the course of the week, but the lineup appears to be set for the memorial which is scheduled for 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at George’s Majestic Lounge on Sunday, March 13.

Memorial t-shirts

Performers include Jed Clampit, Brandy Armstrong, Pope County Bootleggers, Sarah Hughes Band, Mountain of Venus, Guta, Mark Bilyeu of Big Smith, Charliehorse, Kory Montgomery Band, 1 oz Jig, Foxy’s Brown Bag Band, Rock House Reunion with Suds & Sandals, Ultra Suede, Big ‘Uns, Earl & Them, Tim Warden, Daryl Brooks Band with special guest Cherry Brooks, Ozark Blues Society Jam, Benjamin Del Shreve and Groovement.

Food will be provided by Greenhouse Grille, Jose’s, Flying Burrito, Hog Haus, Common Grounds, Little Bread Co. and Pesto Café.

Several custom-designed t-shirts honoring Walker will also be for sale, and 100% of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Bruce D. Walker Memorial Fund to help cover funeral expenses. Those who wish to donate to the fund may do so at any First Security Bank location.

At the request of event organizers, city officials agreed to offer free parking in the numbered spaces and gated lots all day on Sunday.

Other Memorials

Funeral Information
Bruce’s funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 11 at the First United Methodist Church in Searcy, Arkansas.

Rogue Memorial Service
Rogue will host a benefit for Bruce on with “Tuesday Blues Project,” featuring musicians Jeff Horton, Dave Johnson, Bill Hines, Amanda Rey, and others at 9 p.m. on Thursday, March 10. Haley Shelton from the venue said donations for Walker’s family will be accepted all month beginning Thursday night.

Jose’s Memorial Service
Another benefit event is scheduled for Sunday, March 20, at Jose’s on Dickson Street from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. This event will include a silent auction and will also feature local bands (to be announced at a later date). Proceeds from this event will be used to begin and perpetuate a Bruce D. Walker Memorial Stage at Springfest.

Bruce Walker Memorial Podcast
Daniel Gold of Honest FM recorded a two-hour radio show in memory of Walker this week. Listen online or download a 73-minute MP3 with more than a dozen songs from artists like Gram Parsons, Widespread Panic, 7 Walkers, Grateful Dead, Willie Nelson, Phish, Sarah Hughes, Aquarium Rescue Unit, Col. Bruce Hampton, John Hartford, Charliehorse, and Tea Leaf Green.