The Associated Press

NASHVILLE—Grand Ole Opry star Charlie Walker, who became a popular disc jockey in Texas as he built a career as a honky-tonk singer, has died. He was 81 and had been diagnosed recently with colon cancer.

A Grand Ole Opry spokesman said Walker died Friday morning in the Nashville suburb of Hendersonville, Tenn.

Walker played country music during World War II over the Armed Forces Radio Network as part of the occupation forces in Tokyo.

He became a top country music disc jockey on San Antonio’s KMAC in the ’50s. His breakthrough was on Columbia Records in 1958 with the Harlan Howard-penned “Pick Me Up on Your Way Down.” The tune became a million-seller and a country music staple.

His other hits included “Who Will Buy the Wine,” “Wild as a Wildcat” and ’Don’t Squeeze My Sharmon.”

He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1967, and was also a longtime member of the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his wife, Connie, and 10 children.