As an Australian native, AristoMedia Group President Jeff Walker seems an unlikely candidate for a country music award. But in 1996, Walker received the Country Music Association (CMA) President's Award for his personal contributions to country music, just one of the many achievements and accomplishments he would accrue over his 25 years and counting in the country music business. 

Born and raised in Sydney, Walker's strong interest in finances and business allowed him to graduate from the University of Sydney with a degree in Economics, majoring in Accounting and Law. He obtained his Chartered Accountants qualifications - the Australian equivalent to a CPA - while working with the Sydney accounting firm, Touche Ross. 

After a few years in the corporate world, Walker decided to take a six months hiatus from the bright lights and crunching numbers. After months spent breathing the open air of Europe, his travels eventually landed him in Nashville, the home of his father, arranger/conductor Bill Walker. It was during his visit to Music City that a job opportunity opened up for Walker with the accounting firm of Price Waterhouse , and he soon joined their team as a Senior Auditor. 

With his general appreciation for music, Walker was exposed to the lure of Nashville and its country music roots. After a few months, Walker was offered a position as controller of a newly established music group, Con Brio Records and Publishing . Shortly after he was promoted to Vice President of Operations, the independent label saw considerable success, charting almost forty records in three years. Two of the songs that reached Top 20 positions, "The Feeling's So Right Tonight" and "She's The Girl of My Dreams," were even co-written by Walker himself. Because of the label's size, he also had the opportunity work in a more creative outlet and served as Album Artwork Design Coordinator for numerous albums. After four years, Walker decided to make a career change. He took all of his experiences from both sides of the business and started his own company. 

In April of 1980, Jeff Walker formed Aristo Music Associates, Inc ., (later renamed AristoMedia Group ). The company name, derived from the word "aristocrat" which means the finest or the best, signified what Walker wanted to achieve with his new venture. 

In 1991, Walker formed the Marco Music Group, expanding his services to include record promotion. Inspired by the groundbreaking ideas of the company's namesake Marconi, a great pioneer in radio development, Walker explored new and original ways to be innovative in record promotion. Wanting to give promotional services a marketing edge, he eventually decided to shorten the name to Marco Promotions . 

Through the mid-1990s, the companies continued to grow. Walker formed two additional companies, Jeff Walker & Associates in 1994 and The Goodland Group in 1995. Jeff Walker & Associates was designed to provide services for the growing need of music clients wishing to purchase airtime on video programs and other outlets across the country. The Goodland Group was created as a publishing-based company which operated independently but also oversaw the activities of the Walkerbout Music Group which controlled the catalogs of Con Brio Records, the company Walker worked with in the late 70s. All divisions now operate under the umbrella of the AristoMedia Group . 

Over the years, Walker and his staff have developed and maintained a solid network for country video promotion, with the format better served in terms of quality, quantity, timing and consistency. Walker has also developed a professional team of associates and employees that individually contribute to the overall strength of the country music format. Additionally, he helps educate the music industry by providing the Annual Status of Country Video Report, which offers a detailed analysis of the current condition of country video. 

Since the formation of AristoMedia Group over twenty five years ago, the company has developed a strong reputation as one of the top media consulting and promotion companies based in Nashville. In 2004, the company received the Music Row Best of Award for Best Independent Publicity Company . 

With a strong sense of community, Walker has always believed in giving back to the community. He has spent multiple years on boards such as the Country Music Association, The Country Radio Broadcasters, The Academy of Country Music, The Recording Academy (NARAS) and Leadership Music. 

AristoMedia Group's range of services, which Walker describes as lateral diversification. includes publicity, media relations, event coordination, special marketing campaigns, video marketing and promotion, secondary radio and dance club promotions and general consulting. 

As AristoMedia Group forges into the new millennium, Walker continues to be active in marketing, publicity and video/media, enhancing company personnel through education and utilizing the latest technology available.