Bill Walach’s professional music career in Connecticut began in 1957 when he played the Hawaiian guitar at V.F.W. and American Legion Halls in a band led by his music teacher. Jack Hardy and Bill met in 1965 at the University of Hartford freshman orientation and became housemates and regular performers at The Forum coffee house in Hartford which often featured Greenwich Village acts like Paul Siebel. They also played together in a 5-piece folk-rock band until 1970 when the band broke up. Jack then put out his first album and asked Bill to play electric bass, pedal steel, mandolin and jaw harp on it. Bill also played steel on Jack’s second album but by then Bill was touring the Northeast with Coster, Welling and Walach while Jack focused on his solo career.

In the mid-70’s Bill was commissioned to compose a ballet score for Tom Dula, performed by the Hartford Ballet as he continued to play for countless contra-dances, square dances and clubs. In an effort to expand the repertoire for solo mandolin, Bill produced the “Mandolin Celebration” from 1984 - 1989 commissioning new works from composers as diverse as Andy Statman and Ornette Coleman. In this period Bill also wrote scores and was musical director for plays both in Hartford and New York. He continued commissioning and performing new works in the ’90’s, this time for his mandolin and tuba duet with Gary Buttery. The 21st century welcomed a collection of 16 tunes performed by Bill and Gary released both on line and in CD format. This endeavor is entitled “Not Your Usual Mandolin And Tuba Duo” and includes a variety of folk. jazz, and original music. For 20 plus years he spent six weeks in South Florida where he was a regular feature at Miami Dade College’s Arts and Letters Week, did some “side-man” work and recording and played with Irish bands for St. Patrick’s Day events. Working as a solo accompanist for Purple Rock Productions saw Bill perform in Hartford, Manhattan, Syracuse and D.C. Now in the 2020’s Bill continues to perform with his mandolin in a variety of venues; concerts, clubs, assisted living facilities, square and contra dances etc.