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Walker Hayes

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Walker Hayes
Hayes in 2017
Background information
Birth nameCharles Edgar Walker Hayes[1]
Born (1979-12-27) December 27, 1979 (age 44)[2][3]
OriginMobile, Alabama, U.S.[4]
GenresCountry pop[3]
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • piano
Years active2010–present
Labels
Spouse
Laney Beville
​
(m. 2004)​

Charles Edgar Walker Hayes (born December 27, 1979) is an American country pop singer and songwriter. He has released four studio albums: Reason to Rhyme in 2011 on Capitol Records Nashville, and Boom, Country Stuff the Album, and New Money in 2017, 2022, and 2023 on Monument Records. Hayes has charted multiple singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts; his highest-peaking is "Fancy Like", which reached the number one position on both charts between late 2021 and early 2022.

Early life

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Hayes was born on December 27, 1979, in Mobile, Alabama. He has eight older half-siblings, four from his mother's previous marriage and four from his father's previous marriage.[5] His father, Charles Hayes, was a realtor and died in 2021.[2][6] Hayes attended St. Paul’s Episcopal School in Mobile and then graduated from Birmingham–Southern College in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in music and an emphasis on piano.[2]

Career

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2005–2015: Beginnings

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Hayes and his wife moved to Nashville in 2005, hoping to get in the country music business. He landed a job writing songs for a Nashville publishing company and then signed a contract with Mercury Records Nashville,[7] though he was quickly dropped and moved to Capitol Records Nashville.[2] In 2010, he released his first single, "Pants". It debuted at No. 60 on the Hot Country Songs charts dated for the week ending September 18, 2010.[8] Kyle Ward of Roughstock rated the single 3.5 stars out of 5.[9] Hayes debuted the video for the song in December 2010.[10] Hayes also appeared on an episode of 19 Kids and Counting, singing a song he wrote about Jill and her now husband, Derick's, proposal. "Pants" and a second single, "Why Wait for Summer", both appeared on an album for Capitol Records titled Reason to Rhyme.[11][7]

Hayes co-wrote and sang guest vocals on "Dirty Side", a song from Colt Ford's 2014 album Thanks for Listening.[12] He also co-wrote Rodney Atkins' late-2014 single "Eat Sleep Love You Repeat".[13] After losing his contract with Capitol Records, Hayes worked at a Costco to support himself.[14]

2016–2020: 8Tracks Vol. 1 and 8Tracks Vol. 2

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In 2016, Hayes signed a publishing and production deal with Shane McAnally and SMACK/RareSpark, through which he released two extended plays:[15] 8Tracks Vol. 1 and 8Tracks Vol. 2.[16] This was followed by his first single for Monument Records, "You Broke Up with Me".[14] It appears on his first Monument album, Boom.[17] It would be his breakthrough hit on the Billboard charts.

In August 2018, Hayes released a single titled "90's Country", whose song lyrics contain multiple references to titles of country songs from the 1990s.[18]

2021–present: Country Stuff the Album and New Money

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On June 4, 2021, Hayes released the EP Country Stuff. One of its tracks, "Fancy Like", became a viral hit through TikTok and reached number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100[19] and number 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart,[20] becoming Hayes' highest-charting effort to date.[21][22] It was subsequently released to country radio as his next single, and debuted at number 53 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. "Fancy Like" appeared on an extended play titled Country Stuff, the tracks of which also carried over to his third studio album, 2022's Country Stuff the Album. The album has also produced the singles "U Gurl" and "AA".[23]

In July 2022, Hayes released the single "Y'all Life".[24]

On July 28, 2023, Hayes released Strait Two Stepping, a two song extended play including the songs "Stetson" and "Show Me the Country".[25] These songs later appeared on his second studio album New Money, along with the single, "Good with Me", which released on August 25, 2023.[26] The album was released a month later on September 29, 2023.[27]

In July 2024, Hayes teamed up with Canadian rapper Connor Price on the song, "Smoke". It was met with negative reviews and was described as "one of the worst songs ever made."[28] On August 16, 2024, Hayes released "Ball Player", a song intended as an "apology to his kids" about his feelings towards their athletic careers.[29]

In October 2024, Hayes announced “5 to 9” as his next single from his upcoming fifth studio album, which was released on October 11, 2024. Hayes describes the song as “bigger than Fancy Like”.[30]

Personal life

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He lives in Estill Springs, Tennessee, with his wife, Laney Beville Hayes, and their six children.[31] The couple married in 2004.[32] Their seventh child and fourth daughter, Oakleigh Klover Hayes, died shortly after birth on June 6, 2018. Laney had to undergo surgery due to profuse bleeding after the birth.[33] Hayes is a Christian and has been sober since 2015.[34]

Discography

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Main article: Walker Hayes discography

Albums

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Awards and nominations

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Awards and nominations received by Kevin Feige
Award Year Nominee Category Result Ref.
CMT Music Awards 2018 "You Broke Up with Me" Breakthrough Video of the Year Nominated [35]
American Music Awards 2021 "Fancy Like" Favorite Country Song Nominated [36]
Grammy Awards 2022 Best Country Song Nominated [37]
Kids' Choice Awards 2022 Himself Favorite Breakout Artist Nominated [38]
Billboard Music Awards 2022 Top Song Sales Artist Nominated [39]
Top Country Artist Nominated
Country Stuff the Album Top Country Album Nominated
"Fancy Like" Top Selling Song Nominated
Top Viral Song Nominated
Top Country Song Won

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ "Walker Hayes on Instagram: "Us. The kids. And the dogs. The girls dominate"". August 24, 2019. Archived from the original on December 23, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2021 – via Instagram.
  2. ^ a b c d Renee Busby (January 22, 2011). "Mobilian Walker Hayes hits country music charts with his song 'Pants'". Al.com. Retrieved October 4, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Walker Hayes biography". AllMusic. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
  4. ^ Jim Malec (August 3, 2010). "Song Review: Walker Hayes – "Wax Paper Cups"". American Twang. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  5. ^ "Exit 209 with Storme Warren: Walker Hayes - Leap Of Faith on Apple Podcasts". Apple Podcasts. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  6. ^ "Charles Hayes-Obituary". Mobile Area Association of Realtors. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Walker Hayes isn't afraid to sing about struggling, and it's making him a success". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  8. ^ Edward Morris (September 11, 2010). "Lady Antebellum's Need You Now Recaptures No. 1 Perch". CMT. Archived from the original on September 15, 2010. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  9. ^ Kyle Ward (September 6, 2010). "Walker Hayes — "Pants"". Roughstock. Archived from the original on September 3, 2010. Retrieved September 30, 2010.
  10. ^ "Walker Hayes, 'Pants' (Making of the Video)". The Boot. December 17, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2010.
  11. ^ "Reason To Rhyme – Walker Hayes – Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  12. ^ Thanks for Listening (Deluxe Edition) (CD booklet). Colt Ford. Average Joes Entertainment. 2014. pp. 2–8.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ Allers, Hannahlee (October 30, 2014). "Rodney Atkins Releases 'Eat Sleep Love You Repeat'". The Boot. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
  14. ^ a b Stark, Phyllis (July 19, 2017). "Nashville Broke Up With Walker Hayes, But After a Stint at Costco He's Back". Billboard. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  15. ^ Hight, Jewly (June 27, 2017). "Walker Hayes' Mixtapes Keep Country Conversational". NPR. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  16. ^ "Walker Hayes Re-Releases '8Tracks Vol. 1 & 2' As Thank You To Fans". March 19, 2018.
  17. ^ "Walker Hayes to Release Full-Length Album, 'Boom'". Taste of Country. October 9, 2017. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  18. ^ "Walker Hayes Takes Us Back in Time With '90's Country'". August 30, 2018.
  19. ^ "Walker Hayes Chart History – Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  20. ^ "Walker Hayes Chart History – Country Songs". Billboard. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  21. ^ Asker, Jim (June 22, 2021). "Walker Hayes' 'Fancy' Dance Moves Spark His First No. 1: 'Just Me Being Me ... With My Family'". Billboard. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  22. ^ Benitez-Eves, Tina (July 9, 2021). "Behind the Song: Walker Hayes' Viral Hit "Fancy Like"". American Songwriter. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  23. ^ "Walker Hayes announces 'Country Stuff the Album'". Taste of Country. November 19, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  24. ^ "When did Walker Hayes release "Y'all Life"?". Genius. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  25. ^ O'Connell, Madeleine (July 28, 2023). "Walker Hayes Drops A Set Of New, Dance Worthy Tracks On The 'Strait Two Stepping' Bundle". Country Now. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  26. ^ Dowling, Marcus K. "Walker Hayes confronts America's divisive ideals with a beer and a smile in 'Good With Me'". USA Today. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  27. ^ Neeley, Ansley (September 29, 2023). "Walker Hayes Releases New 8-Song Project New Money". Monument Records. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
  28. ^ Hookstead, David (August 26, 2024). "We've Found One Of The Worst Songs Ever Made: LISTEN". OutKick. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  29. ^ "Walker Hayes Releases A Letter To His Kids in Brand New Track, "Ball Player"". RCA Records. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
  30. ^ Liptak, Carena (October 2, 2024). "Walker Hayes' Wife Responds to the Spicy Video He Posted About Her". Taste of Country. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  31. ^ Leimkuehler, Matthew (January 27, 2022). "If Nashville is a 10-year town, no one told Walker Hayes (and that's OK by him)". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
  32. ^ "How Did Walker Hayes Meet His Wife, Laney?". May 13, 2022.
  33. ^ Stump, Scott (August 22, 2018). "Country star Walker Hayes opens up about losing baby girl and almost his wife". TODAY.com. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  34. ^ "Walker Hayes Shares the Story Behind 'AA' [EXCLUSIVE]". Everything Nash. February 17, 2022. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  35. ^ "Here Are All the Winners From the 2018 CMT Music Awards". Billboard. June 6, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  36. ^ Respers France, Lisa (October 28, 2021). "American Music Awards 2021: See who got nominated". CNN. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  37. ^ Atkinson, Katie (April 3, 2022). "Here Are the 2022 Grammy Awards Winners: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  38. ^ Rice, Nicholas (April 10, 2022). "Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2022: See the Complete List of Winners". People. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  39. ^ Grein, Paul (April 8, 2022). "The Weeknd & Doja Cat Lead 2022 Billboard Music Awards Finalists: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
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