Walker Hayes had a fast ride to superstar status, with his viral “Fancy Like” hit, after years and years, and years, of struggling to get his music heard. The father of six saw his life change overnight, from relative obscurity to becoming a household name, a surprising shift that has not been without its share of struggles and pitfalls, even while he is profoundly grateful for his success.
“My favorite part of all of this that God created is writing a song,” Hayes shares on Apple Music Country’s Country Faith Radio with Hillary Scott. “And so, I miss that. And selfishly, sometimes… People would probably be alarmed to hear this, but … my wife and I will be like, ‘You think you should just write?’ This business really exposes a very narcissistic version of me. And I don’t love it. I don’t like that guy, but he’s inside me. I’m capable of some really gross stuff. And this business, it has that weight on my heart.”
Hayes has since had multiple awards nominations, including a recent Grammy nod, and nominations for both the CMA Awards and the American Music Awards. He’s sold out large venues, and been a constant presence on the charts in recent years. It is all things he once longed for, but now sees as a double-edged sword.
“I find myself getting out there [on stage] not being grateful, going, ‘Why couldn’t I hear this cue?” admits the singer. “And I find myself being like, ‘I need these particulars to happen because we’re at this phase now.’ And that’s an icky, icky version of me. And sometimes I’m like, ‘Man, I wonder if I was just like a high school football coach. Would I be that gross?’ And the truth is, I would.”
Hayes recently received another accolade, when he was named one of the CMT Artists of the Year. It was a huge jump from one year prior, when he performed.
“That was a crazy, crazy leap,” Hayes tells CMT. “I mean, just to perform last year was a huge honor for me to be a part of that. It was scary. I was nervous. I was excited. All the good things, and I couldn’t believe it. This year, honestly, I couldn’t believe it when they said we’re being honored. I was like, ‘Wait a second. That’s really fast from going and not being a part of it to be honored.’ So, we’re just grateful.”
Hayes is enjoying another Top 40 hit, with his latest single, “Y’All Life.” He is currently on his Glad You’re Here Tour, with his family joining him on the road. Find music and tour dates at WalkerHayes.com.
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