Country singer Walker Hayes opens up about his past battle with alcoholism, which nearly cost him his music career, in his latest songbook, “Sober Thoughts.''
Hayes burst onto the music world three years ago with “Fancy Like.” The song caused a sensation and established him in the country music world. Today, he returns with a collection of songs that delves deep into his own life experiences, including his struggle with drug addiction and the grief of losing his child.
Early in his career, he moved to Nashville with his high school sweetheart Laney to pursue his dream of becoming a songwriter. However, there were many challenges along the way.
“Life has thrown us around and we've overcome some really tough things,” he said.
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A decade later, Hayes' music career had stalled. He was working the swing shift at Costco to support his growing family. He turned to alcohol and said he was drinking “all day, every day.”
“I mean, it got to the point where it was embarrassing, but I always had a vodka handle in my Honda Accord, and there was vodka in every drink,” he said.
Hayes' struggle continued until he finally admitted that he was an alcoholic.
“I woke up and physically I had never felt like this before,” Hayes said. “I wasn't even hungover. I just felt like if I went back and did this again today, I might die.”
After this realization, Hayes pursued sobriety and his life began to improve.
But just as his career was gaining momentum in 2018, he and his wife faced unimaginable tragedy.
Rainey almost died while giving birth to her seventh child, Oakley. Oakley was stillborn at term. After Oakley's funeral, and after three years of sobriety, Hayes headed to a bar.
“I went down there and my wallet wasn’t in the door,” he said. “So I drove home, and the first thing I see when I get home is Lainey, just sitting alone in the dark living room, staring at the wall, and my sadness and anger. It quickly turned into a disgrace.'' My favorite person on earth is one person. ”
That's when his priorities quickly changed, and by holding on to his family, Hayes' career finally took off, he says.
“I was obsessed with myself, I wanted power, I wanted success. And when I lost Oakley, my perspective changed and I started holding on to what was important. What was really important to me was my children. ,” Hayes said. .
Hayes' career saw a resurgence in 2021, when his daughter Lela's TikTok dance to “Fancy Like” went viral, reintroducing his music to a wider audience.
“It was like, oh, there were 6,000, you know, 6,000 people liked it,” Hayes recalled. “And her daughter said, “Dad, that's 600,000.''
This new success was a light for Hayes and his family, showing how personal expression through music can foster connection and healing.
Now, on “Sober Thoughts,” Hayes is more candid than ever about the complexities of his life.
“I don't know what the future holds,” he said. “And the fact that life has an end. If we all could actually see that from the front row, our daily lives would change. We would see clearly what's important. Sho.”
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