Walker Hayes is one of the artists being honored as part of the CMT Artists of the Year ceremony. For someone who once worked in Costco, and couldn’t afford a vehicle for all six of his children to safely travel in, the leap in his career is astounding, especially to him. Being invited to perform his “Fancy Like” hit last year was already a massive career validation, never imagining that one year later he would be honored.
“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’ recent successes have not only earned him industry recognition, including an American Music Awards nomination, but the ability to bring his family of eight on the road with him.
“That’s the most different part of this year, that I can absorb that cost,” Hayes reflects. “They roll with me on the bus. It’s like our home and they go everywhere I go.”
Not only has Hayes enjoyed having his wife and children out on the road with him, but it has in many ways saved his career. The 42-year-old, by his own admission, got burned out after “Fancy Like” exploded, ready to throw in the proverbial towel until he realized he didn’t have to always leave his family behind.
“It’s incredible,” he said. “That was fun for me. At my age and as long as we had been in the industry, if they couldn’t come out, I don’t know how much I could sustain this. I miss them so much. And my kids are 17 to 6, and they need they need me around, and I need to be around them.”
Hayes’ children get to be with him when he tours, but he also puts them to work, selling merch, doing t-shirt designs and more. But it’s when Hayes gets to bring his family on stage with him that remains the highlight for him,a nd his fans.
“When they stroll out the tallest to the shortest … I mean, that crowd goes nuts,” Hayes shares. “So we’re going to remember these days. It’s a lot of laundry. It’s hard on Lainey. It’s a lot of packing up. But it’s just a beautiful, chaotic thing that I think not everybody gets to do that. I’d have given anything to have had this much time with my dad as a kid. So, I’m grateful for that. I’m kind of like, ‘Hey, if that’s how we’re working, I’ll go anywhere management tells me to go. I’m good with that.”
Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Luke Combs and Kane Brown were also honored, along with Lainey Wilson, who was named the Breakout Artist of the Year, and Alan Jackson, who was named the Artist of a Lifetime.
The CMT Artists of the Year ceremony will air at 9:00 PM ET on CMT on October 14. Find music and tour dates at WalkerHayes.com.