Country Singer Walker Hayes Shares Journey Through Alcoholism in Latest Album
Walker Hayes, the country singer, is baring his soul in his newest album titled "Sober Thoughts," where he reflects on his past struggles with alcoholism that nearly derailed his music career.
Known for his hit song "Fancy Like" that catapulted him into the spotlight three years ago, Hayes is now taking a deeper dive into his personal experiences through this new collection of songs. The album not only touches on his battle with addiction but also addresses the pain of losing a child.
Hayes and his high school sweetheart, Laney, made the move to Nashville years ago with dreams of pursuing a career in songwriting. However, their journey was far from easy.
"Life has thrown us some curveballs, and we've weathered some really tough storms," Hayes shared.
As his music career began to stall after a decade in the industry, Hayes found himself working odd jobs to support his family, including a stint at Costco. It was during this challenging period that he turned to alcohol, consuming it "all day, every day."
"I reached a point of embarrassment, carrying a bottle of vodka in my car at all times, adding it to every drink," Hayes confessed.
Hayes' battle continued until he finally admitted he was struggling with alcoholism.
"I woke up, and physically, I've never felt like this before," Hayes said. "It wasn't even a hangover. It just felt like if I start again today and do this, I might die."
After this realization, Hayes decided to seek sobriety, and his life started to improve.
However, as his career was gaining traction in 2018, he and his wife encountered an unimaginable tragedy.
Laney nearly lost her life while giving birth to their seventh child, Oakleigh, who was stillborn at full-term. Following Oakleigh's funeral — and three years of sobriety — Hayes headed to a bar.
"Got down there and my wallet wasn't in my door," he said. "So I drove back home. First thing I see when I walk back into my house is Laney in the dark living room, just sitting in the dark, staring into the wall, by herself. And my grief and anger immediately turned to shame. My favorite person on Earth is all by herself."
That's when he states his priorities swiftly changed, and by holding onto his family, Hayes' career finally skyrocketed.
"I was self-absorbed and I wanted power. I wanted success. And so the lens changed when we lost Oakleigh and I began to cling to the things that matter, and one thing that really matters to me is my kids," said Hayes.
Hayes' career witnessed a resurgence in 2021, when a TikTok dance created by his daughter Lela to "Fancy Like" went viral, reintroducing his music to a wider audience.
"I was like, oh, we got 6,000, you know, 6,000 people like it," Hayes recalled. "And my daughter goes, 'Dad, that's 600,000.'
This newfound success was a beacon of light for Hayes and his family, showing how personal expression through music could foster connection and healing.
Now, with "Sober Thoughts," Hayes is more candid than ever about his life's complexities.
"I don't know what the future holds," he said. "And the fact that life, it ends. And if we all really got to see that from, from the front row, it would change our daily lives. We would see clearly what matters."
