Walker Hayes

2016–2020: 8Tracks Vol. 1 and 8Tracks Vol. 2 In 2016, Hayes signed a publishing and production deal with Shane McAnally and SMACK/RareSpark, through which he released two extended plays: 8Tracks Vol. 1 and 8Tracks Vol. 2. This was followed by his first single for Monument Records, "You Broke Up with Me". 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.

2021–2024: Country Stuff the Album and New Money 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 and number 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart, becoming Hayes' highest-charting effort to date. 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".

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

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

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." On August 16, 2024, Hayes released "Ball Player", a song intended as an "apology to his kids" about his feelings towards their athletic careers.

On October 11, 2024, Hayes released “5 to 9”, describing the song as “bigger than Fancy Like”.

2025–present: 17 Problems On July 25, 2025, Hayes released "17 Year Old Problems", his first new music of 2025. A few days later on July 28, Hayes announced his fifth studio album, 17 Problems, which released on August 22, 2025. Through country storytelling blended with hip-hop production, the album explores themes of fatherhood, faith, and grief. Hayes calls "Song For My Son," a collaboration with country artist Kane Brown, the "most meaningful track on [the] album." The song is sung from the perspective of a father praying he doesn't pass his old addictions and struggles down to his child.

On October 17, 2025, Hayes embarked on the 18 date "Walker Hayes: Unplugged" tour to support "17 Problems." Stripping back the production and featuring acoustic accompaniment from his son, Baylor, and daughter, Loxley, Hayes outlined the story of his musical and personal life in chronological order through songs spanning his entire career.

On November 20, 2025, Deadline announced that Hayes would appear in a Netflix film adaptation of Katherine Center's novel The Bodyguard.

Personal life He lives in Estill Springs, Tennessee, with his wife, Laney Beville Hayes, and their six children. The couple married in 2004. 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. Hayes is a Christian and has been sober since 2015.

Discography Studio albums Reason to Rhyme (2011) Boom (2017) Country Stuff the Album (2022) New Money (2023) 17 Problems (2025)

Awards and nominations + Award Year Nominee Category Result CMT Music Awards 2018 "You Broke Up with Me" Breakthrough Video of the Year American Music Awards 2021 "Fancy Like" Favorite Country Song Grammy Awards 2022 Best Country Song Kids' Choice Awards 2022 Himself Favorite Breakout Artist Billboard Music Awards 2022 Top Song Sales Artist Top Country Artist Country Stuff the Album Top Country Album "Fancy Like" Top Selling Song Top Viral Song Top Country Song