Walker Hayes' wife Laney wasn't so sure about one of his songs. Hayes recalls her skepticism about "AA," a song he released shortly after "Fancy Like" went viral. The song says in part, "And I'm just tryna keep my daughters off the pole / And my sons out of jail / Tryin' to get to church so I don't go to Hell." Laney was worried that the polarizing lyrics might be the end of his career just as it was beginning.
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"When I brought this song home, she said, 'You just started making money at this, and now you're gonna get canceled," Hayes recalls. "And I was like, "No, I think there are a lot of people who agree that they don't want their kids to become strippers.' No offense. If you're a stripper, and that's how you're doing it, good on you. But I guarantee you, your dad's never going to visit you at work.
"I swear, every single lyric in this song is 100 percent true, only I think an oil change is more than $35 now," he adds with a laugh.
" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;margin: 1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:99.375%;width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px);width:calc(100% - 2px)">Walker Hayes' Next Musical Chapter
Hayes was with his now-former label, Monument Records, ever since "You Broke Up With Me," out in 2017, became his first hit single at radio. The label sadly announced earlier this month that it was closing. The news leaves Hayes among the artists who are without a record label to call home. Hayes joins Tigirlily Gold, Brandon Ratcliff, Alex Hall and Shelby Lynne in the talented singers who were formerly on Monument Records.
Hayes is grateful for his success. Still, he admits it has little impact on how he approaches his life, at least not anymore.
"It can't make me a better person," Hayes tells Wide Open Country. "I don't sleep any better because I'm not worried about how I'm gonna buy food for my family next week. I guess I'm a little surprised now at how little all the worldly success in the world changes anything for the better. ... Maybe success for me now is just not even thinking about my circumstances. But just thinking about other people and myself less."
Hayes has yet to reveal any plans for a new album, but he will still tour. The father of six is serving as the opening act on Brad Paisley's Truck Still Works Tour. The tour begins next month.
