Walker Hayes: From Atheist to Believer — The Tragedy That Turned His Heart to God

Summary

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The Bobby Bones Show

Episode: Walker Hayes: From Atheist to Believer — The Tragedy That Turned His Heart to God

Date: November 27, 2025
Host: Premiere Networks
Guest: Walker Hayes

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Episode Overview

This moving episode of "The Bobby Bones Show" features country music star Walker Hayes, exploring his spiritual journey from a self-proclaimed atheist to a passionate follower of Jesus. Hayes opens up about a life marked by early disillusionment with religion, struggles with addiction, career setbacks, and, most pivotally, the profound grief of losing his seventh child. Through candid storytelling, Walker reveals how tragedy, unwavering friendship, and grace ultimately led to personal transformation and faith.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Walker’s Early Years and Church Aversion

• Background: Youngest of nine children, Walker grew up in a devout but dysfunctional church environment.

• Church Memories: His earliest impressions of church were strictly negative, associating it with punishment rather than spiritual connection.

  • Quote: "I grew up in church, didn’t like it...I was a pretty crazy kid, last of nine." (06:52)
  • "I couldn’t stand church...My earliest memories...my mom would...beat me in circles. Dude, I was just running, you know?" (07:17)

• Alcohol as Early Crutch:

  • First drank at 13 (Zima; similar to a hard seltzer).
  • Realized alcohol made him confident and became reliant on it for social interaction and performance.
  • "Honestly, it’s a very serious night when I drank that Zima...I got charisma. I was like, this is crazy." (08:31)

2. Nashville Years: Career Setbacks and Isolation

• Music Industry Struggles: Moved to Nashville in 2004; cycles of hope and disappointment with record deals.
• Growing Family, Growing Distance: Regularly pregnant, financial struggles, felt increasingly disconnected from family back home.
• Wife’s Steadfast Faith: Laney, his wife, was always a believer—she prayed for him but let him have his own space.
  • "Laney’s a believer. She knew I would have said I was an atheist. She was cool with that. She prayed a lot for me." (10:26)

3. The Friendship That Changed Everything: Meeting Craig

• Craig’s Unconditional Love:

  • Met Craig and his wife Laura through a church invite from Laney.
  • Initially resisted, finding church off-putting and suspect ("this place looks creepy...probably a cult").
  • "Isn’t God funny that the greeter dude got me, you know?" (03:43, 43:36)

• Craig’s Relentless Kindness:

  • Kept reaching out, inviting, and showing generosity (hosting meals, offering friendship without strings).
  • "Why in the world do they love us so much? That’s a diamond." (15:28)
  • Host notes: "How cool, too, of God to just be like, I’m gonna give you a Craig so I can explain my love in a tangible way." (43:27)

4. Sobriety & Tragedy: The Turning Point

• Sobriety:
  • Miraculous decision to quit drinking at 35: "I truly just thought, hey, if I do this again today, it’s over." (19:07, 22:33)
• Personal Success—Then Devastating Loss:
  • Music career began to improve, but then tragedy struck: Their seventh child, Oakley, did not survive childbirth.
  • "The loss of our daughter—worst day of my entire life...life just stopped." (22:33)
  • "I hated God that I wouldn’t have said existed." (24:58)

Raw Grief and New Self-Awareness

• Walker describes overwhelming anger, confusion, and self-loathing after Oakley’s death.
  • "For the first time, I needed a savior...I was looking in the mirror going, that’s gross. That is who I am, left to my own devices." (27:38)

5. The Path to Faith

• Laney’s Influence & Craig’s Example:
  • Laney references Paul’s transformation; Walker dismisses biblical examples as distant but is searching for a real, modern testimony.
• Book That Spoke to Him:
  • "Secrets of an Unlikely Convert" by Rosario Butterfield was instrumental—he saw his own story mirrored.
• First Steps of Belief:
  • Walker buys a Bible, devours it, and experiences scripture in a completely new, vivid way.
  • "I just devoured it...it’s alive...God taking stone hearts and making them flesh." (31:12)

The Core Message

• Walker’s realization: "I need rescued from me...If you can’t be saved from yourself, we’re screwed." (32:51)
• Publicly accepts Christ with Craig, moved by new vulnerability and transformation.
  • "I told Laney first. I had dinner with Craig and was like, bro, I believe. I want to give my life to Christ." (34:00)

6. After Faith: New Perspective, Joy, and Purpose

• Freed From Performance:

  • No longer defined by career or achievements: "It kind of released me from the slavery of music, the slavery of performance." (36:53)
  • Finds joy and meaning in relationships, family, creative work, and even the mundane.
  • "There’s a lot of beautiful things that just happen on a daily basis...just the normal stuff is pretty amazing." (66:46)

• Becoming 'Craig' To Others:

  • Now seeks to emulate unconditional love, especially to kids he coaches.
  • "When you see a kid and they’re meeting Jesus...I’m just, I’m here to witness it." (51:34)
  • Meet-and-greets and fans share their own stories of sobriety because of him.

• Message to Listeners:

  • For anyone restless or struggling: "He knows. You’re not alone." (60:42)
  • Urges dependency on Jesus rather than career or human affirmation: "Just seek first the kingdom of God." (57:04)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Early Resentment and Transformation:

  • "Don’t give me another billboard with a Jesus thing...Isn’t God funny that the greeter dude got me?" — Walker Hayes (03:16, 43:36)
  • "The worst pain I ever felt...is the most valuable thing I think I’ll probably have on this earth." (03:16, 36:53)
  • "For the first time, I needed a Savior...I need rescued from me." (27:38, 32:51)

• On Friendship & Unconditional Love:

  • "Craig adopted me basically, and that’s what God does through Christ...that’s how we get in the fam." (43:36)

• On Relatable Weakness:

  • "Everyone can relate to weakness, but everyone wants to hide it." (40:35)
  • "I’ll boast in my weakness, because in my weakness, he’s strong." (40:35)

• On Joy and Purpose:

  • "There’s a lot of beautiful things that just happen on a daily basis...Life’s kind of crazy." (66:46)

• On Family & Legacy:

  • "I just want them to rely on Jesus and Him alone. That’s it." (57:04)
  • "I hope when I die...they’d say, 'He really wanted to love Jesus with everything he had.'" (57:50)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [06:52] – Walker’s childhood, early aversion to church, first experiences with alcohol
• [13:00] – Move to Nashville, family struggles, disconnect, and “the Nashville grind”
• [14:45] – Meeting Craig, first impressions, and developing friendship
• [19:07 / 22:33] – Sobriety and then the tragedy of losing Oakley
• [24:58] – Processing grief, anger at God, and self-confrontation
• [29:40] – Laney’s support, books that inspired faith, seeing testimonies as transformative
• [31:12] – First Bible encounter as an adult, new view on scripture and faith
• [34:00] – Public acceptance of Christianity, emotional dinner with Craig
• [36:53] – How faith shifted Walker’s identity and anxiety about achievement
• [51:34] – Walker as a mentor and friend to others (becoming “a Craig”)
• [57:04] – Lessons Walker hopes his children learn from his faith journey
• [60:42] – Message for restless listeners: “He knows. You’re not alone.”
• [62:24] – New perspective on music as worship and as freedom
• [66:46] – Appreciation for the beauty in daily life, ordinary things, and joy

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Tone & Style

The conversation is candid, humorous, and deeply vulnerable—punctuated by laughter, authenticity, and reverence. Walker oscillates between humility and raw honesty, bringing depth and hope to loss, addiction, and faith.

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Conclusion

Walker Hayes’s testimony on The Bobby Bones Show stands as a raw, hope-filled account of how grace, authentic relationships, and devastating loss can spark transformation. His journey underscores the power of persistent love, honest community, and reliance on something greater than oneself—a story that resonates far beyond the borders of faith.

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For more moving guest stories and candid discussions, subscribe to 'The Bobby Bones Show' and download the daily full replay.

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Transcript

[Podcast Host]

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[Walker Hayes]

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[Co-host/Interviewer]

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[Walker Hayes]

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[Walker Hayes]

Hey, y', all, this is Walker Hayes. The worst pain I ever felt. It's the most valuable thing I think I'll probably have on this earth. Don't give me another billboard with a Jesus thing about if or where are you going today if you die? You know, like, yeah, I know the verse, you know, this place looks creepy. It's probably a cult, you know, And I was like, we should tell somebody where we are before they kidnap us. Isn't God funny that the greeter dude got me, you know, God wanted the world to hear about Zima.

[Podcast Host]

It's like a wine, you know, what is.

[Walker Hayes]

No, other than that. What is. What's the hope, you know, if you can't be saved from yourself, we're screwed. And this is the upload. This is a new. Yeah, a new thing.

[Podcast Host]

This is a new thing.

[Walker Hayes]

Where. Where this come from?

[Podcast Host]

We want to have conversations about not just, just the person on the stage, but, yeah, our person on the stage. So we're excited to have a conversation with you about. Because, I mean, your story is insane.

[Walker Hayes]

It's nuts. Yeah, it's hard to podcast it up, you know, it. Honestly, I talked to so many people and I always feel like I just gave them the kind of the nuggets, the sound bites, you know, but then new ones pop up sometimes and, and I love telling it, though. I mean, my story is crazy.

[Podcast Host]

Testimonies in general. People need to hear it because. And no matter how many times you tell it, it doesn't get old.

[Walker Hayes]

It does. Yeah, it's interesting. That's a great point because you know, my. One of my best friends, Craig, I mean, I could hear his. I mean he says all the time and honestly, boring is not the word, but like he didn't have like a car crash or a drinking problem. You know, he, he. His is a cool testimony but like I'm always am like, oh, here he goes again. And in two minutes I'm like tearing up, you know, and I' like, I don't know, it's kind of a.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

It's like the scripture, like the Bible. Every time I'm like, David and Goliath, here we go again. You know, it's like. But when Paul says Timothy, all scriptures, God breathed. I think about that, about our testimonies, you know, and your story, my story, our story is like, could it be the same way that it's God breathed? That it's not? Because its intent isn't just to understand a principle, but also to tether to a heart that's flu. Like each person's different. So every time it's going to land differently by the Holy Spirit, it's God breathed. And so I, I think that's fascinating that it can take on different forms because it's meant for other hearts.

[Walker Hayes]

Right.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

And everyone's got a different lock or like shape or like where they're at right now. And so I, I love that, bro. And I think that's even just more confirmation in for me. It's like, this is a God story. This isn't just a, you know, incy wincy spider climbed up the water spout kind of story. This is a God breathe story. And we were just talking about the things that you've just on a top line level. And I was listening to a song on the way here about. I drove past my local bar and slowed down a little. I think you wrote recently. And I was like, that hit me on a different level right now. Where I'm at. Just like that is something personal for me. I think a lot of people have felt that you drove past the liquor store and you just like looked a bit longer. And I just think it's that freedom reminder that I was meant to hear that in that moment.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

And so tell us a little bit. Give us open up the story. We've set the tone. The God breathed testimony.

[Walker Hayes]

Oh my goodness.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Where do we begin?

[Podcast Host]

Walker Hayes is on the podcast, by the way. Everybody, man.

[Walker Hayes]

Lord help. I mean, I'll do, I'll do my best. I grew up in church, didn't like it always was getting in trouble and it was always kind of associated with that. You know, I was a pretty crazy kid, last of nine. My dad was an ex music minister, gone to selling real estate. Like he had made $0 his whole life until he was like 41. And then he started selling real estate and he just got hooked. You know, we were in church, dude, Sunday morning, Sunday night, we had a key to the blasted place. I mean it was like, yeah, mom was decorating it all the, you know. But my earliest memories of church was this old lady that used to keep me while my parents had choir practice. When my mom and dad would pick me up, I would see her whisper like he was running or he was like, whatever. And dude, going home was the worst. You know, my mom would like get dad's belt and beat me in circles, you know, and it was like, dude, I was just running, you know, what's the deal? But I couldn't stand church. I mean, it just. No, I enjoyed the friendships. Drank my first Zima with high school buddies when I was 13. Church buddies, you know, we were at a playground hanging out after.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

What is the Zima? I feel really okay. I'm Australian. My Australian show.

[Walker Hayes]

God wanted the world to hear about Zima.

[Podcast Host]

It's like a wine cooler situation.

[Walker Hayes]

So you're not, I mean, no, no.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

I'm like 37 myself.

[Walker Hayes]

It was like, it's kind of like hard seltzer. Before seltzer was think like, like a.

[Podcast Host]

Wine cooler esque vibe.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

It's like, it's not an Aussie thing.

[Walker Hayes]

It's an alcohol. Maybe it is Sprite, basically. And you could put a Jolly Rancher in it and it would like flavor. So anyway, I found. So, so I, I. Early on in childhood, I developed a hatred for anything church. And I developed a, a crutch on, on alcohol early because honestly, it's a very serious night when I, when I drank that Zima. I know this sounds hilarious, but there was a girl there that I was nervous to talk to and just. Shy kid, you know, I'm 13. I'm kind of like still growing, you know, and, and I don't know how to talk to girl. I know how to be stupid. But you know, I drank that Zima and I went from I'm not going to talk to that girl to hey, what's up? How are you tonight? You know? Oh, yeah. And I was like, dude, I'm. I got charisma, you know, I was like, this is crazy. And, and I mean immediately, you know, every weekend, every party, any nervous situation, any talent show, any high school play. I mean, I, I leaned on alcohol to perform. Even showed up at some soccer games with a buzz, ran some cross country, did awesome with a little buzz, you know, from the night before. Carried over. But so I started leaning on alcohol. My wife and I, we moved to Nashville. Fast forward a little bit or this will literally get like six hours long. I, I married Laney in 2004. We came to Nashville Started doing the songwriting thing. My goal was to write songs that famous people sang. I got a couple record deals. Those felt good, you know, it felt good for people to like me, but then I would get dropped and so kind of getting beat up. Meanwhile, at home, we're kind of getting used to the. Disdain is a strong word, but, like, the distance between here and mobile just got further, you know, as far as friends and family, because we weren't making a lot of sense. We were having kids all the time. I mean, every time we called home, we were pregnant. But I never had anything to write home about as far as music or career wise. So definitely kind of began to feel like a loser there. Still drinking. Laney's a believer. Always has been. She. And I never really thought about that. You know, she knew I would have said I was an atheist. She was cool with that. You know, she. She wasn't. Like, she prayed a lot for me, and I would. I would go with her to a church occasionally. Didn't, like, want to. I wasn't like, oh, let's go. You know?

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Walker Hayes]

But I was like, hey, you know, this is your thing. You do my thing, you know? But then we had kids, and then we would start arguing a little bit more. It became a little tougher for us to coexist like that, you know, she would. She would do the Noah's Ark, and I'd be like, I don't know if there was an ark, you know? You know, and I. I would try to be respectful, but there's also this kind of resentment that happens, and you've.

[Podcast Host]

Got your own hurt.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah, like, little passive aggressive stuff. And the, like, stake on the plate of my testimony is kind of involves two things. One, a friend named Craig, and then two, the loss of our seventh child. So I met Craig about 12 years ago. I was working at Costco and just doing that to just make some money and kind of support the fan, you know, the family. We had. We need clothes, we need food, etc. I just gotten dropped by Capitol Records, and we were down to one car because I had a. I had a van with. It was like an endorsement deal. And I hid the fact that I got dropped from that dealership, but they eventually found out that I was no longer assigned Nashville recording artists, and they. They kind of repossessed the van. They came and took it. And so we were in this. Where we just had a Honda and I had a job. I mean, I was grateful, you know, and we're still in Nashville doing the thing, but I'M at Costco, and Lenny gets invited to this church and she gets invited by a woman named Laura. Laura is Craig's wife. Didn't know Craig at the time. I didn't. Just didn't want to go to this church, you know. And Laney knows why. Laney knows every reason why. She was very nice. She wasn't like, oh, we didn't about it that night. I just was like, do we have, you know, I said, I even said, hey, I thought we were done with this, like, let's find a community thing, you know, Like, I, I, I, I thought it was over and I didn't have to deal with that. And she drove me to this church on a Saturday night and I had a good, I, it was Saturday night, had a good buzz. I was happy during football season. And I remember sitting in the passenger seat saying, hey, this place looks creepy. Is probably a cult, you know. And I was like, we should tell somebody where we are before they kidnap us. And she laughed. Even she laughed. She was like, that is funny because this place is dark and it is scary and it's out in the middle of nowhere and it wasn't well lit up. So we walk in, I had a really routine thing like, look, we're, we're, we're like 15 years into Nashville. Okay. I've been asked 1 billion times, what do you do while I'm a singer, songwriter. Have you written anything we know? No. And then it just, it's like crickets. Yeah.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Walker Hayes]

It's such a weird. So, so what I would do is always hold the baby. Because if you hold the youngest and they're asleep, you're just like, you know, don't, so you don't get, you don't have to do the song and dance thing. Yeah. And so I walk in and I walk in and I'm whole. I think I'm holding Loxley. At the time, she was our, our fifth. And we walk in and, man, Craig just, he doesn't care. He's just like so loud. He. And, and just, dude, I'm glad you're here. You came. I mean, that's exactly what he sounds like. I mean, just huge eyes. He is elated. He's beside himself. And, and he told me later, he says, you know, you ask a lot of people to come, but nobody does. Which I found interesting. I was like, yeah, I guess that is true. Like, you ask a lot of people to come to a Bible study or church or whatever. And they're like, sure, you know, and probably the majority of response. You never see those people again, or they don't bring it up. But he just. He swears, he's like, I just was genuinely jacked that I asked you to come and you showed up. But I thought, dude, just. He's a greeter, you know, he's just a really enthusiastic greeter. He's jacked about his job, and he's been waiting on this forever, you know. So it's tiny church, and he's glad we're there. And we start hanging with Craig. Okay, so everything I've told you, Laney and I, we have both isolated ourselves from society generally. We're a weird family. You know, we're pretty young looking, you know, but kids. Everywhere we walk, everybody, you know, turns in. Every restaurant we walk in, walking into this church, the whole place turned around. Every car we get out of, it's like, oh, my God, a kid. Just continue, you know, and we. We were just in our. On our own little bubble. And we were used to people being like, those people are crazy. And especially with our families, you know, they just didn't understand what we were doing. It just didn't make sense to them. So when a guy like Craig, who's totally opposite of me, he's somewhere today in a pair of nice khakis selling something, and he looks like the guy, you're like, dude, I want to be a family like that guy. He's probably driving a cool car, you know, his wife has her stuff together. Their house is clean. He's in a different land. So to see a guy like that never stop knocking on my door, I honestly, after a couple years, I vividly remember a conversation with my wife that I look back on, and I'm like, man, that's a special thing. But I remember leaving their house one night, which was. It looked way different than our, you know, and they did. They came to our house, but they fed us a lot. And, you know, Laura would make cookies and, like, we could eat everything we wanted, you know, they knew we had a big family, and they knew I ate a lot. It just was. The food was plentiful at their house. And I remember leaving one night and I was. I was kind of, you know, I was a little tipsy. And I remember saying to Laney, I remember the intersection where I was at, and I said, why in the world do they love us so much? And when I look back on that statement, I know it's like, you really not a lot of people on life on Earth, on your little tiny existence here. That's Kind of like a. I mean, that's like a. That's a diamond. Like, that's a. Who gets to say that once in their life? Like, whoever just stops and can think of one person besides your mom and go, dude, I don't get it. Why does the do. Why? Why? I don't understand. And the reason we don't understand, I don't think, is because I don't do that either. Like, I have. I have. I have expectations for people where I go, I don't know if you're a little bit this. Nah. Could you maybe get out of my little. Little bubble area? Because I don't know if I want you around my kid. You know, you drink a lot, you got long hair, you're kind of weird. You work at Costco. Your songs are kind of, like, not amazing, but you wrote another one today. You know, like, I just wasn't used to that. And by the way, I think that it's. It's. It's interesting now. I didn't know this then, but when I asked that question, that's kind of what I think of Christ, of God every day, you know? Yeah. Why do you. Why do you love us this much? You know, will we ever. I don't really know if we'll ever under. You know, I mean, you can learn a lot from scripture and you can. You can embrace God's love, but you can't. I don't think you can really. Like, there's not an end to it. Like, it's an. It's an eternal love that you'll never really like. Get to a. It. Is this why you know? And you'll go, oh, okay, I get it. I see why you. But. So Craig's loving on me, and I eventually quit drinking. It was miraculous. Just woke up one day. I was 35. Woke up, and I thought I was going to die. I truly just thought, hey, if I do this again today, it's over.

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[Walker Hayes]

One day turned 22 turn into a week, week turned into a month. That was insane. And then I told you, the loss of our daughter, incredible experience. Very, very sad. Obviously. Worst day of my entire life. My career actually had a little, like, umph. You know, after I met Craig, I had a little. Little. I caught a hit. It's called you Broke Up With Me. And honestly, I'm not a believer then, but I'm like, okay, dude, you know, everybody's gonna know, you know, And. And, yeah, it was a little arrogant moment for me, you know, I was like, dude, shazams. You know, is. Started feeling good, and we kind of get on this, like, path where bills are paid, and we're like, dude, more kids. Bring it on, you know, And Lani's pregnant with our seventh at the time, and, you know, still kind of hanging with Craig and stuff and enjoying the fruits of success, embracing it, you know, I was supposed to sing on the CMT Awards, and I was like, man, finally, do I get some TV time? And I was just gonna crush it. Laney goes into Labor. It was June 6, and we lose the baby.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

She.

[Walker Hayes]

She carried Oakley longer than any child we've ever had. So we were just. We were very overconfident. We were just like, dude, we know how I could deliver this kid, you know? And then she goes into labor, and life just stopped. I mean, life just. I mean, it hurt. That's the only way, you know? I think. I think everything up until my life ever that I'd ever experienced a heartbreak, a loss of a grandparent, dreams being crushed, Those paled in comparison to the emptiness of being in the room. You know, when the doctor comes in and says, hey, you know, we delivered your baby. It's a girl. And, you know, that's supposed to be a congratulatory. And it was like. And we tried to resuscitate, and we couldn't. And, you know, I'm like, mathing those, you know, words, and I'm thinking, honestly, I mean, this sounds crazy. But my thoughts were, what do you do with the dead? Like, I was like, do you hold. Do you hold a dead baby? Do you take a picture of a dead baby? Do you meet your dead baby without the mom of the dead? But, you know, and I'm dead baby Sounds weird, but that's just all I. That's all I was doing that day was, what are you supposed to do? Do you. I was like, do you bury a dead baby? What. Do you. Do you name a dead kid? You know, I. These all just these weird and Then the. The doctor came in and said, you, wife is still bleeding. We're going to try to stop it. And then I'm. And then I'm. Then I go to doomsday, where I. Selfishly, I'm not. I mean, I'm not thinking about how Lanny feels. I'm not thinking about how my kids will feel. I'm thinking about what does a dude do who's an artist with a C minus career do without a wife and. And. But with six kids, you know, I'm just like, oh, goodness. And I'm not saying oh, my Lord, because I don't believe the Lord exists, you know, at this time. And so we get through that. Lainey. They eventually get Laney's bleeding to stop, which the doctor says, she's like, I literally wrote down. I don't know how. You know, that's kind of miraculous. And then the day we buried Oakley was a. It was a day I'll never forget. But it was when, you know, I think I kind of described it the other day. This was a helpful way of me articulating it because my vocabulary is not incredible, but it's almost like at this point in life, my knee was like. I feel that it might have been beginning to bow to. Maybe not like, praise God, but maybe to yell at something up there, if that makes any sense. And the day we buried Oakley, I remember the service was such a mixture of confusion and emotions because I hated God that I wouldn't have said existed. And Laney, out of respect for Laney, I had Craig and Laura be there and do somewhat of a service now. Yeah, there's a box. It goes in the ground. Me and my sons put dirt on it. And again, mind you, even when I'm telling this story, it's all my this, my that, my that. When after that service, I can't explain just the. I was just furious, just so furious at religion, at the heat, at my sobriety. My job felt so stupid. Any. Any consoling effort from anyone, it did the opposite. It made me even like Laney's parents. Anything they said, I wanted to pick them up and just throw them as far as I could. I just. I felt like, so angry. And so I was just gonna go nuts. And so I got in my car, I just left my house, went to downtown Franklin and opened my door to go into a bar, and my wallet wasn't in the door. And so I shut the door, drove back to my house. And when I got to the house, I can see this too, clear I wish I could forget this and have come to this in a different way, but I looked into the window of our door and on a yellow couch that we had is my wife, my best friend, the one human who will not allow me to push her away. I mean, I can just be pressing as hard as I can in all of my fury and flaws, and she will not allow me to push her away. Or if I do, she'll just come knock on the door, you know. And so there she is all by herself on the day she buried her daughter. And I don't know where my kids are. And I was just going to take a heap of problems and just dump them on the chaotic mess that we were already buried in. I mean, we just. You know what I'm saying? And it, and. And for the first time, I needed a savior. I didn't say it or like read a Bible that night, but I just, I just kind of was like, honestly, I was like looking in the mirror going, man, that's gross. That's gross. And honestly, you got a lot of people when that's happening, saying, hey, you have a right to feel this way. Hey, I don't blame you for this. But I'm looking in the mirror going, that's nasty. And that is who I am, left to my own devices. And then I just dwelled on that for many, many months. I remember beginning to have conversations with Laney, saying, I'm sorry. Actually, she found me an AA meeting that night, and it was insane. It saved. That was a life saving meeting. But on the next few months, I eventually got back on the road and was not a satisfying endeavor. You know, it's. Life was really dim. And that now I embrace that dim. I'm like, that's exciting. Like there's something else. But at that point, it was kind of a sad dim, like an empty dim. I wouldn't say suicidal, but why am I, what am I doing dim? And I would ask Lainey, I would, I would beg her, hey, please, Lainey, please give me an example of someone who is renewed on this earth because of the son, because of the Messiah, the Son of God. You know, almost in like, in a serious way. But. But I'm not like saying it in the most respectful way, but I am communicating it to my wife. And she would say one night she said, what about Paul? You know, she's like, paul was killing people, you know, and dude turned like literally 180 on the road to Damascus, you know. And I was like, I mean, the guys in the Manual, you know, I was like, it doesn't. That doesn't count. It's not the same, you know, you can't just be like, hey, well, there's this book, you know, I know. There's the book. I'm talking. I'm talking about, like, real life. And she recommended a book that a friend gave her. And I recommend this book to anybody. It's called Secrets of an Unlikely Convert. And it's about a girl, a woman, named Rosario Butterfield. And her testimony is bonkers. But in the weirdest way, our testimonies were literally the same. My knee just hadn't hit the ground yet. You know what I mean? Like, and she dealt with the same. The hypocrisy thing, you know, she talks about driving to a church and feeling the bulletin and having anxiety and leaving, you know, And. And. But she talks about a friend, and I think her friend was named Ken, so he's basically Craig, you know, And. And anyway, I mean, it's crazy. They're. They are. They're like word for word, except she just surrendered, you know, and she was. She's different. I mean, there's the difference. And it's like she's one way and now she's different. And so the next day, I came in on a bus, snuck in a bookstore in Cool Springs. I bought a Bible and just devoured it. I mean, just ate it up. Read it in a new. Like you were saying, it's kind of like liquid. It's new. It's like it's alive. It. It. You know, I used to be told growing up as a hero, dare to be a Daniel, you know? But when I read it, I was like, no, Daniel's an idiot. You know? Like, all these people. It's about humans being humans. God taking stone hearts, making them flesh and new and seeing redemption, and then they may mess up again. And then Peter denies Christ, but then Peter starts the church, you know, and it's like, it's just constantly God making amazing stuff that's meant for evil, making it good. And again, back to the me seeing myself clearly. For once in my life, I wasn't. Hey, man, this really hurt. That childhood thing really broke me. Hey, I need this. It was. No, no, no, no, no. I don't need rescuing from, like, monsters under the bed or hurricanes or. I don't need a hit song. I don't need somebody to get me. I need somebody to put me in, like, a heavenly straight jacket and make sure I don't screw it all up. I need rescued from this right here, this dude, this is the worst. Everything else, whatever, but it's that I need help from me. And that is what happened on the cross, you know? And it's like, other than that, what's the hope, you know, if you can't be saved from yourself, we're screwed, you know, we just are. It's just. And so, yeah, I actually had dinner with Craig. Told Laney first. I had dinner with Craig and was like, bro, I believe. I believe it all. I want to give my life to Christ. He wants my heart. I want him to have it. And we were joy. We cried, pray. He went to the bathroom, got on his knees and just praised God. And we've been walking together with Lord since he's about. He's a brother, like a real, real life brother. And I think I'm blessed. That's rare, you know, that's really rare to me. Relationships are super valuable and relationships like that with Craig, I mean, I didn't have one of those. And I'm not sure I ever expected to have one of those in my life again. Last of nine kids. Unfortunately, I don't. I'm not that way with my own blood, you know, Wish I was, but, you know, it'd be weird if I called one of them. Maybe I need to clean that up, you know, have some, you know, mercy on, some. Somebody and then me. But yeah, me and Craig were just. Were great. And it changed my life, man. I mean, yeah, just. And that was only. Look, dude, I mean, I'm a five year old believer, so I'm still in like vacation Bible school. I mean, I'm learning. I am, dude. I'm. I'm still learning every day. And just when I think, just when I get on that lofty like, bro. Yeah. You know, I'm like, oh, but I.

[Podcast Host]

Think it's so cool how you take your story of literal bottom of the pit broken.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Like I'm over here in tears thinking about, I have two little girls.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

And like, what one little small thing that could have happened to change that? And how honest and raw you are about those feelings in that room of how you weren't thinking of anybody else. You were thinking of me.

[Walker Hayes]

That gross. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

It's not though. I feel like that's the human reaction. And there's people in the world that are dealing with something similar or the exact same thing that are like, you know, I'm gross.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

And your story and the redemption behind it is gonna change and probably has changed so many people's lives. So I just want to say from this side looking in, I'm just grateful that you're willing to be open and share such hard things.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah, well, thanks. No, I mean, honestly, that you're gonna make me cry, but, yeah, the. I don't know how to. I mean, again, I actually. Honestly, man, I'm so captivated by the Lord. You know, as soon as I met Jesus, there was a lot of, like, what do I do now? What's different? You know, it was like, oh. You know, honestly, it kind of released me from the slavery of music, the slavery of performance in general. It did. It set those change. And I was like, well, what are we doing? You know? I was like, where are we going, God? You want to go to Rwanda where you wait, you know, I want to do. Which is funny. That's a human to me going, let's do something sexy, man. Let's go to, like, the doctor and build houses or what? You know? And then I was. And then I was like, well, I don't. I'm not going anywhere. Like, I'm still. You know, I'm still right here. But Fancy, like, you know, came along and I was like, well, I guess you want me to sing about Applebee. You know, I. I even. I even. I even did, like. I even audited a seminary class for, like, a week and was like, dude, maybe. Maybe I'm a preacher, bro. And I was like. I was like, I don't really like to read that much, you know, but when fancy, like, come. Comes along, you know, that. That's been a burden. I mean, it's an amazing burden, but it's nothing compared to that. Losing Oakley. And in the weirdest way, I don't know how to describe it, but the worst. The worst pain I ever felt. It's the most valuable thing I think I'll probably have on this earth. Unless, you know, God forbid, another circumstance crush. Like, I pray. I don't. You know, but in. In the weirdest way, if you were like, how you're going to have. And grab one thing. I mean, I'm leaving Nashville. I'm leaving my house. I mean, no offense, kids, and why. But I'm leaving that. I'm bringing that. I'm bringing what made the knee bow.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Walker Hayes]

Because. Because that's where I needed to get, you know, That's. That's where I was born to be is both knees down, face down. Come on, bro, in. In front of the Messiah, you know, and so. Yeah, I know that doesn't. I. I think there's A lot of people probably hear that, and they're like, this dude is insane. But I. I don't know. I think Laney would feel the same. Yeah. She'd be like, peace walking. I'm grabbing that moment because that's when we knew our savior. I mean, that's. That's. That's. That's where we met him.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

It's so powerful, man. I. And so real. And I think, just like you were saying, it's the pole. Like, your wife saying, there's Paul. Look at Paul. I see Paul in you, bro. Like, I see the boasting of the thorn of the struggle, the weakness, the pain, the. Like, his grace. Everything that you're saying, your story, your life, points to his grace. Like, dude, and that's beautiful. And I think it's not only just beautiful and potent, it's real for all of us. Doesn't matter if you're a preacher, a singer. Costco, man. I used to work at Big W, which is an Australian.

[Walker Hayes]

Is that like, Australian? Costco.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Costco. It's exactly what it is. Big Dubs, man.

[Walker Hayes]

That should be my new nickname, Big Dubs.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

It's before Big Dubs and L's and dubs were, like, popular popular. So it's kind of, like, ahead of its time. But that was my story. And I remember, like, going out and. Oh, dude, I just. I think back to. Everybody can relate to weakness, but everyone wants to hide it. Everyone can relate to pain, but everyone wants to just talk about the good times. And Paul says, I'll boast in my weakness, because in my weakness, he's strong. And that when we look like, I just love. And that when you're telling your story, you're like, man, I was at this place. You gotta understand, it's the highs, but the lows are where the grace of God changed my life. I'll take the. I'll take. Like. I'm grateful for the highs. I'm grateful for the mountaintops, but the valleys where the fruit grows, where the life change happened. Where I met Jesus on my knees like that, bro, that'll. You are a preacher, my friend. You preach with a testimony of Jesus's grace for your life. And. And I think back as I'm listening to your story, the moment where you were in the car pre all this, I'm assuming you can help me. Maybe where this was in the timeline, but when you said to your wife, why does this guy love me so much?

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Where was that in the timeline of just that awakening to God that was.

[Walker Hayes]

Prior to losing, you know, Oakley. I mean, I was drunk that night. I mean, I remember I was riding in the passenger seat. So Laney was driving us home from their neighborhood in Franklin. So, I mean, that was. Yeah, you know, again, it took me a good hot minute, you know, to get there. But that. I agree with you. There's a song called Craig. And in that, you can hear that song and you can go, I mean, I even hear it and I'm like, bro, an atheist wrote that. Like, that dude's heart's kind of soft. Like, he's. He's one. He's thinking, he's confused. He's confused by the supernatural love of Christ, you know, he. I was. And that, like you said, I'll never forget asking that question because I was. Prior to this, in meeting Craig, I was a very like, don't let them see your inquisitive side of, you know, stand up. Stand up against this movement, you know? You know what I'm saying? And so for me to, like, slip up and go, I don't get it. Why. Why does he. Why can he love me like that? Like, I was like, what's the catch? What's going to happen? You know? And how.

[Podcast Host]

How cool, too, of God to just be like, I'm gonna give you a Craig so I can explain my love in a very tangible way for you to open your eyes to it. Really.

[Walker Hayes]

It. You know, when like. Like when I. Like when I just make eye contact with, like, one of my sons and we're both, like, thinking an inside joke, and I just walk up to him and, like, I just kind of, like, hug him and I'm just like. And he laughs. That's what I feel like God does to me when someone like you reminds me. Because remember, this all started with I hate church. I hate church people. I hate anything. I hate. I hate life way. I hate. You know what I mean? It was just. Oh, my Lord, don't say the church, please. Don't, don't, don't give me another billboard with a Jesus thing about if. Or where are you going today if you die? You know? Like, I mean, it was like. Yeah, I know the verse, you know, it was like. And. And isn't God funny that the greeter dude got me? You know, it's like, it's so funny. It's like that humors me in the weirdest way. You know, it's like, of all people, it's this bi vocational preacher guy named Craig who gave us a Chrysler, you know, it's like, it's, it's, it's awesome. But Craig adopted me basically, and that's what God does through Christ, you know, that's how we get in the fam. And you know, when you adopt somebody, you know everything, you know them and you love them. And when they slam the door, you know why? And that's why you go knock, you know, you just love them. And that's what Craig. I think I probably tried to push Craig away, you know, and he didn't go anywhere. That's hard. That's hard to do that again. That's why it's so rare. Like, you and I, we're all talking this, but I'm sure we could all think of people where we're like, like we feel God going, that dude needs love. But we're like, I know, but like, have you smelled his breath? Or you're like, oh man, he's pretty annoying. You know? You know what I mean? And that's human. That's. But Craig didn't do that. Like, it's the weirdest. And Craig doesn't do that to everybody. He's not like some type of angel, you know, that's another thing. But he knew me and he loved me. And that was so rare. I never, I never tasted that.

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[Co-host/Interviewer]

That's so it's by that kind of love. Jesus says that you'll know that that you're my disciple. And I think that we all have an appointment set by God to love people in a way that's not transactional, conditional. That breaks through even though this is what I find it hard to believe. Like, I'll do it as long as like people like yeah, yeah, yeah. But as soon as you're like nah. I'm like, okay, respectfully, like, fair enough. Like I got places to be anyway, I tried God, I ticked the box. But for like, it's deeply confronting and encouraging at the same time. And it doesn't make me feel bad or it, it stirs me up, bro. To know that Craig, like encouraged me deeply that he didn't even see the seeds of fruit in you or the signs of fruit. In fact. The signs. Yeah, the signs of fruit. It was kind of like resistance.

[Walker Hayes]

It was.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

And that's. So I look at things where I feel resistance right now in my own life with loving people and I'm like, where can I press in? Yeah, a little bit more. Not, not out of trying to even outcome focus, but just out of like the overflow of God. This is something you've called me to do regardless, to keep that appointment to love people. Well, regardless of whether I'm feeling it reciprocating, the chemistry is there that's deeply challenging and I think potent that that is the backbone of the seed.

[Walker Hayes]

That one encouraging thing about my testimony that I try to express to any believers who will listen is I just don't think anybody knew, you know, as much as my wife knows me and as much as Craig knew me, you just don't know. You don't know how close the Lord's hand and their hand is. You just really don't. And it might be on the one yard line, but it doesn't seem like that, you know, and so there's that. That causes me to think of a few people that I just genuine. That I just do love. And honestly, I forget I'm with them in life and I'm doing life with them and I'm not. Not. I'm not. Hey, would you like to read some scripture with me today? You know, but I'm, but I'm. The initial intent was, man, I would love, I would love to see their new believer. Like, what, what does this dude look like when he found Jesus? Like, I, I just want to see that day so bad. But you never know. You just don't know what it's going to happen. But yeah, awesome.

[Podcast Host]

Are there people in your life that you feel like you can be a Craig too? Or maybe that you feel like you're that for them.

[Walker Hayes]

When honestly it is a very emotional thing for me. Like for instance, maybe some of my kids friends when I, I coach basketball. And that'll make, that'll make me tear up, man. When you see a kid and they're meeting Jesus and you're forgetting to like be all about the hoops, you know, and you're, you know, you're working on their defensive stance, but you see like growth. Like you see a man, you see a boy, a young man meeting Christ That's. That's pretty insane. Especially in a. In a great. Just such gratitude to go, God. God, that's cool that I. That I'm just. I'm here to witness it. You know what I mean? That. It. Something kind of went down in my house or, you know, dude, meet and greets. I know this sounds like, cheesy and transactional or whatever, but when I. You know, when somebody walks up with the glad you're here book and they say, you know, they say, I'm 27 days sober, you know, And I. You know, I was a lot like you, and I. I walked in church the other day.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Walker Hayes]

I'm like, bro, I'll see you in heaven, man. That's crazy. That's insanity. You know, there's the. There's the. Like, we've dealt a lot. How do I say this? Like, we've given people cars, but it doesn't feel. It feels a little like, hey, we gave somebody a car, you know? But I do think of them and go, I'm so glad. I'm so glad they have a clean car, you know, because I know. I know what it's like to have that burden lifted. And so I love things like that. But, yeah, man, anytime I see I just told you a part of my story, you can only imagine when I see God doing good works through me, my. My wife, my kids, my family, I'm really humbled. I'm. I'm really like, man, I didn't see this coming. I didn't. I didn't expect this. Like, it would have been enough. Yeah. Like, it's. It's amazing.

[Podcast Host]

I feel like I just want to encourage you, too, because I feel like when you're talking about the meet and greets, you're like, I know this sounds weird.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

This might sound transactional, but, like, how cool that God trusted you.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

The walker who was drinking himself to death working at Costco.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Hating him and being very vocal about it. He trusted you to lead people to Christ.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

That is.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

That's amazing.

[Walker Hayes]

I mean, what a tall. Yeah. That. Does it get any, Like. I mean, that's. That's. That's the amazing part of the process is definitely watching that happen. And also, you guys need to talk to Craig, man. Craig, Craig, Craig. This is insane. I did not know this about the song till. Till we wrote the book. Glad you're here. But, Craig, this astounds me. It kind of breaks my heart for ministers and believers in general, but Craig had just begged the Lord that day Pleaded with the Lord, cried out to the Lord, what impact am I having? Like, and then that night, my wife actually sent the Craig song because I was like, I don't know, man. It's weird to write a song about a dude and send it. Like, he's gonna freak out when he opens his email. And I wrote a song called Craig, you know, and she sent it to him. And in his despair, I mean, he was on a date with his wife, pouring out his inadequacy, and she said, I think we need to listen to this. And Craig and the song Craig came on in the car, which is basically saying, man, I don't know anything about this dude, but I know he knows. I know he might know Jesus. And so that was cool. Like, that was a whole nother. That was like another testimony going on at the same time that I didn't even know. And of course, Craig's got to be going, God, you're using an atheist to love on me. This is bonker, you know, and he tells it, you know, way better than me. But, yeah, see, man, just again, the miracle that. I mean, imagine how Paul must have felt, like he got to start the whole frigging shebang, you know? That's crazy. What a turn of events, you know, like, that's insane. But, yeah, that's. That's such a. To me, that's like. Like a. A reoccurring completion of the testimonial sentence somehow. It's like, bam. See, I told you. Bam. See, I told you. You know what I mean? To see those around you just falling in love with Jesus, it's. It's insane.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah. And I feel like going back to you saying, you know, kids, basketball teams, these kids.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

You got six kids.

[Walker Hayes]

I do, yeah.

[Podcast Host]

When it comes to you being a leader in your home.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

You know, leading them to Jesus. And what is something you want your kids to learn from your faith and your faith journey and. And just where you are, like, what are. What are you hoping your kids take away from that?

[Walker Hayes]

Just sheer dependency. That's it. I don't. I don't. I don't want them to, like, I don't want them to. I just want them to rely on Jesus and. And him alone. That's it. Nothing. You know, I think my kids have a 10. I've noted, as they get older, you know, they're. Where am I going to go? What am I going to do? What am I going to do for a job? Will I be successful? Will I not? Will I find a girlfriend? Will I find, you know, and it's like, that's. Just seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and everything else. You're good, dude. Like, you're good. Trust me. But then they watch me, and I. I, hey, I struggle with that too, man. I see a. See a dollar bill run by, and I'm like, hold up. I need that, you know, or, you know, I see some affirmation to be. To be had, and I'm like, dude, I got a post for y' all today, you know, And. And. And I fight, you know, I get it. I'm. I'm me. We. But I just want them. I hope when I die, I just want them to, man, be the coolest thing. If they were like, man, he really, really wanted to love Jesus with everything he had, you know, that'd be sick, you know, if my kids would say that. But that's. That's kind of what I'm trying to teach them, because the other way just doesn't work out that great, you know? It just doesn't. You know, God. God has a way and a truth and a light, and it's Jesus. And that is the. You know, as much as I don't want to be a teacher or a coach all the time, it's like, would you like to thrive in ways bigger than your career blowing up or in ways bigger than you mattering to the masses? Here's Jesus. Yeah, just do that. Yeah, just. He wants your heart. Just let him have it.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

I think there's so many people wrestling with purpose, like, wrestling with restlessness.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Like, what's the point? Here's this place. When I get here, I'll be happy I'm doing this. So. And I think even drinking and anything we use to kind of like, just. Just for a little bit while I'm wrestling, until I get to the point where I don't need this anymore. And that's the trap. And what I hear in your story is this divine purpose like, this. You're not talking about even, like, what you could. We could be talking about a lot of things right now. We're talking about new songs. We'd be talking about this, the highest moment we could be talking about. But you're talking about Jesus purpose. And I love so much that out of all of the bullseyes, we could be focusing on this. Seek first the kingdom of God, loving others. I just want to say that it's inspiring that I think that you found the antidote to the restlessness, not the fact that we don't wrestle not the fact that we don't feel in the struggle, but, like, what is that in it? As you've been. As we kind of. How would we wrap that up to a bullseye, Someone who's feeling restless and struggling with purpose? What would you say to them right now?

[Walker Hayes]

Well, I try to put myself. I try to go backwards when you ask that question. And imagine me.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Walker Hayes]

Pre. You know, Christ. I probably wouldn't be listening to this podcast, but I think. I mean, the first two. Two words that come to mind are just, he knows you're not alone. And that's not that it went, what a true. I mean, you hit the nail on the head. That's every. That's every kid. That's. Everybody I know is driving around in their car today just going, what do I do? And usually whatever we're doing is just a coping mechanism. I try to. Some days, I try to look back on my day and go, what wasn't a coping mechanism? And sadly, as a bond. Servant of Jesus Christ, I can't think of one thing that wasn't just to cope. Even my family. I hang out with my family just to not be bored, you know, I don't know. Or to feel good, you know? Know. And so, yeah, I would just say he knows and he loves you so. Good.

[Podcast Host]

I'm just curious to know, with. Earlier in our conversation, you were talking about how you basically stopped chasing this, like, performance.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

You know, music is a plus.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

It's not the life anymore. Right.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

So your perspective on how you're making music and what you're saying, or even if it does well or if it doesn't, your perspective now being on the other side of, you know, atheist, like, all the way on this side to where you are now, your approach to music and how different it is, you know, having a relationship with Christ.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah. I honestly. Laura, Craig's wife. We were just at McAllister's the other day.

[Podcast Host]

Love McAllister's.

[Walker Hayes]

And we were. We were talking about what you're saying. And I agree. She. She gets full credit for this. And I'd heard this kind of concept from a pastor. I forget who said it, but he does this awesome sermon called, like, drinking orange juice to the glory of God. And I always thought it was kind of corny, but anyway. Well, basically, the concept is like, I see music now as. It's kind of like it's what God did when he made the Earth. Like, he. He just was like, papow, how about this? You know? And he Was like, he's just like the greatest artist ever, you know, just building the earth and just creating people. When I do, when I look in your face and I hear your voice from Australia, I'm just like, God, you're. You're crazy, dude. You've made this guy, you know, and. And not not only like your physical you, but like your life. Like what. What you. What your soul has in it. And you too, you know, And. And. And so I kind of see that as music now. Now I try. I attempt to see all those things and to do those things in my job as worship. Like, when I'm. When I'm. When I'm writing a song, I, I, I. It's a. It's. I'm. God's still there. Like, we're still hanging. And I'm like, what a line. You know, it's cool that those words existed and you could put them in this order time, you know, and you're like, but they've been sitting there for eternity and now they're laying here and, you know, we just did that, dude. And, and, you know, look, do I go in some days and life is just a 9 to 5 and. And I'm just like, oh, man. But no, I mean, I. I kind of. It's. What's crazy is it released me from the bondage.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah.

[Walker Hayes]

Of. Of that performance. But the fact that I get to do that became more beautiful than ever and is now, you know, but it's a more freeing process. It's like, you know, we. My team and I, we beg the Lord to get us out the way. Like, let us not take one moment, you know, that we get to paint with notes and words. And I'm with a band that I've been with 12 years, and we've watched each other's kids grow up, and some have had cancer and some have survived and. And we're up there in tight pants acting stupid, and it's like. And it's just worse. It's like. It's like there's a sense of gratitude while we're doing it all. And it. It's all from God and it's all for God. And then we mix it up, you know, people cheer, and you're like, I'm a pretty good dancer, you know, but it's like, whoa, whoa, whoa, Nah, you know, and so, yeah, it's more, you know, my music. And I think, you know. Yeah, I think you can. I think you can hear what any song I write, man. I'm just having a blast. Like Whether it's like dead serious and makes you want to cry or call your dad or whether it's just funny. I mean, I'm. I've had more fun as a believer making music than I ever had before. And I think it's because I've been able to see it and just to value creativity in general. I am such a believer that every human is creative, even the ones that say they're not. And I think that is. That's one of my favorite characteristics about God in general is he's just the creator, you know? Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

I feel like there's one thing I'd take away from your testimony is just the tangible joy that God has allowed you to feel.

[Walker Hayes]

Yes.

[Podcast Host]

Because before talking about everything you're going through, what you're feeling dayto day, it's just like, like you said, it's just like another day. We're here. Why is that person so nice? Why do they like me? And now you're just like on fire. Like, this is fun. Like you're allowed to have fun. You have so much joy and you're just lighter.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah. I mean, I think, honestly, just people, man, it's like, it's like, you know, we don't, I think sadly, humans don't just stop for a second and be like, dude, this cup of coffee, I mean, came from a bean that's brown in Rwanda, you know, and this guy brought it here and now this guy served it to me and I just gave him a piece of paper that's green and it, you know, like life's kind of crazy. Like just the normal stuff is pretty amazing. And we don't, we're just like, ho hum, you know, whatever competition, man. Like we, you know, again, going back to the. I love coaching basketball, but that's crazy, dude, that we get out there and sweat comes from our pores and we feel like, you know, and then we're like, dude, good game. You know, it's just. There's a lot of beautiful things that just happen on a daily basis that aren't like, we didn't get a Grammy, you know, or whatever. But it's pretty amazing that that's how we relate with one another. And there's lessons in sports and we have taste buds and I don't know, like Uber drivers, for instance. Imagine how many people they meet every day. That's insane.

[Podcast Host]

From everywhere, all over the place. Yeah.

[Walker Hayes]

You and I probably had the same Uber driver. That blows my mind. I know. You know? Yeah.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Have you met James?

[Walker Hayes]

James drives the friend Franklin Are you getting close with me? Yeah.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Me and James are tired. But even the fact that you, like, you say there's so much beauty, so much intentionality when you're looking and you have eyes to see. Purpose.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Eyes of purpose. Like, bro, you ooze that. I'm making random noises right now. I'm just. My mouth is just, like, trying to make random noises. We just.

[Walker Hayes]

Crazy.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

You know what is a laugh now? I'm just like.

[Walker Hayes]

Laughter, dude. Yeah. Isn't it crazy when something cracks you up? You're like. Like you're. You're like an instrument that you're like a bagpipe. That's like. And it just. That's just what he means.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

The horn section right here, dude.

[Walker Hayes]

Even sad. Like, isn't it crazy? You get you sad and literally, your eyes just like rain. Just like a dark sky. I'm serious, though.

[Podcast Host]

It's so true. And I love. It's. It's almost like that childlike faith that people talk about all the time, where you're just, like, in awe of everything and how much sweeter life is that way.

[Walker Hayes]

It's amazing. It's insane.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

My prayer is just. The old walkers that are out there, the old marks, the old brooks that are out there listening or even people. We know them.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

That we can reach out and be the Craigs. I just think, like, God, infuse me with the beauty, the eyes of purpose. Infuse me with eyes like you're talking about to see, you know, I'm like, so I'm worried about the creases and the curtain and things, and I'm just like. But I missed the beauty of. Of language and my uber conversation.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Like, I. You know, and I think God, give me eyes to see, you know, And I think that's when Jesus praised that of, like, really. He prays for people, like, ears to hear and eyes to see and that I wouldn't miss it. That I wouldn't just. Just wander through life and miss chasing this shadow of this idea that I. That I think will do it for me.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah, that.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

That a lot of it. I've got four kids, and I'm. I'm thinking about the dinner that I've got to go and the stuff and then all the thing. I'm just like, I'm so excited now.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

To taste and smell whatever it is on the T. Like, and so I really love. So it's so refreshing, bro, to hear your perspective and just to see your humility and the. The purpose. And the purpose that's that's behind it. And look, not perfection.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah. But, man, not at all.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

I can. There's so much that I can see beyond if I can just have eyes of purpose and that I get so caught up in the little, tiny things. So, man. Yeah, it's. It's inspiring. You're an inspiration, and I'm excited for.

[Walker Hayes]

Thank you.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

The. The seeds of this conversation.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Same. Before we end, I want to know if there's something specific for you, family member, anybody that we can. We can pray for you guys.

[Walker Hayes]

About, man, you know?

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Walker Hayes]

I mean, shoot, that list is long. Brooke. But one thing that's constantly on my mind, I have a sister who takes care of my mom. She's angelic. That. That she does that. My mom is.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Is.

[Walker Hayes]

Is in good health, but since my dad died, the family is. We're separated. You know, that's a thing like, you pray for. Wha. That's my sister, and she's. She's just doing such a good job and pray for my mom, and That's a good one. And then. Yeah, there is. I'm trying to think. Leela's very. I hope she wouldn't mind me saying it. She got some anxiety and, you know, I think there's a real loud world saying, figure it out. What are you gonna do? How you gonna. How are you gonna matter? You know? You know, and I just. I don't know. I just want her to just calm. Just. Hey, just. You're good, you know, God wants you somewhere, you'll go there. Trust me. Me stick you in a whale, spit you out on the beach, bro.

[Podcast Host]

Put you where he wants you to go.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah, it's like. I mean, can we escape that reality? No. You know, so I'm like, dude, enjoy. Enjoy today. Look at today. You know? But, yeah, man. I mean, I think. I think my. My family, we could use a lot of prayer. Is. It's funny, as. As vulnerable as I love to communicate and continue to, like, pre. I just love. I'm just like, hey, man, let's just lay it all out there, because it's way less exhausting than, like, hiding it, you know, I'm not that good with my own family, and so I could. We could all use a healthy dose of that. So. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

When you say you're not good with your family, you mean, like, your relationships?

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's. It's funny. Like, I would. I mean, I don't even really know y' all that well, but if you were like, hey, hey, what are you struggling with? You'll be like, dude, sorry I asked, you know, but I'm not. My family and I are not like that. You know, it's. It's not. Which is weird. Maybe I'm a complete over. Correction, you know, But.

[Podcast Host]

Yeah, listen, I just want to just speak to you first. I can say you're not, you're not. You're not alone.

[Co-host/Interviewer]

Yeah.

[Walker Hayes]

Why is.

[Podcast Host]

I have. I have six. There's six kids in our family. There's five siblings. I'm the second oldest.

[Walker Hayes]

Ah.

[Podcast Host]

So I'm on the top of that with these. Yeah, it varies.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

Day by day. We don't all get along at the same time ever. So broken families, especially when it comes to like different personalities and you know, religion, politics, all the. It's.

[Walker Hayes]

It's hard these days. Is very like, that's crazy.

[Podcast Host]

So I would just. If I can encourage you. It's. You're not weird. Weird. It's not abnormal to not have those close knit relationships. But God can restore it and I believe that. So.

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah. Yeah, I've seen that. Yeah. That's there. I do on the other side with, with some of Laney's family. It's just God all over. I mean there, there's some, there's some redemption and some relationships that y'. All, if I told you, like me and Laney's dad is. It's insane where we are now. I mean, it's crazy. And it's not just because I got famous or so you know, it's. It's. It's some real stuff. Yeah. So I know. Yeah. I can, I can attest. It can, it can happen. But yeah, family is okay. Family is weird.

[Podcast Host]

Family is weird. But thankfully we all have each other, right?

[Walker Hayes]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Podcast Host]

All right, well, I'm going to pray us out if that's cool.

[Walker Hayes]

Bring it.

[Podcast Host]

All right. Dear heavenly father, Lord, just thank you for Walker's heart. Thank you for his vulnerability to share his testimony, God. And we just, we boldly pray and ask for restoration for his family today. Lord, we pray over his sister taking care of his mom. Lord, that you would just equip her with every tool that she needs to continue to do that. Lord, we pray healing over his mom. We pray just the word restoration all over his family. Spouses, siblings, cousins, everything that their family is going through, Lord, we just pray restoration over it. And God, I just boldly pray over Walker's kids, Lord, that you would just raise them up to. To just be vessels for you. That you would just allow them to not just be Walker Hayes. Kids, Lord, but they would have their own identities and that they would just be bold in every aspect of their life. God and I pray over Walker and we pray for Craig and Laura. We pray over Laney and Walker, God, we just, we just, we ask that you continue to bless their friendship, bless their marriages, that it's very apparent that everything Walker touches is because of you, Lord. And we just ask that you bless it and you continue to bless him and his family through it, Lord. And we just, we just thank you for everybody listening right now, Lord, the atheist that might be listening that is inspired by Walker's story. Lord, we just pray, pray over them and their in their heart that they would know you, God, we just thank you for these platforms to be able to talk to you and about you and give you all of the glory through it, Lord. So thank you for the upload, thank you for the people behind the cameras, everybody that helps it happen. God, just thank you for all of it. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

[Walker Hayes]

Amen. Amen.

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[Walker Hayes]

So usually on okay story time, our.

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[Walker Hayes]

And the okay storytime squad gives some good advice goofily.

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[Walker Hayes]

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[Walker Hayes]

Open that thing.

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And now it is in my hands.

[Walker Hayes]

I feel like it's got to be our resident gamer kiosk.

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[Walker Hayes]

It's a portable game console. I used to have this as a kid. This game console.

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[Walker Hayes]

Into the room when you were a kid and like, you're pretending to sleep, but Riley, what a thoughtful gift. Yeah, Riley, thank you so much. Riley, you're crushing it. But we have one more gift. Yeah, we got another one. Let's open it. Boom. Oh, camera. An old timey camera. That's right. Classic. This is awesome because you know how I love to take pictures of my travels. Yeah, you're always somewhere, whether it's in Kyrgyzstan with some nomads or just New York, you know, with a nice little.

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[Walker Hayes]

Pictures with the birds. So Riley, you got all of this from ebay? Dude, ebay. It was really fun finding it with you guys. Like I had very specific things for each one of you. Yeah, it was all there. Thanks Riley and thank you ebay. And guys shop ebay for millions of finds each with a story.

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[Walker Hayes]

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[Walker Hayes]

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[Walker Hayes]

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[Walker Hayes]

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[Podcast Host]

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