Walker Hayes is a family man at his core and he’s not letting any kind of fame get in the way of that. Since his song “Fancy Like” blew up on social media and changed the game for Hayes, he and his family have had to adapt to the influx of time away from home.
During an interview with Good Morning America, Hayes made it clear that he’s not leaving his wife Laney and their six children behind while he’s living life out on the road. Just a few years ago Hayes was a struggling artist, on the verge of giving up, but his family was there for him then and they’re still there for him now.
“Everywhere I go, my family goes with me. Every heartbreak I’ve ever endured, Laney, my wife, has felt it equally,” Hayes shared. “When I read that moment that we had been nominated for a Grammy… that wasn’t a nomination for just me.”
“In a very humble way, she would say she’s not surprised. She’s always believed in me that much,” the viral hitmaker added. “Laney has … believed in me more than I have for many years, so she’s really a lot of the reason we’re all standing up and dancing.”
Part of their new journey to stardom includes keeping their kids grounded and avoiding a major shift in their dynamic.
“It’s hard because you’ve got fame tugging at you,” he said. “I’m trying to keep my children humble; I’m trying to keep myself humble.”
Hayes and his wife tied the knot in 2004 and just a few years later had their first daughter, Lela. Their family grew, but they kept things simple around their home, as the “AA” singer explained. He made music a priority in his life and Laney homeschooled the kids, meaning they “stayed home a lot.” That started to change as he became a viral sensation for his catchy lyrics and entertaining choreography.
Suddenly, he was “busier than ever” getting invites to award shows, tour dates, press opportunities, things that he had only dreamed of before. This meant his kids started to see less of their dad and that just wasn’t working out for them. Hayes’ solution was to get an additional bus and bring the family out on the road with him.
“If I have to choose between family or fame, it’s an easy choice for me,” he said. “Fame isn’t that great and family is.”
“My wife and kids aren’t home alone being ‘Walker’s family,’” he said.
Hayes shared a video on social media showcasing what life inside the crowded bus looks like for all of them. They each have their own bunk bed, space to do homework and play games, and a whole like more time to spend together.
“I’m accidentally a rock star right now and my family can ride along with me on this adventure,” he previously shared in an interview with ABC’s 20/20.
The Fancy Like Tour will wrap up at the end of the month with a sold-out show in Kentucky.
@musicmayhemmagazine @Walker Hayes’ children joined him on stage in New York City to do the #FancyLike dance! #WalkerHayes
