Country singer Walker Hayes reflected on how his family came back together after the tragedy.
In 2018, Country star now 44 years old The couple suffered a devastating loss when their daughter, Oakley Clover, died shortly after birth from a uterine rupture, which nearly killed Laney.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Hayes, who recently partnered with J.C. Penney to create a new clothing collection, said that channeling his emotions through music has improved his relationship with his wife and children and helped him get through difficult times. He said he was able to do so.
“One of the things I’m thankful for is that at one point in my life I started writing songs, and that started the communication side of me and I felt like I had to say it all. ” he said.
Country singer Walker Hayes has told how his family was able to come together after the tragedy. (JC Penney/Walker Hayes Instagram)
The “Good With Me” hitmaker continued, “Let’s just throw everything on the table and do whatever we want with it. But selfishly speaking, it’s already inside me. There is no,” he continued.
Country music star Walker Hayes shares his journey from ‘alcoholic atheist’ to a life of faith and sobriety
“And I can say it was a gift. I’m forever grateful,” he added. “It’s improved my relationship with my kids and my wife. Brutal honesty and communication, and the highways are wide open.”
“I think that’s a big reason why I’m not afraid to expose my family, the good and the bad, and say, ‘Hey, we’re still a family.'”
In 2018, country star Walker Hayes and his wife Laney suffered a devastating loss after their daughter Oakley Clover died shortly after birth due to a uterine rupture, which nearly took Laney’s life as well. (Amy Sussman/Getty Images)
The songwriter married his high school sweetheart Laney in 2004. The couple have daughters Lela, 18, Loxley, 10, and Everly, 7, and sons Chapel, 16, Baylor, 14, and Beckett, 12.
Hayes, who has a large following on social media, often shares her children and family life in her posts. Hayes’ career skyrocketed in 2021 after a TikTok video of him and Lela dancing to Hayes’ song “Fancy Like” went viral.
After 11 years in the music industry, Hayes had a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Country chart with “Fancy Like” and also reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The success of this song brought Hayes’ fame to a new level.
Video: Country singer Walker Hayes shares how his family came together after tragedy
Hayes has been open on social media and in the press about the ups and downs she has experienced throughout her life. In an interview with Fox News Digital, he recalled how he was able to overcome his difficulties by “the grace of God and the grace of God alone.”
The country singer, who has battled alcoholism, previously told Fox News Digital that the pain of losing Oakley challenged his ability to remain sober and tested the strength of his relationship with Rainey.
“Lainey and I have been through a lot,” he said.
Hayes and Rainey have been married since 2004. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
Ms Hayes said the pain of losing Oakley, who would have turned six in June, may have ended their marriage.
“It’s the kind of thing that destroys marriages,” he said. “So it goes off like a bomb, you know?”
“And Laney and I grieved in very different ways,” Hayes continued. “I was angry, but she was sad for about two years.”
“And to be honest, I don’t have an answer,” he added. “I don’t know why we’re on this side. And we’re still hanging in there.”
In addition to communicating better with her family, Hayes said working with her children on social media content such as her “Fancy Like” videos and sharing their lives with her followers has helped bring them together. He said he is doing so.
Ms Hayes said the pain of losing Oakley, who would have turned six in June, may have led to the end of her marriage. (Dillon Sherlock/CBS via Getty Images)
“I think when most people in Nashville think of country musicians, they come across my name. [it] I’m not the only one they think of,” Hayes said. “They’re thinking about my daughter, they’re thinking about the OG dance, the first dance we did.” They’re probably thinking about Laney. They probably know the stories we talk about with our kids. ”
“They probably know my testimony,” he continued. “They probably know a lot about my life and my family.”
Hayes told Fox News Digital that focusing on her family instead of herself on social media helps remind her of her priorities.
“When you dive into my socials, you don’t see much about me,” he said.
The musician pointed to trick-shot videos that are popular with kids, where kids attempt seemingly impossible stunts like golf shots, pancake flips, and basketball throws.
WATCH: Country singer Walker Hayes talks about how focusing on family keeps him grounded
“Look at my kids doing trick shots, and whatever they do,” Hayes said with a laugh. “There is no other way.”
He continued, “It keeps me grounded. It reminds me to focus on them. Honestly, when I wake up, the most important thing to me is “How can I be a better husband? How can I be a better father?” I get it. Because I want to take care of Rainie. And because a lot of things are going to happen in life, I want my kids to have a lifetime. ”
“And I want them to know that their father loves them,” he added.
Hayes said her priorities have shifted around family life and that her goal is to “just focus on what I think the world sees me trying to focus on right now.” Ta.
“I’m not the perfect husband. I’m not the perfect believer. I’m not the perfect father at all,” he said.
“I mean, I fail miserably. Yesterday I threw a plastic chair and the kids teased me all day about it. And I’m so glad they did. We were doing a trick shot and I couldn’t take it,” Hayes said with a smile.
“I threw a plastic chair at the tree and it broke,” he added. “That makes me feel better. But listen, I want you to at least see me now as someone who is willing to try and try. Let’s work together.”
Hayes has collaborated with J.C. Penney on a new clothing collection. (JC Penney)
Hayes and his kids’ hit social media videos led to brand partnerships, including an Applebee’s commercial and a back-to-school campaign with Great Clips. The singer’s social media presence also caught the attention of J.C. Penney, who asked her to collaborate on an exclusive clothing collection.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Hayes recalled that he was initially unsure if he was the right person to start a clothing line.
Like what you’re reading? Click here for more entertainment news
“Honestly, when it comes to fashion? When they called me, I wasn’t that confident about, ‘Do I have the ability to make fashion decisions?’ I don’t know,” he said.
The singer’s clothing line includes 25 items. (JC Penney)
Hayes continued, “But as they included me and honestly went into my personal story, they gave me more and more confidence and really helped me create this line. He really helped me,” he continued.
“A lot of these items are personal things that we made together. There’s basically my father’s jacket that we recreated and I wear it every day. And he’s passed away now. But now there’s a jacket out there that other people will inherit. It’s going to become part of their lives.”
WATCH: Country singer Walker Hayes talks about new collaboration with J.C. Penney
Click here to sign up for our entertainment newsletter
“We have T-shirts with textures and colors that you can wear with confidence.” [on] “Honestly, dressing is my life. 25 items. That’s what I do. So trust me and be honest, I’m going to succeed again with this line. I give a lot of credit to J.C. Penney for preparing this.”
Haze’s collection with JC Penney will be available for purchase online starting May 4th, and then in select stores starting May 16th. (JC Penney)
Hayes recalled that she had never picked out her own clothes before. The Grammy nominee said his mother picked out clothes for him and his brother, and J.C. Penney was one of their go-to stores. After marrying Rainey, Hayes said she often relied on Rainey to help her choose her outfits.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“I think this is a really genius way to create a men’s line – Take for example real men who probably shop and dress just like you. The guy from JC Penney.” He said. “So I just happened to get a great job that came along with it.”
“It was a magical relationship, a very natural, ready-to-continue relationship. It was really fun. I can’t wait to share that with people, you know, all over the world.”
Walker Hayes for JCPenney Collection will be available for purchase online on May 4th and then in select stores on May 16th.
