(Nashville, Tennessee…) – Nov, 2023
– Wade Hayes has always paid homage to the traditional country music of
his roots while establishing his own legacy in the genre. Now the Oklahoma
Country Music Hall of Famer takes his admiration for classic country music a
step further with Old Country Still Rocks, an 11-song set that
celebrates his heroes, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Bob Wills, Merle Haggard
and other icons which dropped Nov 17, 2023 on Conabar Records.
“I’ve always wanted to make a record covering some of my
favorite country songs,” Hayes said. “You couldn't find a better batch
of songs to find out where I came from, what influenced me and why I do the
style of music that I do. Honestly, I could do another covers album tomorrow of
songs that didn't make the cut. There are so many great country songs that
sound just as relevant today as they did when they were first hits.”
His first full-length album since 2019’s Who Saved
Who, the new collection kicks off with the relatable anthem “Old
Country Still Rocks.” The song, which is also the album’s focus track
finds Hayes name-checking Waylon, Willie, Haggard, Joe Diffie and other
favorites while celebrating the swagger those honk tonk heroes brought to their
incredible catalog of hits. These songs were part of his musical education as
he grew up playing in Oklahoma clubs with his father Don, a well-respected
local musician.
Hayes puts his distinctive touch on such beloved hits as Willie’s
“Whiskey River,” Keith Whitley’s “I’m Over You” and
George Strait’s “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind,” but he
was also mindful to serve up some more obscure gems like Haggard’s “Can’t Break
the Habit.” He also delivers a poignant cover of the Patty Loveless hit “Here
I Am” that breathes new life into the emotional Tony Arata-penned
ballad. He concludes the collection with an uplifting take on the gospel
singalong “I’ll Fly Away.”
He also serves up a potent rendition of his pal Johnny Lee’s hit “One
in a Million,” a song that is especially meaningful to him because it
was written by his mentor Chick Rains. The song takes Hayes back to his early
days in Nashville when he played in Lee’s band until the wee hours and then
would get up early to be at his construction job. Those long days of burning
the candle at both ends inspired his debut hit “Old Enough to Know Better.’
Born with working man’s hands, a poet’s heart and an undeniably
powerful voice, Wade Hayes continues to entertain fans and his passion for
country music has never dimmed. He’s currently writing songs for his next album
and his tour schedule has never been busier.
A second-generation country singer from Bethel Acres, Oklahoma,
Hayes grew up watching his dad perform. The young guitarist’s dream was to be
the next Don Rich, Buck Owens’ revered guitar player and one of country music’s
most legendary sidemen. Wade began realizing that goal when Johnny Lee tapped
him to be his lead guitarist. He landed a publishing deal just nine months
after moving to Nashville and a contract with Columbia Records soon
after. His debut single, “Old Enough to Know Better,” hit No. 1 on the Billboard
Country chart. Follow up singles “Don’t Stop,” “I’m Still Dancing
With You,” “What I Meant To Say,” “On A Good Night” and “The Day That She Left
Tulsa (In a Chevy),” all hit the Top 10, and two of his albums have been
certified gold by the RIAA.
Hayes recorded two more albums for Columbia before making the move
to Monument Records. He maintained a busy schedule on the road entertaining
fans with such hits as the achingly powerful “How Do You Sleep at Night” and
the raucous dance tune “Tore Up from the Floor Up.” He developed a reputation
for having once of the best live shows in the business, delivering song after
song that kept people on their feet singing along in arenas or packing the
dance floor at major clubs across the country.
Over the years, Hayes has continued to tour and churn out
critically acclaimed albums. He was temporarily sidelined as he fought stage
four colon cancer twice, but the experience left him with renewed faith in God
and a deeper well from which to draw as a songwriter. The title track from his
2015 album Go Live Your Life was inspired by the advice his
oncologist gave him when he became cancer free for the second time.
That inspiring anthem has become a fan favorite as is Hayes’
poignant ballad “Who Saved Who?” It’s a tribute to his beloved dog Jack, and
even the toughest cowboys in the audience can be seen with tears in their eyes
when Wade sings “He’s been with me through hell and back again. And I know it’s
often said, but he has been my best friend. They call him a rescue, but I’m not
sure that’s true. Cause there’s times I wonder, who saved who?”
In addition to writing, recording and touring, Hayes has recently
developed some other pursuits that keep him busy when he’s on his Tennessee
farm. He’s raising cattle, an Angus/Hereford mix and loves to spend time in the
pasture watching the calves. He also loves making guitars and recently crafted
a beautiful instrument from a 100-year-old Ash tree that had fallen on a
friend’s property.
Wade capped off 2022 by being officially inducted into the
Oklahoma Country Music Hall of Fame.
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