Walker Hayes joins Country Faith Radio with Hillary Scott to share how he transformed tragedy in his life into triumph. Walker also explains that he developed a powerful friendship with spiritual mentor, Craig Cooper, with whom he recently wrote a book on finding peace after being down-and-out. Tune in and listen to the episode in-full this Sunday (October 9) at 8am PT / 10am CT / 11am ET or anytime on-demand at apple.co/_CountryFaith

Walker Hayes on Being an Atheist and Alcoholic Before Becoming a Believer
You know, I’m ashamed to say this, but I would’ve called myself an atheist, a humanist, for most of my married adult life. Just like everybody, I come from a big family. We got some issues. There’s issues with addiction. There’s absence. There’s a lot of heartbreak in all families, and sadly, that turned me to just kind of a godless phase, I would’ve said. You know how Nashville can be, it’s a confusing town, and Nashville’s like the popular kid in high school, you hate it, but you want it to like you so much. So we had a lot of that, Laney and I walked through that together. I’m an alcoholic. I’m seven years sober now, but I wasn’t thinking about becoming sober for a very long time. That was a problem in our marriage.

Walker Hayes on Losing a Child and Almost Giving Up His Sobriety 2 Years In
I was two years sober when we lost Oakley and I drove to this bar to just self destruct. I had every intention of… I didn’t care if I killed someone, got killed, got arrested. I just needed to… And when I got to this bar, my wallet wasn’t in the door of my Honda. So I turned around and went home and when I walked in the home, I remember I still had dirt on my shoe from burying Oakley. And I saw Laney alone on the couch, the other kids were all playing together, and I was just broken. For once in my life I had no one to blame. And I just was so icky. I just felt so gross. I was like, “Man, I just left my best friend to go and focus on me. I just left my kids to focus on me. But at the same time, they lost a sibling. She lost a daughter.” And all I could see was my own pain. And that frustrated me, and Laney found me an AA meeting that night. I explained to her kind of what I was going through and she helped me find an AA meeting and it was amazing.

Walker Hayes on When He First Met His Friend and Spiritual Mentor Craig (Whom He Wrote “Craig” About)
I met this guy named Craig [Cooper]. And he is such a huge part of my story because this guy Craig, I met him at a church I didn’t want to be at. I was hammered when I walked into Redeeming Grace. But this guy, I couldn’t make him go away. No matter how nasty, how different my beliefs were. No matter how crazy I even thought he was, this dude would not go away. And I wasn’t used to people … Even me, look, I’m as guilty as I would say anybody was ever guilty to me, is my entire life was performance based. But I got to this season where I lost a kid where I was like, “I can’t perform. I can’t even keep my kid alive.” But in the meantime, this guy Craig, he wasn’t loving me based on my performance for once.

Walker Hayes on Grappling with Being Grateful for God’s Blessings But Still Questioning Whether He Belongs in the Music Business
My favorite part of all of this that God created is writing a song. And so, I miss that. And selfishly, sometimes… People would probably be alarmed to hear this, but sometimes I go… My wife and I’ll be like, “You think you should just write?” This business really exposes a very narcissistic version of me. And I don’t love it. I don’t like that guy, but he’s inside me. I’m capable of some really gross stuff. And this business, it has that weight on my heart. I find myself getting out there [on stage] not being grateful, going, “Why couldn’t I hear this cue?” And I find myself being like, “I need these particulars to happen because we’re at this phase now.” And that’s an icky, icky version of me. And sometimes I’m like, “Man, I wonder if I was just like a high school football coach. Would I be that gross?” And the truth is, I would.

K-Anthony releases new music with “Happy.” The track is available now.

Sometimes life brings so much hardship, struggle and pain but experiencing happiness during those low tides helps us to rise again. The simple things in life if reflected upon, can give one happiness.

To be happy doesn’t always mean that life is perfect, but rather in the midst of the storm you can find peace. Each season in life is meaningful and happiness is something God desires for us, but we must choose to be happy.

The rain makes you appreciate the sun, the darkness makes you appreciate the light, and the summer heat makes you appreciate the cool fall. Just to be alive is something to be thankful for, to be able to breathe or walk is a reason to be grateful. It means God has purpose for your existence and in Him you’ll find peace and joy.

Happy – K-Anthony

About Artist

K-Anthony’s early musical experiences began in the church he attended in his youth, located in Falmouth, Jamaica. He is influenced by the island music, and you can hear his love of reggae and R&B. His strong musicality shows his classical training gained through his Bachelor of Arts degree in music.

K-Anthony’s songs are well crafted with the lyrics front and center with a decidedly optimistic tone, but the underlying theme of his music is his love for God and hope for the future. K-Anthony has a strong desire to bring that hope and sense of purpose in life to young people who feel lost and he uses his message to bring inspiration to others. K-Anthony is honored and humbled to be a 2021 JUNO Award nominee.

DENVER, CO, USA – October 7, 2022 – With the August release of their album, “I Come From Earth,” the global collective, Harmony Dreamers blazed onto the international music scene.

The new studio project of prolific songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Byron Lee Scott offers a timely message of worldwide unity with contributions from an array of top-flight musicians from every continent, including 20 international backup singers.

The humorous title track has earned Top 15 radio status on UK radio charts, hitting the UK iTunes Pop Songs chart, while racking up more than 40K Spotify streams and over 6K monthly listeners.  The lyric video for the song has enjoyed more than 5K youtube views.  So, how does an act with Irish and Nigerian bassists, Spanish and Venezuelan percussionists and singers from the U.S., Argentina, and Austria come to record and release a COUNTRY music version of their hit song?

“There are several reasons why I decided to release a country music version of the title track, ‘I Come From Earth,’ said Scott. “This was not a last minute decision. It was recorded at the beginning of the album project. I have always enjoyed artists who can write a song with humor at times, like Joe Walsh. One of my favorite artists of all time is Jerry Reed. I love so many of his songs, and he can do many styles, besides humor.

Nevertheless, some of my favorite songs of his were ‘Amos Moses,’  ‘When You’re Hot You’re Hot,’ and ‘Good Lord Mr Ford.’ I think this song speaks to the global concept of the album, connection and togetherness, but in a light-hearted way. And because I have loved the music of Jerry Reed so very much, it seemed natural to try a Nashville-flavored version. I bet heaven is a lot more fun since Jerry arrived.”

“I Come From Earth (Nashville Jam)” drops on October 7th.

Watch Lyric Video Below

Harmony Dreamers’ sensational debut album, “I Come From Earth,” is a truly global record in both outlook and execution. The new studio project of prolific songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Byron Lee Scott, it offers a timely message of worldwide unity with contributions from an array of top-flight musicians from every continent, including 20 international backup singers. 

Ultra-melodic, rich in cultured harmonies, gorgeous orchestrations, and gentle psychedelia, Harmony Dreamers has earned comparisons to timeless greats including Pink Floyd, The Beatles, Steely Dan, and Crosby Stills & Nash.  “I Come From Earth” melds diverse influences with a lyrical through-line of connection, togetherness, and optimism.  For more information, please visit http://www.harmonydreamers.com

Last week, Matt Redman introduced his new single ‘Son of Suffering’ announcing an upcoming album. The song was penned by Redman alongside worship leaders and writers David Funk, Aaron Moses, and Nate Moore. ‘Son Of Suffering’ is available now. Today (Oct 7), Redman shares the official lyric video, which can be viewed below.

‘Son of Suffering’ encapsulates the mysterious beauty of Christ’s blood and tears, as Redman notes that, “as well as taking us to the cross and celebrating how Jesus fought for our salvation there, this song is also about His solidarity with us in our own pain.”

Son Of Suffering – Matt Redman

Country singer-songwriter Jenna Torres issues the second single, “Just A Mountain,” from her upcoming album, the followup to 2021’s critically-acclaimed All Heart. The uplifting single explores how we deal with seemingly insurmountable obstacles like heartbreak, depression, and hard times. Jenna’s message: keep going.

“Every mountain looks huge from the bottom, but it gets smaller as you reach the top,” she says. “I know how challenging life can be — I’ve had some really rough times myself. I’ve learned you can’t let bad things be the end of you. This cannot be your last job, last boyfriend, last hurt, your last breath. These are just mountains, and each mountain asks us to put one foot in front of the other and climb.”

“Just A Mountain” hits that sweet spot between being an intimately reflective ballad and a rousing, you-can-do-it anthem. It features Jenna’s dynamically expressive vocals which span comforting soft tones to soaring emotionality. The track also boasts country fixings such as lyrical mandolin melodies, back-porch acoustic guitar, and delicate layers of rousing ethereal ambience.

The idea for the song started with a chorus Jenna had carried with her for a while — one about getting through painful everyday moments. She eventually finished the song, co-writing with songwriter and guitarist extraordinaire Brad Sample (Alice Cooper, Maggie Rose, Randy Houser). Torres laid down “Just A Mountain” at Forty-one Fifteen Studios in Nashville, working with Charlie Chamberlain, Irakli Gabriel, and an incredible lineup of Nashville-based musicians and friends.

Just A Mountain – Jenna Torres

The song’s accompanying poignant video features a stirring acting performance by prolific Nashville-based Americana singer-songwriter Rod Picott. Here, bleak scenes of Rod mired in depression are contrasted with images of breathtaking mountain top scenery, evocative footage of Jenna performing the song in a beautiful park setting, along with angelic appearances as she encourages him to keep holding on. In the end, darkness yields to light…

Jenna is an acclaimed singer-songwriter who has penned songs for Warner Music Group and Warner/Chappell Music, including the anthem “Proud” for the Weather Girls’ Martha Wash and co-writing the For King & Country hit “Busted Heart” (alongside Ben Glover), landing the song the Top 10 on the Billboard Christian Hot 100, AC, and CHR charts.

Multi-GRAMMY® Award winning duo and Curb | Word Entertainment recording artist FOR KING + COUNTRY drops a new version today of their song “Love Me Like I Am” featuring Multi-Platinum recording artist Jordin Sparks.  The new recording, whose original version of the song is available on FOR KING + COUNTRY’s latest album, WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?, brings together one of music’s most respected duos with one of America’s best loved pop artists for an emotional pairing.  Check out the song HERE.

Says the Smallbones: “It’s profoundly moving to be loved right where you’re at and just as you are — whether it’s human to human, or God to humanity. Our dear Jordin is a kindred spirit, and her powerful voice and soul has taken this sentiment beyond where we ever could’ve imagined.”

Adds Sparks, “I’m so thrilled to have had the opportunity to record this amazing, powerful song with For King + Country,” says Sparks. Its message is beautiful, and expresses what everyone needs to hear, and what everyone wants to experience.  With all of the distractions we’re facing today, and the chaos in the world, we all need to ask where the love is.”

FOR KING + COUNTRY also recently announced their “A DRUMMER BOY CHRISTMAS | The 2022 TOUR Experience,” where brothers Joel and Luke Smallbone will bring their annual Christmas spectacle to audiences in arenas nationwide over 14 dates, performing hits from their Top 10 A DRUMMER BOY CHRISTMAS album, as well as selections from their Billboard Top 200 record WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?

Fans will have the chance to see the duo perform their No. 1 charting, world renowned version of the holiday classic “Little Drummer Boy” as seen on ABC’s CMA Country Christmas HERE, as well as their #1 hit single “For God Is With Us,” and many more.

The 2022 tour will kick off on November 26 in Kansas City, MO and will visit major markets such as Dallas, TX; Baltimore, MD; and Indianapolis, IN before wrapping up with a world-wide livestream concert event at Nashville’s iconic Grand Ole Opry House. To purchase tickets click HERE.

Ryan Stevenson shares new music with “The Great Awakening” featuring Danny Gokey. The official lyric video can be heard below. “The Great Awakening” is available now.

The Great Awakening – Ryan Stevenson

Multi-award-winning artist and songwriter Matt Maher releases a new song titled “The Way You Love Me.” The track will be featured on Maher’s new album which is expected later this year (Oct 21). 

The Stores I Tell Myself is available to pre-order now.

Two unique projects drop from Elevation Worship today, LEÓN and LEÃO. LEÓN offers eight songs in Spanish while LEÃO is a two-song project recorded in Portuguese that features “LEÃO (LION) [feat. Chris Brown & Thalles Roberto]” as well as “O Mesmo Deus (Same God) [feat. Jonsal Barrientes].” Additionally, all of the songs are accompanied by lyric videos, go to elevationworship.com to check out these albums.

“We’re excited to be sharing some of our favorite songs from our latest album, LION, in both Spanish and Portuguese,” shares Elevation Worship’s Chris Brown. “We love what God is doing not only in our local church but also throughout the global church. To all of our Spanish and Portuguese-speaking brothers and sisters, we hope that this offering helps you connect with and enjoy the presence of God in a deeper way.”

These newly-recorded versions follow the previously released LION and LION: Live From The Loft. The LION: Live From the Loft project offers ten acoustic songs that the Elevation Worship team recorded with their church community at a newly restored barn near their home base in Charlotte, NC, while LION, the group’s 14th project to date, is a 15-track collection that blends high-energy power anthems with stripped-down quieter moments, unconventionally mixing studio selections and live recordings, taking listeners on an inspiring journey, offering songs primed for church, for everyday worship, and for personal reflection.

Elevation Worship – LEÃO

1K Phew releases his latest project titled As I Am. The title track audio featuring Jonathan McReynolds can be heard below. 

As I Am is available now.