Stars & Guitars is back and better than ever in 2021, with an amazing group of artists. Today’s featured artist is Clay Walker! He joins Tenille Arts and Drew Parker as our artists announced so far. We’ve got three more coming the rest of this week. For now, let’s take a look at Clay!
Clay Walker
ShareCountry music star Clay Walker performs onstage at the 2004 CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tenessee.
Who is Clay Walker?
In a storied career dotted with smash singles, platinum albums and countless honors and acclaim, the connection between country’s timeless themes and music-of-the-moment timeliness is propelling Clay Walker back into the spotlight..
Many of the country fans behind the almost 20 million on-demand and video streams for his latest single “Need A Bar Sometimes” – who may also be among his 750,000 TikTok followers – are wholly unaware of Walker’s history. Discovered in a Beaumont area bar by noted producer and head of Giant Records James Stroud (Toby Keith, Tracy Lawrence, Tim McGraw, Kenny Rogers), Walker was in his early twenties when he started rattling off a string of smash hits. Among them, “Live Until I Die,” “Dreaming With My Eyes Open,” “This Woman And This Man,” “Hypnotize The Moon,” “Rumor Has It,” “Then What,” “I Can’t Sleep” and “She Won’t Be Lonely Long.” His self-titled debut album rocketed to platinum status, the first of four to cross the million-sold mark. Racking up more than 30 charted singles and 11 No. 1s wasn’t without its struggles, however.
“Being born and raised in the Houston area, I thought of myself in the line of George Strait and Clint Black, but my first producer had other ideas,” Walker says. “James Stroud pushed me more towards pop sounds I fought with. What he was saying, and I think he was right, was, ‘Clay, you’ve got some gears to you that will excite people if you let it.’ I was young – 23 – and didn’t really settle with that. But now I’m in a sweet spot in music, in life, and I definitely feel the audience has swung around to appreciating music that makes those connections.”
Teamwork is also at the core of Walker’s battle against Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Diagnosed in 1996, he has become a passionate advocate and fundraiser for others with the disease through his Band Against MS. Among his efforts are the annual Clay Walker Charity Classic at Pebble Beach. The golf event highlights the highly active way Walker has approached MS, continuing to perform and raise a growing family while showing no signs of slowing.
“It’s very gratifying to be at a point in my life where I can offer something in its fullness,” he continues. “I’ve never quite had that before. I was pegged as a neo-traditionalist early on, but I don’t think I fit that mold. For a lot of reasons – maybe the pendulum of music is in the perfect spot – but today’s music and my style have hit center on this album.”
Clay Walker calls in with Sarah – Click play to listen now!
Clay Walker's Biggest Hit
It’s hard to narrow Clay Walker down to just one hit (we went ahead and profiled some more here). But this 1993 legendary country track catapulted Clay into superstar status early on. It still sounds just a great today, nearly 30 years later.
Clay Walker on Social Media
Follow Clay Walker: Facebook | TikTok | YouTube | Instagram | Twitter
Clay has a big presence on many social media platforms, but he’s making a name for himself all over again on TikTok with over 850,000 followers. Here, he talks about his brand new album, Texas to Tennessee.
@claywalker New album #TexasToTennessee available now! 🤠 #claywalker #countrymusic #youlookgood #newmusic #country #newcountry #worklife #livemusic
♬ You Look Good - Clay WalkerClay Walker Quiz
A Few Photos of Clay Walker
Kansas City Chiefs v Houston Texans
ShareHOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 13: Country music singer Clay Walker waits on the field with his son Cal before their game against the Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium on September 13, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
142nd Kentucky Derby – Red Carpet
ShareLOUISVILLE, KY - MAY 07: Musical artist Clay Walker (L) and Jessica Craig attend the 142nd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 07, 2016 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Gustavo Caballero/Getty Images for Churchill Downs)
49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards – Arrivals
ShareLAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 06: Singer Clay Walker (R) and Jessica Craig attend the 49th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Kentucky Speedway – Day 4
ShareSPARTA, KY - JULY 09: Country music artist Clay Walker performs with his band at Kentucky Speedway on July 9, 2011 in Sparta, Kentucky. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images)
Divisional Series – Tampa Bay Rays v Houston Astros – Game Two
ShareHOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 05: Musician Clay Walker performs the national anthem before Game 2 of the ALDS between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on October 05, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Clay Walker
ShareClay Walker - 2021 Stars & Guitars Artist
Clay Walker
ShareCountry music star Clay Walker performs onstage at the 2004 CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tenessee.
Complete Stars & Guitars coverage is here. Tickets on sale August 27 at 10 a.m. Join us at the Crown Coliseum Box Office for an on-sale party!
