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Backstage Country

GALLERY: Walker Hayes Steps Into The Spotlight In 2021

Walker Hayes has been making music in Nashville for years and signed with the Sony label early on. He has had his share of success through the years, but 2021…

GALLERY: Walker Hayes Steps Into The Spotlight In 2021
Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Walker Hayes has been making music in Nashville for years and signed with the Sony label early on. He has had his share of success through the years, but 2021 appears to be his breakout year with his first chart-topper and internet sensation "Fancy LIke" giving him a whole new lease on country music stardom.

We have gathered some pictures from Walker's epic 2021, where he performed at last night's (11/21) American Music Awards and more. We also share a few shots from years before his life got so "Fancy Like."

2021 American Music Awards

GettyImages-1354797709-scaled.jpgKevin Winter/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 21: (L-R) Walker Hayes sings to Laney Hayes during the 2021 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 21, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for MRC)


2021 American Music Awards

GettyImages-1354796812-scaled.jpgKevin Winter/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 21: Walker Hayes performs onstage during the 2021 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 21, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for MRC)


2021 American Music Awards

GettyImages-1354797497-scaled.jpgKevin Winter/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 21: Walker Hayes performs onstage during the 2021 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 21, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for MRC)


2021 American Music Awards - Arrivals

GettyImages-1354775045-scaled.jpgMatt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 21: Walker Hayes attends the 2021 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 21, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for MRC )


2021 CMT Artist Of The Year - Show

GettyImages-1346464765-scaled.jpgTerry Wyatt/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 13: Walker Hayes performs onstage during 2021 CMT Artist Of The Year at Schermerhorn Symphony Center on October 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images)


2021 CMT Artist of the Year - Red Carpet

GettyImages-1346453671-scaled.jpgJason Kempin/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 13: Laney Beville Hayes and Walker Hayes attend the 2021 CMT Artist of the Year on October 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for CMT/Viacom)


2021 CMT Artist of the Year - Rehearsals

GettyImages-1346420887-scaled.jpgJason Kempin/for CMT/ViacomCBS

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 12: Walker Hayes is interviewed during the 2021 CMT Artist of the Year - Rehearsals on October 12, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/for CMT/ViacomCBS


YNot Wednesdays Writer's Spotlight

GettyImages-1211896824-scaled.jpgJason Kempin/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 11: Singer/songwriter Walker Hayes performs at Live Oak on March 11, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)


The 53rd Annual CMA Awards - Arrivals

GettyImages-1187468561-scaled.jpgJason Kempin/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 13: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Walker Hayes and Laney Beville Hayes attend the 53rd annual CMA Awards at the Music City Center on November 13, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)


The 52nd Annual CMA Awards - Arrivals

GettyImages-1061523648.jpgJason Kempin/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 14: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY) Walker Hayes attends the 52nd annual CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena on November 14, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)

Nancy Brooks has been working in the country music industry for almost 30 years. She has interviewed pretty much any country star you can think of. In the late 1990s, she started working with Dolly Parton. And yes, Nancy reports that Parton is as sweet as you would think. She loves her life in country music and has been backstage at every CMA Awards show since the late 1990s. Many of her stories are from her one-on-one interviews. She was there at the beginning of the incredible careers of many music superstars today, including Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, and Blake Shelton, and has interviewed them multiple times throughout the years.