Wade Hayes, originally from Bethel Acres, Oklahoma, was surrounded by country music from a young age. His father, Don, a seasoned musician, performed in various venues across Oklahoma, instilling a love for music in Wade. As a child, Wade initially played the mandolin but later transitioned to the guitar at the age of 11. Drawing inspiration from honky tonk, outlaw country, and bluegrass genres, Hayes began shaping his distinctive musical style early on.
During his pre-teen years, Wade’s family relocated to Nashville after his father signed a contract with a local independent record label. However, the label’s closure left them in financial turmoil, leading Wade to contribute to his father’s band, Country Heritage. Wade’s passion for music intensified after witnessing Ricky Skaggs perform at the 1991 Country Music Awards. He made the bold decision to drop out of college and pursue a career in music, eventually collaborating with renowned artists like Don Cook and releasing successful albums such as ‘Old Enough to Know Better’ and ‘On a Good Night’. Despite facing challenges, including a battle with colon cancer, Wade Hayes persevered and continued to share his music with the world, releasing albums like ‘Go Live Your Life’ and ‘Old Country Song’ under Conabor Records.