If you haven’t already heard the name Christian Hayes, get ready—because this Appalachian-raised storyteller is about to be everywhere. The 26-year-old singer-songwriter has been making waves with his deeply personal lyrics, genre-blending sound, and that undeniable ability to make us cry one minute and dance the next. And now, with his Grand Ole Opry debut under his belt and brand-new music on the horizon, 2025 is looking like his biggest year yet.
“Every milestone you get as an artist is a special milestone, right? But being able to share that one with my family and have them backstage, it was really special,” Hayes told Celeb Secrets about his Opry debut, which he found out about in the most heartwarming way—at his family’s Christmas Eve party. “I had no idea. My dad and mom were like, ‘You have to be here at eight o’clock.’ And then they told me, and I was just like, wow.”
The Opry performance was an emotional full-circle moment for Hayes, whose parents watched the historic country music show religiously during COVID — despite not even being country music fans before. “It’s been such a big part of their life now, so yeah, it was really special to share that with them.” And let’s just say, Hayes delivered on that stage, performing two songs, including the yet-to-be-released “Home Sweet Home.”
But let’s rewind a little, because Christian Hayes’ rise didn’t happen overnight. Raised in the Appalachian foothills of Georgia, he started writing songs at just eight years old (his first was a “horrendous breakup song,” in his words) thanks to the influence of his poet grandfather and guitar-playing father. Growing up surrounded by music and southern storytelling, Hayes learned early on how to craft songs that spoke to life’s most raw emotions.
However, music wasn’t always the clear path. After high school, Hayes joined the U.S. Navy Reserve, where he served for eight years, specializing in counterintelligence and anti-terrorism. “It really instilled a bunch of discipline in me,” he reflected. “When things hit the fan, you just keep going. That mindset carried over into my songwriting. I’ve written over 1,200 songs now because I approach it with that same discipline.”
His 2024 debut EP Last I Love You was more than just a collection of songs — it was a statement. Hayes poured his heart into every lyric, crafting a deeply personal project that served as both a goodbye to his past and an introduction to who he is as an artist. “I wanted to give everybody a glimpse into, hey, these are the things I’ve gone through. This is what my life looked like,” he explained. “I just wanted people to know that I wasn’t scared to write about the hard things.”
One of the standout tracks, “LILY,” became a viral sensation, surpassing millions of streams and cementing Hayes as a rising star in the singer-songwriter world. The hauntingly beautiful ballad captures the devastating final moments of a broken relationship, but its meaning has expanded far beyond its original intent. “I had this girl on TikTok say it was her ‘last I love you’ to alcohol as she got sober. Someone else messaged me saying they listened to it the whole way to the hospital after their best friend passed away. That’s what music is supposed to do — it’s supposed to be there for you when nothing else is.”
Despite the emotional weight of Last I Love You, Hayes wants everyone to know he’s got a happy side too. “I’m not always going to write sad songs,” he laughed. “I actually have a couple of happy ones coming out.”
One of those was “Wildflower,” released in late 2024, inspired by a book of wildflowers he found in his late grandfather’s belongings. “It said, ‘I just want to find my wildflower.’ And I thought, that’s really sweet. That should be a song.”
The song marked a sonic shift for Hayes, moving toward a folk-pop influence while maintaining his signature authenticity. It’s an uplifting track about finding love in imperfections, reminding listeners that beauty is often found in the unexpected. “I wanted to write something that felt light, free, and hopeful—because love isn’t perfect, and that’s what makes it real.”
As for what’s next? Get ready for more new music — including a new tearjerker he co-wrote with Jonah Kagan. “It’s vocally probably the best song I have,” Hayes teased. “We wrote it in like 30 to 45 minutes, and we just knew — this one is special.”
And don’t worry, he’s not stopping there. While he’s still figuring out the perfect tour to jump on, Hayes is gearing up for festival performances and, of course, dropping more music that tells the story of him. “This year, you’re going to get a lot of songs about me. Hopeful, honest, real. That’s what 2025 is all about.”
Looking ahead, Hayes is determined to keep his momentum going. He hopes to not only release more music but also reach a wider audience. “Seeing how ‘Lily’ helped people through different things gives me so much hope for what other songs I have that can help others. The biggest goal for me is for listeners to get something out of the music — for it to mean something to them.”
If one thing’s for sure, Christian Hayes is only getting started. And if you need proof that he’s got that extra spark? Well, he’s literally ambidextrous and can write with both hands at the same time.
“I broke my right arm as a kid and had to learn to write with my left. Then right after my cast came off, I broke my left arm. It happened so many times, I just started writing with both hands at the same time,” he laughed. “Now it’s my party trick.”
Yeah, go ahead and try it — we’ll wait.
With his undeniable talent, powerful storytelling, and a heart full of music, it’s safe to say that Christian Hayes isn’t just stepping into 2025 — he’s owning it.
For more on Christian Hayes and his musical journey, watch our full interview below — and don’t forget to let us know if you’re into his music by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecretscountry.
