Grammy-nominated Christian country artist Rhett Walker recounts how much God has been faithful throughout his life, even in the "messiest moments." In a recent interview with The Christian Post, Walker spoke about the rocky path throughout his life and career. Although he was raised in church, Walker was a troubled teen. Not only was he kicked out of high school, but he became a father at 17 years old with his girlfriend, now-wife, April.
Today, Rhett Walker and April have been married for 20 years and have four children together. He also just released his latest album, Days That We Dreamed Of.
"My first record came out in 2012, and that was my testimony, from teenage pregnancy to trying to figure out my senior year of high school … to getting a job, all of these things," Walker, who grew up listening to 90s country, said. "I was looking at this new record and thinking about me and her, we've been married for 20 years this past July 3 … and I was like, 'Man, this, this has been a journey for the past 20 years.' Just all the things that God's brought us through, all these potholes that you've driven through in life, and you're like, 'Man, every time, He's been faithful and brought me through these things.'"
He described his latest release as the culmination of two decades of "life experiences and lessons learned" and inspired by a realization during a conversation with his wife.
"We were sitting on the back porch, and April said, 'We're living in the days that we dreamed of,'" he said. "I was like, 'Yeah, like, we really are.' I don't think for anybody that it's just a smooth ride. Life can be hell to walk through, and some go there and back many times. …But if you really are looking at your life and what God has set up, man, these are the days that we've dreamed of.
"It's not about what your house looks like, the car that you drive, the money in your bank account. If you have a family that loves each other and is excited to see mama come home from work and daddy come home, and you're living life with each other all while looking at Jesus and trying to push forward and going, 'God, whatever you have for us,' that's a beautiful life."
Songs featured on the album are about Walker's life, family, and personal experiences. The singer told CP it's the "most 'me' record I've ever put out. …There are songs that are super vertical about Jesus and others about our life and my kids."
One song, titled "Young Love," is a celebration of enduring love and a tribute to his relationship with April.
"My relationship with my wife is the most important to me. Celebrating 20 years of marriage this past July, we've seen God's hand in every aspect of our lives."
"Not everybody has a teenage pregnancy story, but a lot of people have a young love story. Maybe it's fresh out of high school, fresh out of college, or whatever it may be. But there's a way to celebrate that through the lens of Jesus, who is the one who led it."
Walker recently performed at the Grand Ole Opry, and his song "Man On The Middle Cross" was nominated for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of The Year at this year's Dove Awards. His songs can be listened to on both Christian and country radio.
Walker attributed his success to God and becoming the person God has called him to be.
"It's about being who you are, who you're made to be," he said. "I think people can read through it really quickly. …I think people appreciate authenticity. The same Rhett that wrote the title track in Publix is the same Rhett you see on stage and at home. … The more you travel, the more you realize this is just one big redneck world of people that are just making their way through life and trying to love Jesus."
"The accolades are cool, but what excites me most is connecting with people through my music," he added.
WATCH: Rhett Walker - Man on the Middle Cross || Exclusive K-LOVE Performance
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Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.