CHRISTIAN HAYES RETURNS WITH HIGH-ENERGY ROAD ANTHEM “65 ON THE INTERSTATE”
RISING FOLK-POP ARTIST CHRISTIAN HAYES RETURNS WITH
HIGH-ENERGY ROAD ANTHEM “65 ON THE INTERSTATE”
Today marks the premiere of “65 on the Interstate” — a triumphant new track from Appalachian folk-pop artist Christian Hayes. Out now via Capitol Records, “65 on the Interstate” brings the 26-year-old singer/songwriter’s heart-on-sleeve storytelling to a high-energy road anthem with sensitivity and soul. Listen to “65 on the Interstate” HERE.
Co-written by Hayes, Jack Riley (Cameron Whitcomb, Grace VanderWaal), and indie-folk singer/songwriter Chance Emerson, “65 on the Interstate” explores the timeless theme of heartbreak with an unmistakably fresh and forward-thinking outlook.
“‘65 on the Interstate’ is about learning not to fall into the same old patterns when it comes to relationships, or their endings,” says Hayes. “At the same time it’s about acknowledging that the world keeps spinning, and a new chapter is on its way. So as much as a breakup might hurt, it’s never the end of the world.”
Produced by Brett Truitt (Mat Kearney, Maggie Rose), “65 on the Interstate” brilliantly threads the needle between heavy-hearted longing and hopeful determination — a dynamic perfectly echoed in its bright guitar tones and melancholy vocal work. After owning up to his heartache and hurt feelings (“Down on my luck, you call back / There’s no way I fall for that / You’re just looking for sympathy”), Hayes arrives at a deeper truth by the time the sing-along-ready chorus hits: “This whole world just keeps on spinning / This ole heart keeps getting broke / I’m not saying I need fixing / I’m just asking for some hope / 65 on the interstate / But I’m driving the other way.” Propelled by the pure velocity of its uptempo rhythms, “65 on the Interstate” ultimately hits with the sublime impact of a head-clearing drive out on the open road.
Like all of Hayes’ output to date (such as his 2024 viral hit “LILY”), “65 on the Interstate” demonstrates an emotional intelligence and depth of understanding incredibly rare for his young age. The follow-up to “Caroline, Oh Caroline” (a September release lauded by MELODIC Magazine, who stated that the track “exudes a nostalgic country-rock vibe, with catchy guitar lines and bittersweet lyrics”), the song is latest in a series of powerfully resonant singles from the Georgia-bred, Nashville-based musician. Over the last few months alone, he’s earned buzz with “Good As It Gets” (an open-hearted love song about letting a new romance bloom at its own pace) and “Something To Lose” (an intimate reflection on finding your purpose in life). Later reimagined as a harmony-fueled collaboration with Corey Harper, “Something To Lose” quickly landed on coveted playlists from Holler (who included it on its “Best New Country Songs” roundup), Fandom Daily, Up2Date Country, Country Central, Prime Time Country Music, and more.
Praised by the likes of MusicRow (who hailed his “hypnotic folksy pop-country sound”), TMRW Magazine (who noted his “gift for crafting songs that feel lived-in and universally resonant”), and BRIDGE Magazine (who proclaimed that “he’s a storyteller at heart, a man with a message wrapped in melody”), Hayes was recently profiled in Ones to Watch, who declared that “[a]t the soul of Hayes’ songwriting is vulnerability and transparency on experiences which have shaped him into who he is now. Memories that listeners can also find pieces of themselves in.”
An increasingly sought-after live act, Hayes recently took the stage at major festivals like CMA Fest, Jackalope Jamboree, and Born & Raised. He’s now gearing up for performances at Beer City Music Hall in Oklahoma City, OK (on November 5) and Revel Entertainment Center in Albuquerque, NM (on November 8). Go HERE for more info on Hayes’ upcoming live dates.
Born and raised in the foothills of Appalachia, Hayes comes from a long line of storytellers including his Grandpa Jack, a poet who encouraged him to start writing at seven-years-old. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve and attended the University of Alabama, eventually relocating to Nashville to launch his career. Soon after signing with Capitol, he released his 2024 debut EP Last I Love You, then further revealed the timeless power of his artistry on soul-baring songs like his early-2025 ballad “Through It All.” More new music from Hayes is on the way soon.
About Christian Hayes:
Raised in the Appalachian foothills of northern Georgia, Christian Hayes grew up surrounded by Southern storytelling. His grandfather — a poet by profession — encouraged him to begin writing in a journal at seven-years-old, sparking a habit that would eventually take Hayes to Nashville. A veteran of the US Navy Reserve, Hayes began applying the discipline of his military training to his work as a songwriter, amassing more than 900 original songs by his mid-twenties. Five of those songs appear on Last I Love You, his debut for Capitol Records, available now. Produced by Lukas Bracewell and steeped in Hayes’ unique version of American roots music, Last I Love You features the viral hit “LILY” (which racked up more than 3 million streams before the EP’s official release), the anthemic “Black Gold,” and a mix of effortless melodies, cinematic folk, and rowdy, barn-burning Americana. Earlier this year, Hayes made his debuts on both the Grand Ole Opry and Bluebird stages. Learn more at www.christianhayesmusic.com.
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Christian Hayes | Photo Credit: Evan Woodrum
