At only 18, Waylon Wyatt is juggling high school while pursuing an emerging country music career, sacrificing class time for recording sessions. He has now released his second EP, ‘Out of the Blue,’ and is preparing for a new headlining tour.
Stream: ‘Out of the Blue’ – Waylon Wyatt
“I strive to live by the saying: ‘Whatever you do, do it with all your heart.’”
Waylon Wyatt’s path to graduation has been anything but conventional. With rehearsals, recording sessions, and a busy tour itinerary, he missed over 120 hours of his senior year, putting his diploma at risk. However, with determination, support from his teachers, and a promise to perform at prom, Wyatt graduated high school while continuing to live in the spotlight. While his peers take the summer off before college or starting their careers, Wyatt is gearing up for the release of his second EP, 'Out of the Blue,' on June 6, followed by a headlining tour of more than 35 dates this fall.
“I’m still trying to grasp it all – I went from making TikToks in my room to flying to meetings in L.A. and recording my second EP. It’s surreal, but I feel incredibly fortunate. I’m just trying to stay grounded,” he shares, his soft Arkansas accent coloring his words.
Waylon Wyatt’s ‘Out of the Blue’ EP is available now!
This year has already been a whirlwind for him, featuring a standout performance at Stagecoach and a sold-out headlining tour promoting his debut EP, 'Til The Sun Goes Down,' which was recorded at the kitchen table in his childhood home.
Sitting on porch steps with wooden rails and an American flag swaying in the background, the 18-year-old from Hackett, Arkansas discussed finishing high school, chasing his dreams, and remaining true to himself. Clad in a “Jesus Freak” t-shirt from Walmart, he engages with surprising maturity, often concluding his statements with a respectful “yes, ma’am,” reflecting the deep respect instilled by his parents.
His new EP, 'Out of the Blue,' signifies a noticeable growth in Wyatt’s music and songwriting. Self-produced and very personal, it expands on the acoustic foundations of his debut, introducing new instruments and richer arrangements while maintaining the raw honesty that has won him a loyal fan base. It showcases a young artist developing his unique voice, blending vulnerability and resilience with a strong sense of storytelling.
Despite Hackett’s small population of just over 800 and its lack of a vibrant music scene, it provided Wyatt the essential elements of faith, family, and room to dream. His father and grandfather were fans of country music, and his older brother Dylan, who passed away when Wyatt was young, played guitar. “I picked it up for him,” Wyatt recalls. “That’s when it all truly clicked.”
Wyatt’s songwriting journey began even earlier. At the age of six, he wrote his first song, “How to Be a Man,” which he jokingly admits “didn’t make sense.” By twelve, he was investing his energy in rap, aspiring to emulate Eminem. However, a chance YouTube click at 15 led him to a Tyler Childers video that inspired him to pursue country music.
His first recorded track, “Everything Under the Sun,” came after a long day of labor with his dad. A friend encouraged him to share it online. “I thought I’d get ridiculed,” Wyatt recalls about the video where he was covered in dirt from his day’s work with his father. “Instead, people showed me support. A few record labels even reached out.”
One label found the construction company’s contact number on the branded hat he wore in the video and called the office. Within a week, Wyatt was on a Zoom call and shortly thereafter, on a flight to L.A.
Now, he’s releasing 'Out of the Blue,' a six-track EP that he both wrote and produced himself. His youthful authenticity and vulnerability resonate throughout the tracks, including “Smoke and Embers” featuring Willow Avalon, his favorite song “Out of the Blue,” and the recently released single “Sincerely, Your Son,” which serves as a heartfelt message to his parents—part gratitude, part apology.
“This one was quite a challenge to write,” he admits. “I penned this song around Thanksgiving. I was feeling emotional, as I sensed that my mom and dad didn’t feel very appreciated. I’m incredibly thankful for them and all they’ve done for me, but I’m not always vocal about it. I thought singing it would convey my appreciation.”
The song has become a staple in his live performances, with his dad in the audience, holding up two phones—one for TikTok Live and the other for his mom to watch back home. Before performing the song, he always asks the audience to say hello to her.
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At only 18, Waylon Wyatt managed to juggle high school with an emerging country music career, swapping classroom time for recording sessions. He has now released his second EP, 'Out of the Blue,' and is preparing to embark on a new headlining tour.