The following day, Walker called his producer, got in the studio, and finished recording his latest album, “Deeper Than Blood.”
In January, Walker’s new album reached the No. 1 spot on iTunes without any streaming, topping Brandon Lake, Maverick City Music, Anne Wilson, Lauren Daigle, and others for over a day.
Walker told ChurchLeaders that he has a huge heart for adoption, especially since his wife passed away before they were able to have children.
“Twenty percent of all my album sales goes to the Global Vision Adoption Foundation,” he said. “I was widowed at a young age. I never had a chance to have kids. So it’s always been something that’s very been very near and dear to my heart.”
Much like his pastor, Greg Locke, Walker isn’t one to shy away from controversy. In October 2023, Walker called out other Christian artists for not speaking against drag queen Flamy Grant attending the 54th Annual Dove Awards with Grace Baldridge and Caedmon’s Call’s Derek Webb. Webb wore a dress to the awards.
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Grace Baldridge, who goes by the stage name Semler, is an openly queer Christian artist who has been urging the Gospel Music Association (GMA) to recognize her for their Best New Artist award.
Walker said he received hateful and threatening messages after he publicly weighed in on the controversy.
“It hurt me both professionally and mentally for exposing what I thought needed to be brought into the light,” Walker said. “But I know I did what I was supposed to do.”
That’s when his nickname “Outlaw for Jesus” stuck—fitting for a country music singer.
Walker was nominated for Gospel Male Vocalist of the Year at the 2023 Josie Music Awards, an award ceremony that celebrates independent music artists.
