We recently had the chance to connect with Craig Wayne Boyd and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Craig Wayne, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I grew up in a peaceful Pentecostal home but in my late teen years I had some experiences within the church that steered me away from my faith. I lived over a decade fighting what I knew was my path until one day while competing on NBC’s “The Voice” I had the opportunity to choose a song to perform in front of millions of viewers. Without hesitation I picked “The Old Rugged Cross” against my advisors wishes. That song moves hearts and to this day I receive the most beautiful fan mail/comments about how inspired that moment made them feel.
Ten years later I have been featured on several Christian collaborations, I always include at least one faith based song on every album I put out and I currently lead worship at our church. My family is better for it and my heart is full since embracing Christ’s calling on my life. I am so excited about the new wave of secular artists sharing their testimonies on stage and radio. It is a beautiful movement and I feel privileged to be apart of it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Howdy Ya’ll! I am Craig Wayne Boyd, country artist and winner of season 7 of The Voice. Born and raised in Mesquite, Texas, I grew up with a deep connection to music, particularly country and southern rock. I honed my craft over the years, performing in bars, songwriting, and working tirelessly to make my mark in the music industry. Following my win on The Voice, my single, “My Baby’s Got a Smile on Her Face,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, I have been honored to play the Grand Ole Opry 25+ times, I have shared the stage with Charlie Daniels, Travis Tritt, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Marshall Tucker Band, Kelsea Ballerini, Blake Shelton etc. and continue to tour the world sharing my country music.
Beyond my music, I am a devoted family man. I am married to my beautiful wife Taylor Boyd, and together we share five amazing, brilliant and musical kids.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My father Mike Wayne Boyd rooted me in work ethic while also encouraging me to be a creative. He was a truck driver in my youth and has since built his own trucking company. He is constantly on calls, assisting customers while nurturing his family life and horses. In his very limited spare time he himself is also a musician.
Learning from him to prioritize a balance of work, family and music has made me the man I am today. If my dad hadn’t put a banjo in my hands at 3 years old, taught me how to hitch my own trailer, encouraged me to learn all aspect of tuning, sound, musical gear etc., or shown me the value in knowing the business as well as the craft there would be no Craig Wayne Boyd. I am forever grateful for his guidance.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Life wasn’t always glamorous before my The Voice win — in fact, I spent a rough period nearly homeless living mostly out of my car eating cans of tuna and buying diapers with every pay check I got. After my early music publishing deal and group project fell apart, I found myself in Nashville with everything I owned in a storage unit, sleeping on a friend’s couch while parenting my young son. I was at the bottom. That low point, however, set the stage for an audition that would change my life: on a whim, I responded to The Voice casting call, landing a blind audition that eventually led to victory in Season 7. This journey from couch‑surfing underdog to national spotlight is my testament to stick-to-it-ive-ness and believing.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
The easiest question so far… my family.
My wife Taylor is my rock, plain and simple. She’s the one who’s stood by me through the highs and the lows, the long tours, the late nights, and the whirlwind that is this crazy music life. From the moment we met, I knew there was something special about her. She’s strong, graceful, patient, and full of love—not just for me, but for our kids and everyone around her. She grounds me, challenges me, and reminds me what really matters. She’s not just my partner in life and business—she’s my best friend, my greatest blessing, and the heart of our home.
My five kids Jaxon (13), Dakota (9) Graydon (7) Boston (5) and Blakely (4) are the greatest joy of my life. Each one of them has their own light, their own personality, and they constantly remind me of what’s truly important. Being a dad isn’t just a role—it’s who I am. No matter what’s happening on the road or in the studio, coming home to their laughter, their questions, their hugs… that’s everything. They’ve taught me patience, humility, and a deeper kind of love I didn’t even know I had in me. Watching them grow up, seeing them chase their own dreams, it inspires me every day. And at the end of the day, the music and the accolades mean a lot, but being their dad?… That’s the legacy I care about.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
Lately I am feeling most at peace when I am working in my yard. At the beginning of the year we were blessed with a larger home for our family of 7 since we had outgrown our old one. With that home came a nice yard I am now filling with a vegetable garden, roses and shrubbery. We have had so much rain everything is growing up quickly and cucumbers you’ve grown yourself just seem to taste better. Getting in the dirt with my kids, feeling the earth under my feet, no noise except for nature and small talk with my wife, daughters or sons is really all I need on my days off. Maybe I will retire one day and get a piece of land like my coach from “The Voice”, Blake Shelton, has. Ready for my own tractor and some corn fields!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.craigwayneboyd.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cwbyall/
- Twitter: https://x.com/cwbyall?s=11
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Craigwayneboyd/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Craigwayneboyd
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4zt5aHAmGXYBO8FaWAbDGt?si=Y7O5fhTeS_ihg-g9YRx-rg
