‘Catch of the Day’ – Clay Walker – “Right Now” [AUDIO]

Today we focus on an artist who's first four albums were certified platinum, and who has charted six number 1 hits, but is known almost as well for his philanthropic work as he is his recording career.

Clay Walker hit the scene in 1993, when his first two singles, "What's It To You" and "Live Until I Die" both hit #1. His self-titled debut album, featuring the two singles, was released by Giant Nashville, with whom Walker would release his first five albums and a greatest hits compilation, until the label's closing in 2001. The debut album featured a third #1 single, "Dreaming With My Eyes Wide Open", which was also featured on the sound-track of the film The Thing Called Love.

Walker's work with Giant Nashville resulted in all six of his number 1 singles. From his follow-up album, 1994's If I Could Make A Living would come the title track and "This Woman and This Man". His third album, 1995's Hypnotize The Moon, failed to score a #1, but did land three top-5 singles. The title track of 1997's Rumor Has It scored Walker his sixth and most recent visit to the top of the chart. He released a Greatest Hits Package in 1998 which featured 2 top-5 singles, and his final album for Giant, 1999's Live, Laugh, Love featured the single "The Chain of Love", which peaked at #3.

In 2001, Walker moved on to Warner Bros. Nashville, releasing just one album for the label. Two singles from the album Say No More failed to crack the top-30, and Walker decided Warner Bros and he were not a good fit and left the label for RCA Nashville. He would have only album RCA also, 2003'sA Few Questions. The title track from the album hit #9, but the album, for the most part, was both a critical and commercial bomb, and the singer was released by the label.

Walker when find his was to Elektra-Asylum Curb Records in 2005, releasing the album Fall in 2007. Three singles were released from the album, with the most successful being the title track, which peaked at #5. In 2010, the single "She Won't Be Lonely Long" was released, hitting number 4, and was followed by an EP of the same name in 2010. 3 more singles from the EP followed, one each in 2010, 2011 & 2012, none of them managing to crack the top-30.

In 1996, Walker was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Instead of it becoming a detriment to his career, he has turned it into a non-profit charity Band Against MS, which the singer founded in 2003. He has hosted countless event to help raise funds and awareness of MS. In 2008, Walker was recognized with the Country Radio Broadcaster's Artist Humanitarian Award for his tireless efforts in support of MS organizations, including an annual golf tournament benefiting his organization.

No hint of new music from Walker had been heard since the release of the 2009 EP, But recently, country radio received a brand new single from him, with the news that there will be a brand new album in 2016, tentatively called Long Live The Cowboy. The first single from the album is in our spotlight today. Clay Walker and "Right Now" is today's Catch of the Day, new music you haven't heard, but you'll want to hear it again.