Can Clay Walker deliver? That's the question, and he's not afraid of it. In fact, he's positioned himself to answer it squarely – one way or another – this year. With new creative and business teams and a deep well of hard-earned wisdom, Walker relishes the challenge. In a sense, the question is absurd for a recording artist, songwriter and entertainer with 31 charted singles, a dozen No. 1s, four platinum albums and decades of performances to his credit. Titles spanning 15 years and still receiving strong airplay include “Live Until I Die,” "Dreaming With My Eyes Open," “This Woman And This Man,” "Hypnotize The Moon," "Rumor Has It," “Then What,” “The Chain Of Love," "I Can't Sleep" and "She Won't Be Lonely Long." Walker's still robust touring schedule continues to fuel interest in his releases, most recently the 76-song compilation Clay Walker – The Complete Albums 1993-2002. Among them is the chart-topper "If I Could Make A Living," which just celebrated the 25th anniversary of reaching its airplay peak, despite its singer showing no slippage in his celebrated matinee idol looks and megawatt smile.

Often overlooked in Walker's career has been the balance he's had between writing his own material – much of it solo, including many of his biggest hits – and recording undeniable songs from outside writers. "As much as I love writing and would love to write every song, it's not a smart move in most cases for an artist to write every song they record," he says. "Let the music lead – get the better songs, however they come." The workmanlike approach to his craft and genuine humility point to a mindset he carries into the other major aspect of being an artist: live performances. "The biggest thrill for an entertainer is seeing that crowd – waiting, hoping, excited," he explains. "Everyone is for you. They want you to sound great and put on the show of your life. You've got everything going for you before you even get on stage, so the only thing that can possibly hold you back is you. If that doesn't get you revved up, you're in the wrong business. What's so exhilarating is you can't stop, go back and re-sing a line you messed up," he says. "Every word, every line counts in real time. Hanging over that edge with every note and nailing it? I stepped off the bus for a show in Houston – just stepped off the bus – and got chill bumps all over me, all the way to my scalp, anticipating that feeling. I've got chill bumps right now just thinking about it. That lets you know you're doing what you were born to do, you still love it more than anything. And that's the challenge I face every day. If I'm not on stage, on that edge, doing it in real time, then I'm working toward it. Constantly.”