Parker McCollum Pays Tribute To ‘My Sweet Friend’

Parker McCollum posted on Instagram a sweet message about his friend from middle school losing her battle with cancer this week.

Parker wrote in the lengthy post, which featured a photo of himself with his friend, Haley, and her son and husband, "Woke up to the worst news yesterday. My long-time friend Haley has passed away. She had been battling cancer for almost a decade now. So many people have followed her journey through social media, and I want them all to know that the girl they knew from tik tok and Instagram really was already an Angel here on earth."

He continued, "Such a wonderful human being even during the hardest days anyone could ever endure. We had known each other since 7th grade. She was one of the first friends I made when I moved to The Woodlands, and I didn't know a single person. She was on my mind the entire show last night in Alabama. I know she is pain-free now, and she will be missed dearly! Please pray for her family in the coming months! I know I will be! RIP, my sweet, sweet friend!"

Many fans reacted to McCollum's post, including one who wrote, "Praying for the family. My deepest condolences. I watched her journey. What strength she had. She was a fighter, for sure." One more fan commented, "So sorry for your loss. Prayers for all."

In happier news, we chatted with Parker recently, and he talked to us about celebrating his first wedding anniversary with his wife, Hallie Ray. He said, "I know how to push her buttons pretty well, and sometimes I do it just to do it because she's such a calm, consistent, emotionally stable person. I mean, she is the same person every single day. Unbelievably pleasant to be around, unbelievably easy to be around, and is like that all the time."

McCollum also acknowledged that the time is nearing for him and his wife to start having a family of their own. He said, "You know, it's knocking on my door, and sometimes I think about it, and at some point during the day, it would kind of cross my mind, and I will look in the back seat, and there's gonna be a damn car seat back there if I'm not careful."

Parker McCollum released a new song today (3/10) from his forthcoming studio album, Never Enough. The new song is called "Speed."

Parker said of the song in a statement, "My song 'Speed' is about my obsession with living fast. Life is always going a hundred miles an hour, and it's important to try and be aware of that and slow things down every now and then."

He adds, "As you get a little further along in life, you start to enjoy the slow and easy life. It takes a little reflection and a little step back from everything to realize how important it is."

Never Enough will be released everywhere on May 12, 2023, and will also feature the lead single "Handle On You," as well as recent releases "Stoned" and "I Ain't Going Nowhere." Fans can pre-order Never Enough on CD and vinyl, with a special signed white vinyl and signed CD exclusively available at ParkerMcCollum.com.

Earlier this week, McCollum participated in the Country Music Hall of Fame's American Currents: State of Music exhibition. The exhibit highlighted the country music landscape over the past year. The exhibit explores musical developments, artist achievements, and notable events determined by the Museum's curators and editorial staff.

Featured artists of the exhibit include McCollum, Wynonna Judd, Elvis Presley, Luke Combs, HARDY, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, Jordan Davis, and more. It is open to the public now through February 2024.

As his country music career continues to rise, we look at his last few years in country music.