For Clay Walker, the road to becoming a multi-platinum country music star began in Beaumont, Texas. As a 16-year-old desk clerk working nights at a motel, he took a tape of a song he wrote to a nearby radio station. The incident lead to the first time Clay Walker would hear his name—and his voice—aired on the radio.

By the age of 26, Clay Walker was in great shape physically and in every other area of his life. He had recently completed his fourth album, his career was taking off, and his first daughter had just been born.

It wasn’t unusual for Clay Walker to hit the basketball courts for a pick-up game under the hot Texas sun. But one game of hoops in particular was different than any other he’d played. He realized something was wrong when he fell down several times on the court and one of his legs all but stopped functioning. His vision was blurred and shortly after that he was unable even to hold a guitar pick in his hand.

MS Diagnosis
An MRI revealed multiple lesions and scars on Clay Walker’s brain. The diagnosis: Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a disease that affects the central nervous system—the brain and spinal cord.

“If you’d asked me when I was diagnosed that first day if I would still be alive, I would have said ‘No’ because that’s what the doctors said,” Clay Walker admits. “Here I am, 10 years later and actually I’m probably healthier than I was 10 years ago.”

Now in remission, Clay Walker says his MS diagnosis has actually served as a motivator—inspiring him to take responsibility for his health and fitness. As he did, he learned to balance his private battle with a very public singing career that includes rigorous touring with his band.

MS Doesn’t Change Anything
“MS hasn’t changed my touring or my outlook on my career,” Clay Walker says. “I’ve always been a person who tries to get better every time I walk on stage. That hasn’t changed. As far as the amount of shows, that hasn't changed either.”

It’s no surprise then that Clay Walker’s MS diagnosis and his career began to influence one another. For example, in 1999 he released the title track to “Live, Laugh, Love,” which he says has become his theme song.

“You have to live, laugh and love no matter what’s going on in your life," the star says. "It’s not that you ignore or go into denial about MS, but you have to make a conscious choice what your attitude is going to be. I’ve maintained a good attitude all the way through this.”

Clay Walker Gives Back to MS
Giving back has been one way that Clay Walker has put his positive attitude to work for philanthropic causes. In fact, Clay Walker established the non-profit Band Against MS (BAMS) in February 2003 because he wanted to help others living with the same disease he has battled. BAMSprovides educational information and research grants to institutions searching for a cure or treatment for MS, and funds programs that help those living with the disease.

Recently BAMS presented a $25,000 check to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to help further their MS research. Clay Walker and Band Against MS took it one step farther in pledging to donate the same amount for the next two years, making their total contribution to Vanderbilt $75,000.

In addition, Clay Walker has spoken about his disease in recognition of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month in March and is an avid supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Habitat for Humanity, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the Ronald McDonald House Charities, among many others.

“Without people raising awareness, without people getting in the public eye, less people will hear about it. I feel that’s something that I can do: Get out there and let people know there’s something you can do for it,” Walker says.

Walker was honored by Country Radio Broadcasters as their Artist Humanitarian of the Year. “It’s an honor to be chosen by my peers who have watched me grow as an entertainer, but more importantly as a human being,” says Walker.

Clay Walker has teamed with acclaimed producer Keith Stegall to record his first album for Curb Records, FALL.