Parker McCollum Welcomes Baby Boy With Wife, Hallie Ray Light
Meet Major Yancey Tyler McCollum.
Parker McCollum, Hallie Ray Light, Major Yancey Tyler McCollum; Photo by Chris Kleinmeier
Parker McCollum has officially entered his dad era. On Thursday, August 8, the Texas-born country star and his wife, Hallie Ray Light welcomed their first child, a boy named Major Yancey Tyler McCollum.
One day following Major’s birth, the couple took to Instagram to share the excitement with their followers. Introducing their son to the world, they shared his full name and birth date alongside a series of stunning family photos from the hospital, their arrival at home, and even a photo with their dog, Ruger.
The country star commented on the joint point, writing, “Mom & Dad forever! I love you Hallie Ray and I love our Major Man!”
This news comes shortly after McCollum wrapped up his final two shows before becoming a dad and taking the necessary time off the road to be with his family. He made a post documenting this milestone with a series of photos from his performances in Minnesota and Wisconsin, and in the caption, he took a moment to reflect on the major life shift he was about to experience.
“I’ve got two weeks off to welcome little man into the world this week and I am so grateful to God for a healthy Hallie Ray, a healthy baby, the best fans in the world, the best band and crew in the world and the best friends and family ever,” he wrote. “Going to enjoy this much needed time off and HAVE A FREAKING KID. 48 hours till I’m forever known as dad. Love yall! See you soon!”
Hallie Ray commented on the post matching his enthusiasm as she said, “I love you!!!!! Let’s have a baby!!!!!”
McCollum and his other half tied the knot on March 28, 2022 at Boxwood Manor in Tomball, Texas after getting engaged in July of 2021. Almost two years later, they announced their pregnancy through a joint post on Wednesday (Feb. 7) that captured the couple sharing a kiss while on their tropical getaway to St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Hallie Ray was also clearly seen holding her growing baby bump.
“God’s little blessing. We Iove you so much already, Baby M,” she wrote at the time, to which Parker McCollum hilariously commented, “Wow! Awesome news! So happy to hear about this! I love you babe! Congrats!”
Since then, they have continued to share updates with fans throughout their nine-month-long journey. Most recently, the “Burn It Down” singer revealed the name they were most leaning towards for their first son during an interview on the Spencer Graves Show. First, he shared their plans to carry down his family name, Yancey, which stems from his late grandfather, Bobby Yancey, his mother, Stacey Yancey, and his own full name, Parker Yancey McCollum. Then the country star explained that their little one’s first name, Major, came to him while watching Rosebowl highlights and saw the name for the head coach for the South Alabama Jaguars, Major Applewhite.
Along with sorting out the name, Hallie Ray shared a look inside their finished nursery just one week before bringing Major home. The room features stunning brown paneling around the walls, accompanied by an adorable horse wallpaper and a navy blue rug with faded stars sitting in the center of the room. The western theme continues throughout the room in the new toys and décor, all of which is lit by various lamps that offer a warm glow.
“now we are just waiting on you, baby boy 🤎,” Hallie Ray captioned the brief room tour.
Just as Parker McCollum shared in his recent Instagram post, he is scheduled to take two weeks off the road to settle into his new life at home. Then on August 23, he will return to his headline Burn It Down Tour with a weekend of shows in Rio Rancho, NM, Dillon, CO and Morrison, CO.
Written by
Madeleine O’Connell
Madeleine O’Connell graduated from North Central College with a bachelors degree in Journalism and Broadcast Communications before deciding to pursue her studies further at DePaul University. There, she earned her masters degree in Digital Communication & Media Arts. O’Connell served as a freelance writer for over two years while also interning with the Academy of Country Music, SiriusXM and Circle Media and assisting with Amazon Music’s Country Heat Weekly podcast. In addition to Country Now, she has been published in American Songwriter, Music Mayhem, and Holler.Country. Madeleine O’Connell is a member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.