We had the chance to hang out for a few minutes ahead of the show and chat with HARDY! What a cool guy!
Today is Hardy’s birthday. Cody and I have made it no secret that we are huge fans of Hardy’s music. You’ll probably remember that Hardy sold out The Bell Auditorium earlier this year. We had the chance to sit down with Hardy for about 10 minutes before the show. If you missed our interview with him, we’re going to repost it here for you to check out.
The Wake Up Krew Talks To Hardy
Check out our conversation with Hardy. We had the chance to sit down and talk to Hardy before his sold out show at the Bell Auditorium Saturday night. Cody and I had been looking forward to this show for quite a while. Neither of us had ever seen Hardy live before. I’d interviewed Hardy once before on the phone, but this was my first time meeting him in person.
There was a lot of buzz around this show. It sold out in less than two weeks. People had been asking about tickets for weeks. The crowd at The Bell was so excited, and so were we. The energy in the room was insane. From the time the show started it was high energy and Cody and I were right there in it, having a blast.
Its definitely not a traditional country show. Hardy mixes country and hard rock like no one else I’ve ever seen before, and it works. You would think, country and hard rock? Huh?! I mean think about it Brantley Gilbert has toured with Five Finger Death Punch and he’s touring with Nickelback. So the connection between country and hard rock isn’t as crazy as you’d think.
For more on whats going on with Hardy, click here.
If you want to see more from The Kicks Wake Up Krew, click here.
Heres our conversation with Hardy from Saturday night at The Bell.
HARDY Wrote These Hit Songs
We’re less than a month away from HARDY coming to the Bell Auditorium. HARDY’s “the mocking bird & THE CROW” tour happens on Saturday, March 4th. Hopefully, you already have tickets. Because unfortunately, they are sold out! He is definitely making his mark in country music. His latest album, the mockingbird & THE CROW is a great album if you haven’t heard it yet! But you may not know that HARDY wrote these hit songs listed below!
It’s really cool when you learn that not only are they talented singers, but also so creative when it comes to writing songs. Sometimes I’m a little jealous of their skills! HARDY is not just a great singer… he’s also a songwriter in high demand. Last year, he won the 2022 ACM Songwriter of the Year award. And after that, he also won the 2022 AIMP Songwriter of the Year Award. Then he wrapped up the year with the BMI Songwriter of the Year Award.
There are a few of his hits that he recorded himself, including his debut single, “Rednecker,” and his latest hit with Lainey Wilson, “Wait In The Truck.” But his list of hits extends past his own recordings. Did you know HARDY wrote these hit songs?
HARDY was a co-writer on this one! He wrote it alongside Dierks, Breland, Ashley Gorley, Luke Dick, and Ross Copperman. HARDY and Breland are also featured on the song too. This was the 18th number one hit for Dierks.
2. Up Down - Morgan Wallen (feat. Florida Georgia Line)
This one was co-written by HARDY, Brad Clawson, and CJ Solar. This would end up being Morgan’s first #1! And HARDY even was part of the video!
3. Talk You Out Of It - Florida Georgia Line
For this one, HARDY teamed up with Jameson Rodgers, Hunter Phelps, and Alysa Vanderheym. This song made it in the top 11 in 2018.
4. Some Girls - Jameson Rodgers
This was Jameson Rodgers debut single. The song was written by HARDY with CJ Solar and Jake Mitchell.
5. Give Heaven Some Hell - HARDY
This powerful song became a top 11 hit. HARDY said it was one of his favorite songs he has ever written. It was a collaboration with Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson, and Hunter Phelps.
6. Come Back As A Country Boy - Blake Shelton
HARDY cowrote this one with Jordan Schmidt and Josh Thompson. It went to top 12 back in early 2022.
7. God's Country - Blake Shelton
This wound up being one of Blake’s biggest hits. It was written by HARDY with Devin Dawson and Jordan Schmidt.
8. Hell Right - Blake Shelton (Feat. Trace Adkins)
Another hit written by HARDY, along with David Garcia and Brett Tyler.
I Don't Know About You - Chris Lane
This song was a hit for Chris Lane back in 2018. It was written by HARDY, Hunter Phelps, and Jameson Rodgers.
10. More Than My Hometown - Morgan Wallen
Morgan and HARDY are a great team… and this one is another great one that also included writers Ernest and Ryan Vojtesak.
11. New Truck - Dylan Scott
This became Dylan’s second #1 hit this past year. He co-wrote it alongside HARDY, Hunter Phelps, Ashley Gorley, and Ben Johnson.
12. One Beer - HARDY (Feat. Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson
This is one he wrote and sang as well. This was written with Hillary Lindsey and Jake Mitchell. This would be HARDY’s first and only #1… for now!
13. Sand In My Boots - Morgan Wallen
Another great hit for Morgan Wallen, and it was written by HARDY along with Ashley Gorley and Josh Osborne. While Luke Bryan was interested in the song… Morgan grabbed it and took it to number 1 last year.
Single Saturday Night - Cole Swindell
For this one, HARDY and Cole Swindell wrote with Mark Holman and Ashley Gorley. This is one of Cole’s biggest hits so far.
15. Wait In The Truck - HARDY (Feat. Lainey Wilson)
HARDY wrote this one with Hunter Phelps and Jordan Schmidt. This powerful song is a great collaboration for the two artists who are really making an impact on country music right now! The video only makes the story even more powerful!
16. Holy Water - Michael Ray
This is another collaboration between HARDY, Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson, and Hunter Phelps, It was pitched to Blake Shelton before Michael Ray.
17. One Big Country Song - LoCash
This was written by HARDY along with Ashley Gorley and Jesse Frasure. It became a big hit for LoCash and was produced by FGL’s Tyler Hubbard.
18. Praise The Lord - Breland (Feat. Thomas Rhett)
This song was a collaboration between HARDY, Breland, Julian Bunetta, David Garcia, Jacob Durrett, Jessie Jo Dillon, Kyle Fishman, and Thomas Rhett. Breland and Thomas Rhett performed this one at the 2022 ACM Awards.
19. Simple - Florida Georgia Line
Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, and HARDY collaborated on this one which would be a #1 for the duo in 2018.
Bryan “Dub” Axelson is the host of the Kicks Wake Up Krew on KICKS 99 and has been with Beasley Media Group in Augusta for over 20 years. He got his start in radio by being a regular caller on the Kicks 99 morning show. He was soon hired and has worked in various roles in Augusta, including Promotions Director. He was raised in Georgia, and currently lives in Grovetown with his wife Kelsey, their daughter Maddie, and their 3 dogs. Dub enjoys watching sports, playing golf, spending time with his family, and discovering new music.
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