That Wasn’t on My Bingo Card

On QUIT!!, HARDY’s new rock album released Friday (July 15) via Big Loud Rock, several characters exhibit quite unsettling traits. One such character, “Jim Bob,” is a pill-popping veteran experiencing breakdowns, while another, the protagonist on “Psycho,” becomes unhinged at the thought of his girlfriend leaving.

But HARDY insists these troubled characters are products of his imagination rather than reflections of himself. “I’m a pretty tame, surprisingly soft-spoken dude,” he says. Despite this, he unleashes a rock-and-roll howl on QUIT!! that’s worthy of the best heavy metal singers.

Some tracks on the album are deeply personal, including the titular “Quit.” This track narrates a true story about how a bar patron wrote “quit” on a napkin and put it in HARDY’s tip jar over a decade ago. That single word fueled HARDY’s drive and ambition, creating a chip on his shoulder that still motivates him.

“Feeling like you have something to prove is important for my creative spirit,” he says. “Complacency kills.”

The album also details the happier moments of his life, such as meeting his wife, Caleigh, on “WHYBMWL,” which stands for “where have you been my whole life.” The set closes with the romantic yet fatalistic “Six Feet Under (Caleigh’s Song).”

HARDY recalls, “I surprised her with ‘Six Feet Under’ and didn’t play it for her until the entire album was done. She lost it, which was the reaction I needed.”

HARDY arrived in Nashville more than ten years ago to pursue songwriting in the country music genre, penning hits for artists like Florida Georgia Line, Morgan Wallen, and Blake Shelton before releasing his debut album, 2020’s A Rock. This album included the Billboard Country Airplay No. 1, “One Beer.”

Following up with 2023’s The Mockingbird & The Crow, which melded country with rock, he topped Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart and landed singles like “Jack,” “Sold Out,” and the title track on the Hot Hard Rock Songs chart.

Over the years, HARDY has built a reputation as one of Nashville’s top songwriters. He attributes his skill with words to a lifelong knack for English, explaining that while he struggled with subjects like math and science, language always came naturally to him.

Despite his unconventional musical path, HARDY feels he’s been embraced by Nashville’s music scene. “I’ve heard the horror stories about creative suppression, but I’ve never experienced it,” he says, crediting his label Big Loud and publisher Relative Music Group for their support.

Even on songs like “Orphan,” which critique the country music industry, HARDY stresses that his battles are more internal than external. His first publishing deal left a mark, particularly over his redneck-themed songs, an issue he still channels into his work.

While HARDY’s rock songs may seem more raw due to their intense delivery, he finds country music allows for deeper emotional expression. “There’s more poetry in country,” he says. “I get more emotion out in songs like ‘Wait in the Truck’ and ‘Give Heaven Some Hell.’”

Though he avoids reading social media comments, HARDY is pleased that fans have embraced the various facets of his music. “The reception seems pretty good so far,” he says.

Creating QUIT!! wasn’t about cohesion for HARDY. “I know it’s all over the place sonically,” he admits. “But I wrote rock songs that I love and hope fans will enjoy too.”

HARDY aimed for relatability with songs like “Jim Bob.” “I wanted a song where everyone in the crowd would feel like, ‘This is me, I want to go get drunk and shoot my pistol in the sky,’” he explains.

Despite his wild lyrics, HARDY keeps himself in check, particularly given his family’s history with alcohol issues. “You have to be aware and keep it in control,” he says.

The album also features big-name collaborations, including Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith on “Good Girl Phase” and Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst on “Soul4Sale.”

HARDY met Smith through Nickelback’s Chad Kroeger at the Super Bowl, connecting via their mutual producer, Joey Moi. Paying tribute to Nickelback, HARDY wrote “Rockstar” on the album, referencing the band and their hit song of the same name.

“To meet people who truly influenced me growing up and then to become friends with them, it’s very cool,” HARDY says.

Among the stars he hopes to collaborate with in the future, Dave Grohl of Foo Fighters tops HARDY’s list. “Dave Grohl is definitely No. 1,” he says.

Though his music career keeps him busy, HARDY has also dabbled in acting, convincingly playing a mental patient in the “Psycho” video. “I love acting,” he admits.

HARDY is set to headline his first stadium gig on September 12 in Starkville, Mississippi, near his hometown. “It will be really emotional,” he says. “I’m truly ready for this one and looking forward to it.”

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