HARDY has lots to celebrate after attending the 2022 ACM Awards earlier this week!
During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the “One Beer” singer opened up about winning the ACM Songwriter Of The Year award at the 57th Academy Of Country Music Awards on Monday, March 7.
“It’s awesome, it means everything. I don’t think I’ve process fully, the whole situation,” the chart-topping singer/songwriter shared while holding back happy tears and trying to find the words to express how grateful he is for the coveted award. “It’s incredible to know that everybody that was nominated were like veterans and I know that I’m young and up-and-coming, but I don’t know. To feel and know that a big group of people think that I deserve this is incredible and just amazing.”
“It hit me pretty hard this afternoon when I found out [that I won],” he added. “I just care so much about the songwriting industry and everything involved: the grind, the young ones, the OGs and I’m more passionate about that than anything in the music industry. It’s going to be easier to process because I definitely care so much about it, it’s really important to me.”
The Songwriter Of The Year award win comes as no surprise as the 31-year-old musician has written song for a star-studded list of country artists. In addition to writing songs for his own project, HARDY has also co-written songs for artists such as Blake Shelton, Morgan Wallen, Dierks Bentley, Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line and many more.
While chatting with DiLaura, HARDY also chatted about his longtime friend and Big Loud labelmate, Morgan Wallen, winning his first-ever ACM Award.
“One of your best friends, Morgan Wallen, also won big tonight, Album Of The Year, what does this moment mean for him too?” ET host Cassie Di Laura asked the chart-topping singer.
The Mississippi native then admitted that he and his soon-to-be wife, Caleigh Ryan, became overcome with emotion when Wallen won Album Of The Year.
“Dude, me and my fiancée [Caleigh Ryan] cried, I think more over that award than this one,” HARDY said of his “Goin’ Nowhere” duet partner’s Album Of The Year win.
While appearing to hold back tears, HARDY continued to explain why Wallen’s win meant so much to him.
“It means a lot for him, it means a lot. He works very hard,” HARDY said. “He deserves that award and for those that don’t know, your peers, our co-workers vote for who should win this award and to know that the entire country music industry voted for him to win that. Everybody deserves a second chance and deserves a chance to fight for themselves and that’s exactly what happened. So, this is bigger than that award for him and that meant a lot. I’m very proud of him.”
Wallen’s win was even more special to HARDY as he co-wrote several of the tracks on award-winning project, including “More Than My Hometown,” “Still Goin’ Down,” “Beer Don’t,” “Somethin’ Country,” “This Bar,” “Livin’ The Dream,” and Wallen’s latest chart-topper, “Sand In My Boots.”
Wallen’s record-breaking sophomore project, Dangerous: The Double Album, took home the trophy for Album Of The Year at the star-studded 57th Academy Of Country Music Awards ceremony.
The East Tennessee native was on hand at the award’s ceremony to accept the honor at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Sporting a suit with a tan vest, Wallen shared a humble speech where he thanked his family fans and those involved in the process of making the album.
“When I started this album I was a kid, by the time I put it out I was a father and that’s become more important to me than anything else,” Wallen began.
“To my son this album would signify that his daddy was a fighter and he chased his dreams and worked hard to make them a reality,” Wallen continued. “I want to say a special thank you to all the songwriters, producers, and musicians that played on this album. I wish you were standing here next to me, this project would not be complete without each other.”
“I’d also like to thank my good Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, my family, my close friends, my band, my team in Nashville, country radio and everyone who’s shown me grace along the way,” the country hitmaker continued. “Most importantly I have to address my fans, personally and directly, thank you, thank you, thank you. I am blown away by you guys.”
The Album Of The Year win comes as Dangerous: The Double Album became the country album with the most weeks (60) in the Top 10 in Billboard 200 chart history. This achievement breaks a record previously held by Swift’s Fearless, which sat in the Billboard 200 chart Top 10 for 59 weeks.
HARDY is currently in the midst of Wallen’s sold-out headlining tour, which he serves as direct support, throughout the remainder of the year.
See all of Morgan Wallen’s upcoming Dangerous Tour dates HERE.
