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HARDY Adds Two More No. 1s to his Discography with “TRUCK BED” and “wait in the truck”

HARDY is adding more hardware to his collection!

The 2022 BMI Songwriter of the Year officially kicked off CMA Fest week by celebrating his two No. 1 hits, “wait in the truck” feat. Lainey Wilson and “TRUCK BED” at the BMI Headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday (June 3).

Hosted by BMI and ASCAP, the music industry (including the Celeb Secrets gals!) gathered on top of the music company’s iconic rooftop in the heart of Music Row as the 33-year-old Big Loud Records/Big Loud Rock artist, Wilson, and the accompanying songwriters and producers for each chart-topper received plaques for the incredible milestones.

With the drinks flowing and a build-your-own taco station on hand, the lunchtime event kicked off with remarks about “wait in the truck” where songwriters Michael Hardy (BMI/Producer), Renee Blair (BMI), Hunter Phelps (ASCAP) and Jordan Schmidt (ASCAP/Producer), along with featured artist Lainey Wilson, spoke about the authenticity behind the ACM and CMA Award-winning hit.

“To all the songwriters, I love every one of you guys. This is one of my favorite group of people to write with in town. I know it takes a village for not just one song, but for two songs to go to number one so I’m incredibly thankful,” HARDY said to everyone in attendance.

“When I heard [Lainey] sing that, I believed that she was the person that went though that. She become that girl. There was such a conviction in her voice and I think that truly resonated with the listeners with the audience and that is what helped that song do what it did is because people truly believed in that,” he continued.

Back Row L-R: Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Big Loud’s Austen Adams, Warner Chappell Music’s Christina Wiltshire, Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart, Relative Music Group’s Dennis Matkosky, Tape Room Music’s Blain Rhodes, Relative Music Group’s Jesse Matkosky, ASCAP’s Duane Hobson, BMI’s Leslie Roberts; Front Row L-R: BMI’s Renee Blair, ASCAP’s Jordan Schmidt, BMI’s Lainey Wilson, BMI’s Michael Hardy, ASCAP’s Hunter Phelps, Producer Joey Moi; Photo Credit Larry McCormack for BMI

Noting that HARDY told her it was “one of the best things he’s ever written,” Lainey knew she had to be part of it from the moment she heard the demo, as it took her back to why she fell in love with Country music in the first place.

“I’m so proud to be apart of a song like this. I remember I was in the Nashville airport and HARDY sent me a text saying, ‘I know you already have a song about a truck, but here’s another one,'” Lainey recalled. “HARDY told me that this was the best thing he’s ever written and that I just had to listen to it. When I heard it, it took me back to why I fell in love with country music to begin with. It reminded me of songs from the 90s like that really tell a story, and this was about something that a lot of people don’t wanna talk about. It likes to get hidden behind closed doors.”

“I had made a promise to myself a long time ago that I would only sing and write music and be apart of songs that I didnt write that I felt like made a difference. And this song right here y’all has made a difference in so many people’s lives,” the 32-year-old continued. “The messages that I still get — I was singing it out in Oregon one day, just the chorus, and this lady in the front row as crying and saying thank you so much — and that right there is the power of storytelling. I thank God that I get to be a vessel.”

“This song right here is gonna stand a test of time. It truly is. It’s gonna be one of those songs that people will be talking about 50 years from now; so thank you so much for letting me be apart of it,” Lainey concluded.

“wait in the truck” marked Renee’s first No. 1, and to commemorate the special moment, Taylor guitars gifted her a BMI custom branded 210-dlx guitar. Speaking more on her attachment to the track, Renee shared with attendees,

“To me, the girl that was saved in this song is me. Thank you for helping re-instill the belief I was starting to lose in myself. And Lainey, thank you for taking what I did on the demo and attaching it to your rocket ship. I don’t think this song had any chance of being what it was without you. We just love songs so much, and this song feels like the coolest thing I’ve ever been apart of.”

“TRUCK BED” Photo: Back Row L-R: Big Loud’s Austen Adams, Warner Chappell Music’s Christina Wiltshire, ASCAP’s Duane Hobson, Studio Bank’s Kari Barnhart, Relative Music Group’s Dennis Matkosky, Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Tape Room Music’s Blain Rhodes, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Relative Music Group’s Jesse Matkosky; Front Row L-R: ASCAP’s Hunter Phelps, ASCAP’s Ashley Gorley, BMI’s Michael Hardy, BMI’s Ben Johnson, Producer Joey Moi; Photo Credit Larry McCormack for BMI

Following “wait in the truck,” songwriters Michael Hardy (BMI/Producer), Ben Johnson (BMI/Producer), Ashley Gorley (ASCAP) and Hunter Phelps (ASCAP) made their way to the stage to elaborate on the process behind “TRUCK BED,” as the Platinum hit serves as HARDY’s 15th No. 1 as a songwriter. Producers behind both tracks, Joey Moi and Derek Wells, also detailed the creative process.

I will never forget leaving the studio after we cut [TRUCK BED], I remember talking to Joey about how frustrated I was because I was like we f**ked it up and it’s never gonna sound as good. And [Joey] was like be patient… we have all the parts and I’m gonna tinker with it and dude sure enough, he went into the lab and made it sound amazing,” HARDY revealed.

“There’s times where people may get in the way or hold back creative freedoms, but I can truly tell you between producers and songwriters, every person that has sat in a chair today has made these songs better. That’s so important and that plays a huge part in a song going No 1. None of this would happen without the producers and the songwriters, but Big Loud… you guys crush it for me every single day. I know that I dont give you guys lay ups every time — I know that my music is a little left of center and that you have to push a little bit harder for my songs — but thank you for working hard for me.”

HARDY will take the stage to close out CMA Fest 2024 at Nissan Stadium on Sunday, June 9th.

For more coverage from CMA Fest 2024, click here. For more Country news, visit CelebSecretsCountry.com

Author

  • Juliet Schroder

    Juliet is the founder and executive producer/host of Celeb Secrets and Celeb Secrets Country. When not reporting on the latest news in pop culture and country music, she enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, watching sports and exploring the latest fashion trends. Juliet holds a B.S. in marketing from St. John's University.

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Juliet is the founder and executive producer/host of Celeb Secrets and Celeb Secrets Country. When not reporting on the latest news in pop culture and country music, she enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, watching sports and…

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