Hardy took home his very first ACM Award last night for Songwriter of the Year.
But he was more excited for his best friend (and frequent co-writer), Morgan Wallen, than himself after the show.
After the wild last year or so Morgan’s had since his racial slur scandal took place and he was subsequently banned from all award shows in 2021, he received his first award for his record breaking double album, Dangerous, taking home the ACM for Album of the Year last night.
Hardy said that he and his fiancée, Caleigh Ryan, cried more happy tears for Morgan’s win than they did when Hardy got the news about his award:
“Dude, me and my fiancée cried, I think, more over that award than this one. It means a lot for him, it means a lot… he works very hard. He deserves that award.
And for those that don’t know, your peers, our coworkers, vote for who should win this award.”
He continued, saying that he believed Morgan deserved a second chance to prove himself, and that this night was part of earning that redemption:
“To know that the entire country music industry voted for him to win that… everybody deserves a second chance, deserves a chance to fight for themselves and that’s exactly what’s happened.
So this was bigger than that award for him, it meant a lot, and I’m very proud of him.”
Morgan also referenced the work that he’s put in not only in creating the album, but working on himself personally, in his acceptance speech at the show, saying in part:
“To my son, this album and this award will signify that his daddy was a fighter and he chased his dreams and worked hard to make them a reality.
I wanna say a special thank you to all the songwriters, producers and musicians that played on this album, I wish they were standing here next to me now.”
Hardy was also a co-writer on Morgan’s recent #1 single, “Sand In My Boots“:
