HARDY Shares Hilarious Prank Video Ahead of New EP and Opry Debut

Country artist HARDY is bringing it back to his roots. With a new EP on the way, a debut at the Grand Ole Opry, and a viral video that has fans laughing across Nashville, the award-winning singer-songwriter is keeping things authentic, funny, and full of heart.

Set to release on May 2, 2025, “COUNTRY!” is a five-track collection that dives into the stories and sounds that shaped his musical upbringing. The project follows his live album “HARDY (Live From Red Rocks)” and his genre-bending chart-topper “Quit!!’

A Return to His Roots

In a recent Instagram post, HARDY surprised fans by announcing the first two tracks from the new project—“Favorite Country Song” and “Buck on the Wall”—dropped on April 11.

“These are the first two songs from a five-song EP called COUNTRY! that I’m putting out May 2,” he wrote on Instagram. “You guys deserve to hear new HARDY music before the JIM BOB world tour this summer, and I’m excited to share this new chapter with you, starting TONIGHT.”

The two new singles reflect HARDY’s signature storytelling style, tapping into themes of small-town life, nostalgia, and personal history. The EP promises to blend the grit of his early songwriting days with the polished sound fans have come to expect, making it both a reflection and a progression of his career.

Hardy Goes Viral in Nashville

HARDY is also gearing up for a major moment in his career: his Grand Ole Opry debut on April 29. The performance is a rite of passage for country artists and a sign of his growing presence in the genre.

But in true HARDY fashion, he’s not promoting the release with just a press announcement. He recently shared a tongue-in-cheek video of himself driving around Nashville, hilariously going unrecognized by locals. Captioned “Almost famous,” the video shows HARDY chatting with pedestrians, some of whom excitedly recognize him, while others look shocked and confused. At one point, one Nashville enthusiast even asks the singer, “Who are you?” to which he responds, “Your Mom,” poking fun at the situation.

The viral moment highlights what fans love about him—his sense of humor, humility, and down-to-earth vibe.

Born Michael Hardy, professionally known as HARDY, the singer is a Mississippi native known for blending rock, country, and southern storytelling in a way that’s both raw and radio-ready. He got his start penning hits for artists like Morgan Wallen and Blake Shelton before launching his artist career. With hits like “Wait in the Truck” featuring Lainey Wilson and “Give Heaven Some Hell,” HARDY has quickly become one of country music’s most compelling voices.