reSee.it Podcast Summary
Theo Von begins by announcing new tour dates, including a July 6 show in Utah, with pre-sale access on March 8 using code "rat king," and general availability on March 10. An additional Las Vegas show is set for July 1. He also mentions performances in Hollywood, Florida, on April 7, and in Uncasville, Connecticut on July 21, Bethlehem, PA on July 22, and Atlantic City, New Jersey on July 23. Tickets can be found at theovan.com.
The guest is Hardy, an award-winning singer and songwriter known for his work with artists like Morgan Wallen and Blake Shelton. He is currently promoting his new solo album, The Mockingbird and the Crow.
The conversation shifts to the impact of conveniences on modern life. They reminisce about a time before instant access to music, when songs were discovered through radio and cassette tapes, creating unique and personal experiences. They touch on the cultural influence of DJs and the limited ability to curate music selections in the past.
Hardy shares his background, growing up in Philadelphia, Mississippi, a small town of approximately 8,000 residents. He was raised in a musical environment where rock music was prominent, his mother played piano, and his father enjoyed rock and roll. He started playing guitar in fifth or sixth grade with a Fender Squier, and later picked it up again in his teens. He recalls being profoundly influenced by Pearl Jam’s Alive, which he heard in his dad’s truck, a moment that inspired him to pursue music. While initially drawn to rock, he eventually found his niche in country songwriting.
He discusses his dual role as a songwriter and performer. At nineteen, he moved to Nashville after attending East Central Community College and Middle Tennessee State University, where he studied commercial songwriting. He started as a songwriter with a publishing deal at Big Loud, writing for other artists before deciding to become a performer himself. He highlights the importance of the publishing system, including salary-based deals, mechanical royalties, and PROs, in providing income for songwriters, noting that radio success can lead to significant earnings.
Hardy explains the "drop a word, take a third" rule in Nashville publishing, which governs how credit is allocated and how songs are sometimes carefully protected until the right creative partnership emerges. He recalls meeting Laney Wilson during the Morgan tour and collaborating with Hunter Phelps and Jordan Schmidt on songs like Wait in the Truck. While Laney did not co-write that particular song, they developed a strong professional and personal connection.
He recounts meeting Laney during a Morgan tour stop at Ole Miss, which led to a road trip to San Diego to meet her parents. He proposed at the Lyric in Oxford, at the location of their first meeting, with flowers and a private performance. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining romance despite busy schedules, focusing on small, meaningful gestures, and utilizing the Love Languages framework, particularly acts of service and quality time.
They discuss the energy of live performances, contrasting the ease of Friday night shows with the anticipation of Thursdays and the crowds on Saturdays, the backstage atmosphere, and special moments when artists like Ronnie Dunn join them on stage. Hardy emphasizes the importance of staying curious, embracing growth, and balancing his artistic pursuits with his personal life as he continues to create and perform.
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