“Know That You Deserve to Be There”: Lainey Wilson Shares Heartfelt Video Message to HARDY Ahead of Opry Debut
By Maxim Mower
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As HARDY prepared to take the stage for his long-awaited Grand Ole Opry debut, Lainey Wilson surprised her ‘wait in the truck’ duet partner with a sweet video message.
Shortly before HARDY was due to begin his performance, the 2023 CMA Entertainer of the Year popped up on the big-screen behind the hallowed Opry circle, with Lainey Wilson outlining her pride at seeing her good friend checking off this milestone.
The Louisiana hitmaker gushed, “I cannot believe they are letting you play the Opry stage! I am so excited for you. I wish I could be there, but I just hope you soak it up and just stand in that circle and know that you deserve to be there. I love you so much”.
HARDY and Lainey Wilson have been pals for years now, with the duo teaming up for the haunting, chart-topping ‘wait in the truck’ back in 2022. Wilson has also appeared on HARDY's beloved HIXTAPE series in the past, joining forces with Chase Rice and Granger Smith for ‘Beer Song’ from the mixtape series’ second instalment.
As Lainey Wilson was unable to make it to HARDY's Opry debut, the recently crowned ACM New Female Artist of the Year, Ella Langley, filled in for Wilson's portion of ‘wait in the truck’. Langley brought her trademark charisma and swagger to the stage, with her distinctive drawl combining seamlessly with HARDY's brooding delivery.
Alongside ‘wait in the truck’, HARDY treated the Opry crowd to his early fan-favourites, the introspective ‘Signed, Sober You’, as well as his new single, ‘Favorite Country Song’.
With HARDY being a pivotal part of the Nashville scene for over five years now, when it was announced that he'd be making his Opry debut, many were bemused he hadn't yet stepped into the circle. As a result, HARDY's set was pervaded by a sense of warmth and reverence, with there being no question that the genre-blending maverick has earned his spot on that stage, as Lainey Wilson highlighted.
For more on HARDY, see below:
