HARDY and Lainey Wilson Command The Stage During ‘Wait In The Truck’ Performance On ‘The Tonight Show’

The pair captivated viewers and won over a few new fans.

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

January 26, 2023

9:26 am

HARDY with Lainey Wilson; Photo by: Todd Owyoung/NBC

HARDY and Lainey Wilson brought country music to the big apple on Wednesday evening (Jan. 25) with a performance of “Wait In The Truck” on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

The superstars joined forces to perform the Top 10 and climbing hit on the late-night show and captivated viewers with their impressive vocals and commanding stage presence.

If the comments on YouTube are any indication, HARDY and Wilson won over a drove of new fans following their performance.

“I normally don’t like country music but this was fire,” wrote one YouTube user, while another shared, “Song of the year, regardless of genre. So good.”

Jimmy Fallon, Lainey Wilson, HARDY; Photo via Instagram

For their performance, HARDY sported a Nuthin’ Fancy hat and a plaid shirt with jeans, while Wilson donned a pair of her signature bell bottoms alongside a floral black top adorned with silver studs and a stylish hat.

Watch

Released in August of last year, “Wait In The Truck,” was an instant hit upon its debut. It also became the most-added song at country radio with 57 first-week stations when it went for adds on Monday, August 29, 2022.

Co-written by HARDY with Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt, and Renee Blair, “Wait In The Truck” tells the story of a woman who has experienced ongoing domestic abuse. The woman is ultimately saved by a stranger who takes matters into his own hands when he confronts the abusive man and shoots him to death.

With her newfound freedom, the woman ultimately feels torn between feeling relieved and guilty over her abuser’s death.

“I don’t know if he’s an angel / Cause angels don’t do what he did / He was hell-bent to find the man behind / All the whiskey scars I hid / I never thought my day of justice / Would come from a judge under his seat / But I knew right then I’d never get hit again when he said to me / Wait in the truck / Just wait in the truck,” Wilson sings, full of emotion.

HARDY and Wilson shared a cinematic music video coinciding with the release of the murder ballad. The Justin Clough-directed clip plays out like a movie and follows each line of the song perfectly, bringing the dark storyline to life.

“Wait In The Truck” was produced by Joey Moi and co-produced by HARDY, Derek Wells and Jordan Schmidt. HARDY said it’s one of his favorite songs in his catalog.

New Album

“Wait In The Truck” appears on HARDY’s recently released sophomore album, the mockingbird & THE CROW.

“the mockingbird & THE CROW is, in my opinion, the best thing I’ve made so far,” HARDY previously shared. “I had a lot of time to get in the weeds making this record with some of my favorite people in Nashville, and it truly captures every part of who I am as an artist. I’m honored that I get to share it with you next year; can’t wait to hear what you think about it.”

The project, which arrived on January 20 via Big Loud Records, features 17 tracks, including the previously released tunes: “here lies country music,” “the mockingbird & THE CROW,” “Jack,” “SOLD OUT,” “TRUCK BED” and more.

HARDY’s latest project also consists of three duets, the chart-climbing “wait in the truck” with Lainey Wilson, “Red” featuring Morgan Wallen and of course, “RADIO SONG” with Jeremy McKinnon.

The half rock/half country album was recorded between Ocean Way and Blackbird Studios in Nashville, entirely produced by Joey Moi with co-production by HARDY and Derek Wells, and co-production on select tracks by David Garcia, Jordan Schmidt, Ben Johnson, Andrew Wade, Jeremy McKinnon, and Cody Quistad.

HARDY co-wrote every single track on the album alongside some of Nashville’s most sought after songwriters, including Ashley Gorley, Rhett Akins, Hillary Lindsey, Jessie Jo Dillon, David Garcia, Hunter Phelps, Jordan Schmidt, and more.

Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images for ACM

New Tour

Additionally, HARDY will embark on a massive headlining tour next month in support of the new album, dubbed the mockingbird & THE CROW tour.

“I’m incredibly grateful to be able to bring this record to you next year. Touring it is something I’ve been thinking about since we started the recording process,” HARDY said. “This album is my best work so far. I truly believe that, and I want this tour to reflect that every night. Excited to have my buddies Blame My Youth and Jameson out with me; it’s going to be crazy.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by HARDY (@hardy)

The trek, which features support from Jameson Rodgers and Blame My Youth, kicks off on February 16 at Old National Centre in Indianapolis, Indiana. The tour will wrap up on April 29 at The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory in Irving, Texas.

Meanwhile, Lainey Wilson is currently in the midst of her first-ever headlining trek, dubbed the Country With A Flare Tour, which is completely sold-out and is in support of her latest album, Bell Bottom Country.

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.