HARDY Cancels Upcoming Concerts Following Tour Bus Crash, Issues Statement: ‘I’m Very Sorry’

“I have decided that it is in my best interest to cancel the shows that I have coming up…”

By

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

October 4, 2022

at

7:55 pm

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HARDY; Photos via Instagram

HARDY has issued a statement regarding his upcoming concerts in the wake of his tour bus crash, which took place on Sunday (Oct. 2). 

The “Wait In The Truck Singer” took to social media on Tuesday evening with a video message informing fans that his next two shows will be impacted by the incident. 

“Update on me, my friends and shows for the next two weeks,” he captioned the clip, referencing the status of his upcoming concerts as well as a health update on his tour manager, Noah Brown, photographer, Tanner Gallagher, and bus driver, Ricky.

HARDY; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
HARDY; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

“What’s up guys, HARDY here, just giving an update on myself. I just got done hanging out with Tanner [Gallagher], Tanner is okay. Noah [Brown] is okay, we still want you guys to pray for our bus driver, Ricky, who is still not in the clear yet, so if you guys could please pray for him that would be greatly appreciated,” HARDY said in the clip.

He went on to reveal that he feels it’s best to delay his return to the road. 

“I have decided that it is in my best interest to cancel the shows that I have coming up and that is Arlington, Texas, and that is Flanagan’s in Columbus, Ohio. I’m very sorry, but it’s just what I need to do right now,” HARDY explained.

ERNEST, Morgan Wallen, HARDY; Photo by Getty Images for ACM
ERNEST, Morgan Wallen, HARDY; Photo by Getty Images for ACM

He then revealed that ERNEST would be taking his place in Arlington, Texas to serve as direct support for Morgan Wallen on Saturday (Oct. 8). HARDY also shared that his show at Flanagan’s in Columbus, Ohio was rescheduled for July 1, 2023.

HARDY concluded his video message to fans by asking for fans to continue praying for his bus driver as well as thanked them for their support, before promising fans that they will return to the road in no time.

“I love you guys, thank you for all the love and support and just keep praying for Ricky, my bus driver. He really needs it. And he got a good report tonight, but he needs all the love and all the prayers that he can get. I love you guys and we will 100% bounce back from this and it’s gonna be bigger and better than it ever was before. I love you guys and we will be fine in time. So, thank you again and see you guys out there.”

He previously shared a minor update with fans late Sunday evening (Oct. 2) in the form of a selfie with his soon-to-be wife Caleigh Ryan, who in the photo is resting her head on his arm.

“Thank you for all the texts and calls,” HARDY wrote alongside the photo in his Instagram stories. “I’m alive and that’s all that matters. I love you all.”

HARDY’s fiancé, Ryan, also shared an update on her Instagram stories via a photo of the couple holding hands. 

HARDY: Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM
HARDY: Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for ACM

“Thank you all so so much for all of the prayers and well wishes. I’m thanking God with all of my heart that I’m able to hold his hand right now,” she wrote, before adding, “Michael [Hardy], Tanner [Gallagher] and Noah [Brown] are ok, thank God. They suffered some injuries, but Ricky [Hudson] still very much needs everyone’s prayers. It really is a miracle that everyone is alive.”

According to several social media posts as well as HARDY himself, Ricky is a member of HARDY’s crew who is the tour bus driver.

Just hours after the incident occurred on Sunday (Oct. 2), HARDY shared a statement on social media, letting his followers know that he is doing okay.

“Following last night’s show, our tour bus was in an accident on our way home from Bristol,” HARDY’s statement began. “There were just four of us, including myself, on the bus, however we were all treated for significant injuries. Our friend and bus driver needs your prayers as he is still in the hospital,” he continued. “His family is with him while he is being treated and we’re all pulling and praying for him.”

HARDY then added that he was released from the hospital after being treated for injuries.

“I’ve been released from the hospital, but ordered by doctors to recover for the next few weeks which may cost us at a couple of shows,” the statement concluded. “My team and I will keep the fans updated on that as I rest in the coming days. Please keep our road family in your prayers and I promise to keep you updated in the days to follow. God bless our medics and local and state officials for their quick response and incredible service.”

After HARDY shared his first statement on social media, artists and fans offered an outpouring of prayers for the hitmaker and his team. 

Country artists such as Miranda Lambert, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Thomas Rhett, Jon Langston, Jake Owen, Raelynn, Kameron Marlowe, Dan + Shay’s Dan Smyers, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild, Callista Clark, Chris Lane, and more took to the comments of the Mississippi native’s post to send prayers and wish him and his team a speedy recovery. 

In addition to the country music community, several artists, songwriters and musicians from other genres are sent prayers to HARDY and his team in the comments, including Jon Devine (One Direction drummer), I Prevail’s Brian Burkheiser, ATTILA’s Chris Fronzak, Papa Roach’s Jacoby Shaddix, Cory Marks, Beartooth’s Caleb Shomo, among many others.

HARDY; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
HARDY; Photo by Andrew Wendowski

The accident occurred when HARDY was returning from Country Thunder Bristol where he served as direct support for Saturday’s headliner, Morgan Wallen. Also on the bill were Lauren Alaina, Tracy Lawrence, and Ian Munsick.

Later this year, HARDY will embark on his headlining Wall To Wall Tour, which kicks off on December 1 with back-to-back, sold-out shows at Georgia Theater in Athens, Georgia. The Wall To Wall Tour features support from Jackson Dean and “Blurry” hitmakers Puddle Of Mudd on select dates.

For a full list of HARDY’s upcoming tour dates visit his official website HERE.

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Lauren Jo Black

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.