HARDY’s Wife, Caleigh Ryan, Grateful for Overwhelming Support Amid Singer’s Battle with Anxiety and Panic Attacks
“Thank you for being so understanding with my hubby,” she shared.
HARDY and Caleigh Ryan attend the 2023 CMT Music Awards at Moody Center on April 02, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for CMT)
HARDY’s wife, Caleigh Ryan, is speaking out after the genre-bending singer/songwriter was forced to cancel concerts after suffering due to crippling anxiety and panic attacks that led to his hospitalization.
In a message to her 230,000+ followers, Caleigh expressed her deep gratitude and appreciation for the outpouring of support and kindness she and HARDY have received since he shared an honest update with fans about his mental health.
“I just want to take a little sec to thank you all so much for your kind messages these past few days. The love and support has been overwhelming to say the least (in the best way possible) and it means more to us than you could ever imagine,” she wrote in an Instagram story on Friday afternoon (Oct. 6).
“It can be really scary to put intimate pieces of your life out there, so thank you for being so understanding with my hubby,” she continued. “If nothing else, just hearing how many people go through this or know someone who struggles, gives an immediate sense of community. Just remember that you are never ever alone. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Just three days ago, HARDY shared a candid update with his fans to explain what he’s been going through behind the scenes.
“I need to be honest with everyone for a second,” the award-winning singer/songwriter began. “I’ve been dealing with some serious anxiety since the bus accident last year and over the last two weeks, it has taken control of my life. It’s caused me to suffer many panic attacks which have landed me in the hospital.”
He revealed that he is going to use this time off the road to center himself and focus on what’s important.
“I need a moment to focus on me and to make myself better for my wife, family, and you, the fans,” HARDY explained.
He then revealed plans to cancel and or reschedule a handful of concerts.
“My plan is to be back and focused on Oct. 12th. Thank you for understanding. See you soon,” he said in conclusion.
According to his official website, HARDY’s next scheduled tour date is set for Oct. 12 in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
The tour bus accident that HARDY referred to in his post took place on October 2, 2022. According to a Tennessee Highway Patrol Officer, the accident occurred when his tour bus overturned on Interstate 40 West near the Wilson-Davidson county line, just outside of Nashville, Tenn. HARDY and his team were returning to Nashville from a show in Bristol, Tenn.
He detailed the incident in a social media post hours later.
“Following last night’s show, our tour bus was in an accident on our way home from Bristol. 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. His family is with him while he is being treated and we’re all pulling and praying for him,” HARDY wrote at the time.
His bus driver, Ricky, was later released from the hospital to recover at home.
Headlining Tour
HARDY is in the midst of his headlining the mockingbird & THE CROW Fall Tour, which kicked off with sold-out nights in Knoxville, Tenn. and Tuscaloosa, Ala. The trek, which features Lainey Wilson as a special guest, is set to run through December 9.
The news of HARDY’s canceled shows comes just days after the Mississippi native appeared at the first-ever People’s Choice Country Awards as a nominee and performer.
HARDY took home the award for The Music Video of 2023 for “wait in truck” with Lainey Wilson.
During the show, he delivered a rowdy performance of his latest single “Truck Bed,” which began in the back of a truck bed outside of the Grand Ole Opry. HARDY later made his way to the iconic Opry stage for the remainder of his performance.
“I woke up on the wrong side of the truck bed this morning/ With a bone dry bottle of Jack I was pouring/ Damn, she got some nerve, when she kicked me to the curb/ Guess you can say I got what I deserve/ ‘Cause I woke up on the wrong side of the truck bed this morning, yeah,” HARDY sang from country music’s most famous stage.
Co-written by HARDY alongside Ashley Gorley, Ben Johnson, and Hunter Phelps, “Truck Bed” appears on HARDY’s latest album, the mockingbird & THE CROW, which arrived on January 20, 2023 via Big Loud Records.
The project features 17 songs, including three collaborations: “Wait in the Truck” with Wilson, “Red” with Morgan Wallen, and “Radio Song” with A Day To Remember frontman Jeremy McKinnon.
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.
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