Country star Hardy announced on social media Tuesday that he is canceling or postponing his next three concerts, due to what he described as “serious anxiety” and panic attacks that have “landed me in the hospital.” He indicated that these conditions have “taken over my life” over the last two weeks, and represent delayed trauma from a bus accident a year ago.
The singer noted that he expects to be in better shape in nine days, when he will resume his fall headlining tour on Oct. 12 in Jonesboro, AR.
“I need to be honest with everyone for a second,” Hardy wrote. “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 has caused me to suffer many panic attacks which have landed me in the hospital. I need a moment to focus on me and to make myself better for my wife, family and you, the fans. … My plan is to be back and focused on Oct. 12. Thank you for understanding, see you soon.”
Two of the shows have been canceled: a planned show in Simpsonville, SC on Thursday, and another in Brandon, MS, on Saturday. A third show that was to have happened in between those dates, at the Georgia Rodeo on Friday, was postponed and has been rescheduled for April 12, 2024.
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Hardy’s announcement comes just days after the one-year anniversary of a bus overturning that occurred on I-40 near Nashville as he and three others returned from a show in Bristol, TN. At the time, Hardy said all four on board received “significant injuries,” though he said he had been ordered by doctors to spend several weeks recovering after being released from the hospital.
His label, Big Loud, said there would be no further comment beyond what the artist wrote on social media.
Hardy’s “The Mockingbird & the Crow” tour has two more months to go after his planned return, running through Dec. 9. He hasn’t announced any tour plans for next year, but will be one of the top-billed acts at California’s Stagecoach Festival next April, sharing the bill with his collaborator and frequent tourmate Morgan Wallen.
The singer-songwriter recently picked up four nominations for the CMA Awards, which will take place in Nashville Nov. 8. His song “Wait in the Truck,” a duet with Lainey Wilson, is up for single of the year, song of the year, musical event of the year and music video of the year. These noms come on the heels of the seven nominations he had for the ACM Awards in the spring.
Hardy’s success has not just come in the country world. In April, his crossover song “Jack” reached No. 1 in the rock format.
