Is Hardy OK? Country singer cancels shows due to 'serious anxiety' and 'panic attacks' following 2022 bus crash
NASHVILLE, TENNESSE: Country singer Hardy declared on social media on Tuesday, October 3, that he would be canceling or rescheduling three upcoming gigs due to "serious anxiety" and "panic attacks that have landed me in the hospital."
He said that over the past two weeks, these conditions have "taken over my life" and are the result of prolonged trauma from a bus accident in 2022.
The singer — whose real name is Michael Hardy — said he hopes to be in better condition on October 12 in Jonesboro, AR, when he resumes his fall headline tour.
In a message shared on Instagram, Hardy wrote, "I need to be honest with everyone for a second. 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," the country star added.
View this post on Instagram
The Thursday (October 5) event in Simpsonville, South Carolina, and the Saturday (October 7) performance in Brandon, Mississippi have been postponed, per Variety.
A third performance that was planned to take place at the Georgia Rodeo on Friday (October 6) between those two days has been rescheduled for April 12, 2024.
Hardy added that there would be refunds for the postponed Thursday through Saturday performances in South Carolina and Mississippi.
His record company, Big Loud, stated there would be no other remark on his condition beyond what the musician posted on social media.
View this post on Instagram
Hardy's 2022 tour bus accident
Hardy's statement comes just a few days after the one-year anniversary of the day he and three other people were returning from a concert in Bristol, Tennessee when their bus overturned on I-40 near Nashville.
The musician revealed in an Instagram post on October 2, 2022, that his tour bus had been in an accident while returning from Bristol, Tennessee, where he performed the night before, per People.
At the time, Hardy claimed that all four people on board had suffered "significant injuries," and that physicians had advised him to take several weeks off after being discharged from the hospital.
Fans were requested to "please keep our road family in your prayers" after Hardy promised to "update in the days to follow" on any changes to the tour's itinerary.
At the time, the singer posted a statement in which he sought prayers for the bus driver, who was still receiving treatment at the hospital and being attended to by his family.
View this post on Instagram
Hardy picked up four nominations for the CMA Awards
Recently, the country singer received four nominations for the CMA Awards, which will be held on November 8 in Nashville. These nominations follow his seven ACM Award nominations from earlier this spring.
He and Lainey Wilson collaborated on the song 'Wait in the Truck', which is competing for single of the year, song of the year, musical event of the year, and music video of the year.
After his anticipated comeback, Hardy's 'The Mockingbird & the Crow' tour will continue for two more months, ending on December 9.
Although he hasn't yet made any tour announcements for the next year, he will share the spotlight with longtime touring partner Morgan Wallen at the Stagecoach Festival in California in April 2024.