'Ground I Grew Up On': 'American Idol' winner Laine Hardy's new music video is a nostalgic tribute to Louisiana
The young country star Laine Hardy was crowned the winner of the 2019 'American Idol' singing competition last year, managing to see off the challenge of the equally popular singer-songwriter Alejandro Aranda, aka Scarypoolparty in the Season 17 finale. However, the ever-smiling Hardy had been rather quiet on the music front ever since he won the singing contest, and fans had been clamoring to see some new releases from the smooth-voiced singing sensation.
He finally answered their prayers when he dropped a brand-new music video for his latest song 'Ground I Grew Up On' on April 10 and a new single called 'Let There Be Country' on April 9. His previous releases thus far only extended to an EP titled 'In the Bayou' in 2018 and thus 'Let There Be Country' was actually his first music of 2020, soon followed up by this new music video.
The picturesque new video for 'Ground I Grew Up On' shows Laine Hardy paying homage to his roots in his gorgeous home state of Louisiana. The singer grew up in the town of Livingston, LA, before becoming a household name with 'American Idol'. In the new visualizer, Laine Hardy can be seen driving around the pretty woodlands of Livingston in his pickup truck.
We then see him loading up his pickup with coolers as he and his friends hunker down for a good old fashioned spot of fishing, motorboating and drinking by a majestic river, and we also get to see Laine on guitar at an evening campfire party.
"That ain't just dirt / That ain't just dust blowin' / That ain't just nothin' but an old fishin' hole / Ain't just some rooster crowin" sings Hardy at the start of the track, before launching into the crux of the song, "It's where I learned how to be a boy / Washed in the blood and red dirt mud / So girl, just kick back in that shotgun / Let me show you where I'm from."
Hardy then proceeds to tell us about his hometown's "gravel roads, tractors in fields, and how he cut loose in hand-me-down wheels." He also sings nostalgically about drinking Friday night beers by the train tracks and thinkin' that he'd never miss his hometown once he left. He then concludes, "But lookin’ back I couldn’t have been more wrong / ‘Cause that’s the ground I grew up on."
These heartwarming lyrics are accompanied by some awe-inspiring visuals of Livingston's scenic river as Laine & his buddies entertain us with their motorboat excursions and their campfire party.
“What I love most about this music video is, it is spot-on what I love to do and how I grew up, hanging with all my buddies on the river and just having a good time!” said Laine Hardy in a press release. “I hope that it helps people in Louisiana and the whole country in this crazy time we're all going through together. Hope it reminds people of the fun we will be having again soon.”
His fans were certainly loving the new music video on social media. "Great to see where Laine came from and the hometown pride he has! Livingston looks awesome! Love the cool country sound that is present in this song as well," said one admirer. Another enthusiastic viewer said, "Just watched the premiere. I was blown away! Such a perfect song for Laine, and yes — it will be a hit!"
Another local fan of Hardy's said, "I’m from Livingston Parish. I’ve lived here all my life and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else! You nailed it! I love it! We are so happy for you and wish you continued success!" A happy listener concluded, "Laine, you're so right about the ground we grow up on shaping us! I'm so grateful for my strong country roots, I'll never let them go! And you are a strong inspiration in showing one can chase his dreams and still stay true to their backgrounds."
Here's hoping we get to see more of Laine Hardy - he will be appearing on April 19 on 'American Idol' next week, so stay tuned for that!