Hardy took the stage on The Tonight Show for a moving performance of his song “Bottomland.” The country artist delivered the anthemic track solo, seated on an upturned log as the camera circled around him, adding an intimate touch to the late-night set.
“Bottomland” is featured on Hardy’s latest album, Country! Country!, which was released in September. The track finds the Nashville musician looking back on his upbringing as he sings, “Lord just take me as I am/ Bury me in bottomland/ I am just a country boy/ Where I come from didn’t have no choice/ But what I’ve done well or so I’m told/ So baby wear my watch, baby sell my gold.”
Country! Country! serves as Hardy’s fourth studio project and includes 20 songs, among them the single “Favorite Country Song.” In a recent episode of Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast, Hardy opened up about the album, his decision to record a cover of the 1975’s “Love It If We Made It,” and how the 2022 bus accident that left him injured and dealing with PTSD shaped his new music.
Rolling Stone described the album as “surprising,” noting that beneath its surface, Country! Country! continues Hardy’s tradition of exploring deeper and darker themes. The publication pointed out that several tracks dive into thoughts of mortality and self-reflection, with at least eight songs addressing his own death or burial.
Hardy plans to bring Country! Country! to fans with a major tour next year. Announced in October, the Country! Country! Tour! will launch in February and continue through August 2026. The extensive run will include a strong rotation of supporting acts, such as chart favorite Tucker Wetmore, indie duo Muscadine Bloodline, and honky-tonk artist Jake Worthington. Cameron Whitcomb, Mitchell Tenpenny, and McCoy Moore will also join select dates on the tour.
