The season 17 winner, who only made it to the Top 50 one season prior, is set to release the acoustic versions of 'Ground I Grew Up On' and 'Let There Be Country' on June 26.
- Jun 23, 2020
AceShowbiz - Laine Hardy has joined a list of country singers being diagnosed with the novel coronavirus. While many celebrated Father's Day on Sunday, June 21, the season 17 champion of "American Idol" announced he tested positive for COVID-19, but assured his fans that he is on the road to recovery at home.
The 19-year-old made public about his condition through a post he shared on both his Facebook page and Instagram Story. "This wasn't what I expected on the first day of summer," he declared. "My doctor confirmed I have Coronavirus, but my symptoms are mild and I'm home recovering in quarantine. Y'all stay safe & healthy!"
The Louisiana singer was one of those in the country music community recovering from the virus. Sturgill Simpson, Laura Bell Bundy, Ray Benson, Kalie Shorr and Runaway June member Jennifer Wayne had also overcome it. Joe Diffie and John Prine, however, succumbed to the complications caused by the virus.
Hardy first auditioned for the reality singing competition on season 16. At the time, he only managed to get into the Top 50. When accompanying a friend on her audition the next season, he was persuaded by judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie to give it another shot. He went on to beat Alejandro Aranda and Madison VanDenburg.
Since then, Hardy has released two singles, "Ground I Grew Up On" and "Let There Be Country". He is set to release acoustic versions of the songs on Friday, June 26. In an Instagram announcement, he shared, "Y'all have shown these two songs a ton of support and it means so much to me. So to say thanks I'm releasing the acoustic versions of both songs next Friday (6/26) and bringing back the #vTour to celebrate with shows on 6/25 and 7/9."
About the two songs, Hardy previously told PEOPLE, "The minute I heard 'Ground I Grew Up On' and 'Let There Be Country' I knew I wanted to record both songs." He elaborated, "The lyrics remind me a lot of what it's like growing up in Louisiana. Me and my cousin Trent, who's now my drummer, would run around barefoot all the time, ride our ATVs and go fishing on Lake Maurepas. My favorite place to be is on the bayou. I hope when people hear these songs it reminds them of their childhood too."
