If not for Blake Shelton, country music fans might not know Hardy as a country music singer. Shelton reveals it was his debut single, “Austin,” out in 2001 that made Hardy want to be a singer in the first place.
“Post Malone’s mom still jokes that she named him after my debut single ‘Austin,'” Shelton tells The Tennessean. “Hardy tells how watching me sing ‘Ol’ Red’ at CMA Fest at Nissan Stadium from the nosebleed seats made him want to be an artist.”

It’s ironic that it’s Shelton that made Hardy want to be a singer. It’s Hardy who is the songwriter behind some of Shelton’s biggest hits. Among the songs that Hardy has written for Shelton are “God’s Country,” “Come Back As A Country Boy,” and his “Hell Right” collaboration with Trace Adkins. Hardy is also a co-writer on “Let Him In Anyway.” The song is from Shelton’s new For Recreational Use Only, out on May 9.
“‘Let Him In Anyway’ is one of the more powerful lyrics and just overall pieces of music that I’ve ever gotten a chance to work on,” Shelton says. “I heard the song; Hardy is actually a co-writer on the song. He’s a friend of mine, and I just never heard a song quite like it. I don’t think this song’s ever been written before, anything like it. Whenever I heard it, and got a chance to record it, I was honored. I’m really proud of the record that we made on it.”

Blake Shelton’s ‘For Recreational Use Only’

For Recreational Use Only is Sheltons’ first album on BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville, after spending almost his entire career until now on Warner Music Nashville. Although he has a new record label home, Shelton still teams up with producer Scott Hendricks.

“It’s been a long time since we had a new album out, and I want to thank the songwriters and musicians who helped bring this record to life,” Shelton says. “Scott and I have been working on this music for years, and I’m beyond excited to finally share it with the fans.”

For Recreational Use Only includes “Texas,” Shelton’s debut song from the record. The song is currently in the Top 5.

“It kind of walks a line that’s a little bit of a ‘Stranger In My House’ or something like that,” Shelton tells American Songwriter. “It’s kind of got this haunting thing about it. But you can also jam out and rock out to it at the same time … I knew I loved the song, but I don’t r