The country music world has seen many iconic songwriting duos come and go, but Morgan Wallen and HARDY are proving that they have some serious staying power.

On April 16, 2025, Wallen took to Instagram with a post confirming all of the collaborations fans could expect to see on his new album, “I’m The Problem.” HARDY was included on that long-awaited list.

However, this album is neither man’s first rodeo, and it’s far from the first time they have joined forces. Over the years, the pair have built a solid friendship through songwriting, collaborating on singles, and performing together.

HARDY Asked For an Introduction Because of “The Way I Talk”

GettyMorgan Wallen and Hardy pose for photos during CASH FEST In Celebration Of YouTube Originals Documentary THE GIFT: THE JOURNEY OF JOHNNY CASH at War Memorial Auditorium on November 10, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee.
In a video clip Katie & Company shared in 2023, HARDY explained how he first met Wallen. As HARDY said, he was a fan of Wallen’s 2018 hit, “The Way I Talk,” which was enjoying its radio heyday at the time. HARDY used what he calls “the publisher route” to get an introduction to the singer. “I called my publisher and said, ‘Hey, can you call….Sam [Jarvi] and see if I can write with this Morgan Wallen kid?’”

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In a matter of weeks, the two singers had a meeting on the books, and the rest is history. “He just showed up to my house and we wrote,” HARDY shared. By their second hangout, the pair had a good feeling about each other. “I think we really hit it off that day. We could tell we were going to be good friends.” Interestingly, HARDY revealed that Wallen never actually recorded the first song they wrote together.

Wallen and HARDY Have Collaborated on Multiple Songs Across Several Albums

GettyHARDY and Morgan Wallen perform onstage during the 57th Annual CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena on November 08, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee.
HARDY first made a name for himself writing songs for other artists, and he has lent his talents to many Wallen hits over the years. For example, the two singers teamed up to write Wallen’s popular song, “More Than My Hometown,” along with Ryan Vojtesak and frequent collaborator Ernest.

As Taste of Country reported, Wallen considers another song the duo co-wrote to be one of the most personal songs from his 2021 album, “Dangerous.” The song, “Livin’ The Dream,” was the brainchild of Wallen, HARDY, and two other songwriters, Ben Burgess and Jacob Durrett.

Wallen and HARDY have also lent their voices to songs on each other’s albums over the years. Among other songs, Wallen has two features on a song from HARDY’s 2019 mixtape, singing with his friend on “He Went To Jared” and “Turn You Down.” HARDY’s contributions include a feature on Wallen’s “In The Bible.”

The Singers Were Touring Partners for Five Years

GettyMorgan Wallen and HARDY perform at the T-Mobile Mane Stage during the 2024 Stagecoach Festival at Empire Polo Club on April 28, 2024 in Indio, California.
HARDY has made quite the leap from award-winning songwriter to singer in his own right, and he has Wallen to partially thank for his success in making that transition. In a 2024 interview, HARDY shared that Wallen brought him on tour as his opening act. Although they were only performing for crowds of “800 to 2,000” in the beginning, the exposure HARDY received helped his early career. The two went on to act as touring partners for another five years.

When their partnership drew to a close at the end of 2023, HARDY shared a heartfelt Instagram post reflecting on their journey. “I love you like a brother and these have been the most epic 5 years of my life,” HARDY wrote. “And I hate the word epic. But damn it’s true.”

Of course, the end of their initial touring days wasn’t the end of the pair performing together. For example, in a 2024 video clip, HARDY and Wallen treated a Neyland Stadium crowd to a duet of “Up Down.” HARDY co-wrote the song with Brad Clawson and CJ Solar, and Wallen made it a platinum hit.

Wallen and HARDY’s Friendship Extends Far Beyond Music

GettyMorgan Wallen and HARDY onstage during the 15th Annual Academy Of Country Music Honors at Ryman Auditorium on August 24, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Although their musical collaborations have contributed a lot to their respective careers, Wallen and HARDY have built a genuine friendship outside of work. In 2019, Wallen told Hook & Barrel that he felt his friendship with HARDY was meant to be. “He is one of my best friends in the business and also in the world,” Wallen said. “It seems like God has put us together.”

In his own Hook & Barrel interview, HARDY echoed Wallen’s sentiments and praised his character. “Morgan’s a good guy,” HARDY said. “He’s a hard worker and incredibly talented. We could have fun anywhere.” As fans patiently wait for their 2025 “I’m The Problem” collaboration to hit airwaves, it’s clear this dynamic duo has no plans of slowing down, whether in business or in friendship.