Laine Hardy is back in America, after making his inaugural trip overseas to entertain the U.S. service members. The Season 17 American Idol winner performed several of his hits, including “Ground I Grew Up On” and his current single, “Tiny Town,” at Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi in the Persian Gulf.

“My band and I greatly appreciate the sacrifice that each of the servicemembers make for our country,” Hardy said in a statement. “We are thankful for everything we were able to honorably experience while here. This will be a moment in my life I will never forget.”

Patriotism runs in Hardy’s blood. The grandson of an Army veteran, Hardy joined veteran Craig Morgan in performing, virtually, for the New York City Veterans Day Commemoration.

“I’m very supportive of the United States,” Hardy told Everything Nash. “My mom’s grandpa, he was in the Army too, but I never got to meet him. But I love doing events like these and showing the cause for the veterans and people who serve now.”

Hardy is grateful for the platform that Idol gave him, even if it means that people are no interested in every aspect of his life, including his personal life.

“I’m still processing everything,” Hardy admitted. “It’s pretty crazy. It’s really cool at the same time. I get to share my life with other people too, share all the cool things I get to do and all my experiences and stuff, but I also do have a social life. I don’t mind sharing my personal life with my fans either, because they’re the ones that got me here.”

Hardy is also working on a new album, which will reflect on his life so far, including his Southern upbringing.

“I would say it will be a lot of music like the influence that I grew up on,” hinted the Louisiana native.  “All the music I grew up listening to is going to be reflected onto my album. And it’s really, really, really cool. I’m excited to see where it goes.”

Keep track of updates at LaineHardyMusic.com.

Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Miranda A. Loera