HARDY has become one of country music’s biggest breakout stories of the last few years. Not only has he penned some of the genre’s most-successful singles, including Blake Shelton’s  “God’s Country” and “Hell Right,” Florida Georgia Line’s “Simple” and “Talk You Out of It” and Morgan Wallen’s “Up Down,” but he’s also found success on his own as an artist.

The 29-year-old (whose real name is Michael Hardy) is getting ready to release his freshman album, A Rock, next month, which includes his current single, “One Beer,” featuring both Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson. We recently caught up with HARDY via Zoom, and asked him 11 of our burning questions. Read his sometimes surprising answers:

1. What is your favorite Nashville Bar?

Red Door.

2. Where is the weirdest place you were recognized?

My girlfriend, Caleigh, and I went on vacation. We went to a restaurant in Clearwater, Florida, and the restaurant was packed. Randomly, like 10 people came up to me while we were at the restaurant. I guess it’s a vacation place where there’s people all over. And every one of them was like, “I saw you in Nebraska!” “I saw you in Cincinnati!” It was just really random.

3. When were you the most starstruck?

I saw Loretta Lynn at an awards show. I didn’t meet her, but I think that was the most that I had ever been like, “Oh my God, that’s Loretta. That’s insane.” For some reason that one just caught me off guard.

4. What one food always makes you feel better?

Seafood.

5. Beer or bourbon?

Beer.

6. Where is your favorite vacation spot?

The Gulf Coast. Wherever there is water, somewhere on the Gulf Coast.

7. If you weren’t a singer, what would you be?

My first dream job was, I wanted to move to down to Louisiana and try to be a fishing guide. I halfway jokingly say that I would be completely happy with having a landscaping business, just cutting grass, making yards look good. I love that.

8. What one item do you always pack in your suitcase?

Deodorant.

9. What is one personality trait you can’t stand in others?

People that talk too much. They interrupt you and talk too much, mostly about themselves. If you talk too much about yourself, it makes me care less about it.

10. Describe your perfect day.

My perfect day I think would be probably a day with either Caleigh, or some of my family, probably fishing. I think that or playing golf, and it being really pretty weather and just playing really, really good. Those two things.

11. What is one thing people might be surprised to know about you?

I’m a pretty good golfer. I think that’s very surprising to people,  considering I’m kind of a country boy, but I’ve played golf since I was 12 years old. And I think especially around Nashville, I can hang with the best of them.