Here's A Side Of Laine Hardy You Did NOT See On Idol!
Today, May 20th, 2019 is VICTORIA DAY in Canada, which is the celebration of the birth of Queen Victoria. In South Louisiana, we're celebrating VICTORY Day; a celebration of Livingston music champion Laine Hardy. The Bayou Boy. The Comeback Kid. The Party With A Hardy. Laine is now officially THE American Idol. Last year, this quiet and shy French Settlement High School student sang his way up to the Top 24, but that's as far as he got. THIS year, Laine rocketed up to the Top 3 with a quiet confidence, and singing his Livingston Parish voice off. Along the way, he was rocking the suits, ripping the GHEE-tar, and wearing smmmokin' super-cool footwear. And don't forget the teeth. That handsome smile made the ladies MELT like Bluebell Ice Cream in July.
Now, let's get to the real secret to Laine Hardy’s success. At least from my perspective. I had a personal glimpse below the surface of this young star, and saw his heart. So did my special needs daughter Erika. Last year, Laine stopped by the station for a visit with me, and Erika happened to be there at the same time.
Erika has been in a wheelchair ever since her stroke 20 years ago. While Laine was at the radio station, I watched him go out of his way to pay some special attention to her. My wife and I were very moved. It was a side of Laine Hardy that we didn't see on TV; a snapshot of his character, tender heart and gentle spirit. And his humility. It was truly a special moment for us. One that called for a special moment for him. That happened last night on American Idol, as he was crowned the champion. Deservedly so. Long before he was met with 10,000 fans at the LP Fairgounds Tuesday, then showered with winner's confetti last night, Laine Hardy already had our votes. And Erika's. Trust me, that will go on for many years to come.
The Idol votes clearly showed last night that America was ready to Party With A Hardy. As for us here in South Louisiana, we totally get it. In fact, we actually got it a long time ago, when Laine walked in for his very first audition last year. Today, as American Idol champion, we can see our Livingston Parish star shine brighter than an F-250's fog lights on LA 63. You could see it in these moments below from last night. All were awesome, but the live performance that got me really pumped was his final one. Sam Cooke's Bring It On Home To Me. You see, Laine brought home an American Idol championship to the rest of us on the Bayou, and we couldn't be happier. Or prouder. Because THAT's our Bayou Boy!