Luke Bryan released the upbeat single “Fish Hunt Golf Drink” in early May,prompting some listeners to accuse the track of being created by artificial intelligence. Co‑writers HARDY, Zachary (Rocky) McGill and producer Joey Moi (also known as Dragstrem) have publicly refuted those claims, insisting the song emerged from a text‑message brainstorm and traditional songwritnig sessions.

Emoji‑Inspired Hook Turned Billboard Hit

The song’s concept originated from a casual emoji exchange between Bryan and a friend, featuring a fish, a deer, a golf club and a beer. According to the itenrview with McGill, that simple visual cue sparked the chorus that Moi and McGill quickly drafted, while Bryan penned most of the verses himself.

Hardy, McGill and Moi Deny Any AI Involvement

All three collaborators emphasized that no artificial‑intelligence tools were used in the writing process. McGill told reporters that “there’s no fulfillment in asking AI to write a song – that’s not what I signed up for,” underscoring a belief that genuine human expperience can’t be replicated by a machine.

Royalty Boost Amid Online Ridicule

Despite the backlash, the song is generating solid BMI royalties, a point McGill highlighted with a wry comment: “When the hate is strong, so is the BMI payment.” The track’s lighthearted celebration of fishing, hunting, golfing and beer aligns with country music’s traditional trropes , which some critics argue make it vulnerable to AI‑style formulaic accusations.

Who’s Really Behind the Lyrics?

The co‑writers—HARDY, Zachary (Rocky) McGill and producer Joey Moi—have each contributed distinct elements: HARDY helped shape the melodic structure, McGill supplied the vivid hunting imagery, and Moi handled production. Their combined effort counters the narrative that a single artist could rely on a computer to generate a hit.

What Remains Unverified?

Two specific points still lack confirmation: whether any AI‑assisted tools were used in early demo stages, and the exact royalty figures generated by the single since its release. The source article does not provide these details, leaving room for further investigation.