Oliver Hardy in north Georgia in the 1905 fall semester when he was 13. He had little interest in formal education, although he acquired an early interest in music and theater. He joined a theatrical group and later ran away from a boarding school near Atlanta to sing with the group. His mother recognized his talent for singing and sent him to Atlanta to study music and voice with singing teacher Adolf Dahm-Petersen. He skipped some of his lessons to sing in the Alcazar Theater for $3.50 a week. Hardy began styling himself "Oliver Norvell Hardy", adding the first name "Oliver" as
Nathaniel S. Hardy Jr. late 2008, Nathaniel started using the name The Nathaniel Hardy Project. Nathaniel S. Hardy Jr. Nathaniel Sidney Hardy Jr. (born April 19, 1964) is an American musician, composer, and keyboardist. Hardy is known for his contributions as a keyboardist for Chic, and his work with acts such as Run-DMC, Madonna and Crystal Waters. Hardy was born on April 19, 1964 in Baltimore, Maryland. He attented Cherry Hill Junior High School, and started out as a member of the school's marching band (P.S. #180) while growing up in the "Projects" of Cherry Hill. He joined the band in the seventh grade