Lainey Wilson

Lainey Denay Wilson was born on May 19, 1992, and raised in Baskin, Louisiana, a small rural town. Her upbringing instilled a strong work ethic; her father was a fifth-generation farmer, and her mother was a schoolteacher. Music was a fixture in her family life, with her father playing guitar and her grandparents taking her to bluegrass festivals. She wrote her first song at age nine and learned guitar at age eleven. During high school, Wilson gained early performing experience by working as a Hannah Montana impersonator for parties and events across the region, often booking her own shows. Upon graduating high school in 2011, she boldly moved to Nashville, Tennessee. For her first three years in Music City, Wilson lived frugally in a camper trailer parked outside a recording studio, struggling to gain traction. She persevered, honing her songwriting craft despite facing industry resistance that sometimes considered her unique style "too country." Her fortunes turned with her major-label debut, Sayin' What I'm Thinkin' (2021), which included the breakout hit "Things a Man Oughta Know." Her success accelerated with the release of the Grammy-winning album Bell Bottom Country (2022), which established her "bell bottom country" aesthetic. She further gained public recognition by joining the cast of the hit television series, Yellowstone. Wilson's subsequent album, Whirlwind, debuted high on the charts and earned a Grammy nomination, cementing her status as a leading voice in country music.

Lainey Wilson's career began with years of persistence in Nashville, culminating in a breakout as a major figure in country music. Her success is characterized by her signature "bell bottom country" sound, which blends traditional country with rock and soul elements. Her career launched into the mainstream with the release of her 2021 major-label debut, Sayin' What I'm Thinkin', which featured her first Platinum-certified number one hit, "Things a Man Oughta Know." This was quickly followed by the Grammy-winning album Bell Bottom Country (2022), which completed the "triple crown" of Album of the Year wins at the ACM, CMA, and Grammy Awards. Key hits from this period include "Heart Like a Truck" and "Watermelon Moonshine," along with major collaborations like "Save Me" (with Jelly Roll) and "wait in the truck" (with HARDY). She also gained significant exposure through an acting role on the hit television series, Yellowstone. Wilson's touring life rapidly evolved from opening act to headliner. Early in her career, she supported major artists like Jason Aldean and Morgan Wallen. By 2023, she launched her first headlining tours, including the Country with a Flair Tour and the Country’s Cool Again Tour. Her biggest venture is the global Whirlwind World Tour (2025), which has taken her to arenas and amphitheaters across North America, the UK, and Europe, including iconic venues like New York’s Madison Square Garden. Her concerts are celebrated for their raw power and energy, reflecting her position as the reigning CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year.