Lainey Wilson was everywhere at CMA Fest. See our top 5 moments from the country star
From the stage to the fashion, Lainey Wilson was everywhere at CMA Fest 2023.
Bell-bottoms and wide-brimmed hats — both portions of Wilson's signature look — were a staple for fans during the four-day fest.
Aside from opening the festivities to a jam-packed Riverfront Stage on Thursday morning and co-hosting the upcoming television special alongside Dierks Bentley and Elle King, Wilson joined several stages as a special guest throughout the weekend.
Here are five moments we loved from Lainey Wilson ruling CMA Fest this year.
Lainey Wilson kicks off four-day fest at Riverfront Stage
It's no wonder she opened up the festivities after a performance from Grammy award-winning TSU Aristocrat of Bands — Wilson is on fire. She's the Country Music Association Female Artist of the Year. She was recently crowned the Academy of Country Music Female Vocalist of the Year, and she was one of the most-nominated and most-awarded artists over the course of the 2022 CMA Awards and 2023 CMT Music Awards.
"People hadn't even started drinking their beer yet," Wilson told The Tennessean after the Thursday morning performance. "They were working on the coffee out in the crowd. It was a party."
Wilson stepped out for the Thursday morning set wearing vividly-patterned orange bell-bottoms and a white tank top. She wore a light tan wide-brimmed hat.
'They have paved the way': Wilson shares gratitude for strong country women
Wilson knows her way around. She's been coming to CMA Fest since she was just 14 years old. She still can't believe country music icons like Tanya Tucker know she exists.
"They have paved the way," Wilson said of the support she's received from Tucker, Shania Twain and Wynonna Judd. They are strong country women. They tell it like it is. That's what I want to be."
Wilson was joined by Tucker and Elle King Friday night after Tucker's surprise appearance at Nissan Stadium. The trio sang a version of Tucker's 1978 hit "Texas ('Til I Die)."
Lauren Alaina, Lainey Wilson give fans sneak peek to new single
Lainey Wilson hopped on stage with Lauren Alaina to sing a newly released duet for fans at the Riverfront Stage Thursday (day one of CMA Fest).
The pair teased the single on Instagram along with posts about Alaina's new EP "Unlocked," released 11 p.m. Friday.
Wilson joins fans at emerging artist show
Lainey Wilson's growth has skyrocketed from a hopeful artist to a country music superstar, and now she has a devoted fan club to boot. She met with fans during the Tractor Supply Co. emerging artist show on Friday, taking selfies and giving hugs.
She played a brief acoustic set with her bandmates starting with her "Bell Bottom Country" album single "Hillbilly Hippie."
Wilson shines during headlining set
For her first-ever headlining show at Nissan Stadium during CMA Fest, Wilson shined in more than one way. She was clad in eye-catching silver and rhinestones, but more importantly, she brought the energy.
"This is my fifteenth year [at CMA Fest]", she said. "I've been coming every year since I was 14 years old, and I was sitting way up there, dreaming about being right here. I got news for you: don't let anybody tell you no, don't let anybody tell you that you can't do it. If they do, that should make you want it even more."
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Lainey Wilson shines all over CMA Fest in Nashville. See 5 reasons why
