The 2023 CMA Awards are going to be huge for Lainey Wilson. She won two trophies this morning. Tonight, she’s up for seven more.
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Wilson is going into the CMA Awards as this year’s most-nominated artist. Originally, she was up for nine awards. This morning, her collaboration with HARDY, “wait in the truck,” won Musical Event and Music Video of the Year. In a few short hours, we’ll see if the Louisiana native will come away with a historic Entertainer of the Year win.
Earlier this week, Wilson spent some time with Dolly Parton ahead of the big night. During an interview with Audacy’s Sabrina from Queens, she revealed the wisdom Parton passed on to her as well as her feelings on her nominations.
The host mentioned that Taylor Swift was the last woman to win Entertainer of the Year at the CMA Awards. She took home the prestigious award in 2011. This would make Wilson winning the big prize a momentous event.
[RELATED: Lainey Wilson Reacts to Historic CMA Awards Nominations: ‘Absolutely Surreal]
“This is the second year I’ve ever even been nominated for a CMA. Two years ago, I was so pumped because I got to present an award with Deana Carter,” she said. “We’re moving very, very fast,” Wilson said of her career growth. However, she feels like things are moving at the right pace.
Then, Sabrina from Queens asked what wisdom Parton—a former CMA Entertainer of the Year—passed down to her. “You know what? She was just telling me, she’s like, ‘Base all of your decisions off of how passionate you are about what you’re doing,’” Wilson shared. “Passion is what drove her. It’s about having that discernment to know what to do, what not to do. … But, not doing anything that you wouldn’t be happy about years from now.” Parton also told Wison to stay true to herself and her story.
[RELATED: Lainey Wilson Talks Career Rise Ahead of CMA Awards: “From the Struggle to the Slingshot”]
Then, Wilson shared her thoughts on the current state of women in country music. “I tell all my guy friends that it’s important to hear the other side of the story, too,” she said. “I feel like we’re turning a corner and I think it’s going to be a great time for females in country music. Everybody from Kelsea [Ballerini] to Carly [Pearce] to Meg Moroney to Carrie [Underwood] to Ashley [McBryde]—it’s a lot of really talented women in this town,” Wilson added.
(Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images)
