Lainey Wilson’s Whirlwind Continues: ACM Nominations, Sold-Out Tours, and a Reigning Country Star
By Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine
Lainey Wilson, the reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year, is experiencing a whirlwind of success that shows no signs of slowing down. With seven nominations at the upcoming 60th Annual ACM Awards, a string of chart-topping hits, and a nearly sold-out world tour, Wilson is cementing her status as one of country music’s most dynamic and influential artists.
The ACM nominations, which include nods for Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (for “Whirlwind”), Song of the Year (“4x4xU”), Visual Media of the Year (“4x4xU”), and Artist-Songwriter of the Year, underscore Wilson’s remarkable talent and impact on the genre. The awards ceremony, set to stream live on Prime Video from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, on Thursday, May 8, promises to be a celebration of her extraordinary year.
Wilson’s recent chart success with “4x4xU,” her eighth #1 hit at country radio, further solidifies her dominance. The song’s popularity has fueled the excitement surrounding her Whirlwind World Tour, which has seen overwhelming demand across the globe.
A Global Whirlwind: Sold-Out Shows and Unforgettable Performances
The Whirlwind World Tour has been a testament to Wilson’s growing international fanbase. Following a completely sold-out run across the U.K. and Europe earlier this month, she is now embarking on the North American leg, which includes highly anticipated stops at iconic venues such as New York’s Madison Square Garden, Los Angeles’ Kia Forum, Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, Austin’s Moody Center, Baton Rouge’s Raising Cane’s River Center Arena and Denver’s Ball Arena.
The tour, which celebrates her critically acclaimed album “Whirlwind,” has been met with rave reviews, with fans and critics alike praising Wilson’s electrifying live performances and her ability to connect with audiences on a deeply personal level. The album, produced by Grammy Award-winning Jay Joyce, debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking her first top 10 entry on the all-genre chart and her best sales week ever.
A Year of Accolades and Milestones
Wilson’s success extends beyond the charts and tour dates. In the past year, she has achieved a series of remarkable milestones, including induction into the Grand Ole Opry, a performance during the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Halftime Show, and wins at the Grammy Awards, ACM Awards, and CMA Awards. Her hosting debut at the CMA Awards alongside Peyton Manning and Luke Bryan was also a highlight, showcasing her versatility and charm.
At this year’s ACM Honors, Wilson received the prestigious Triple Crown Award, recognizing her wins in the Entertainer of the Year, Female/Male Vocalist of the Year, and New Female/Male Vocalist of the Year categories. She also received the Milestone Award, which celebrates an artist’s unprecedented or outstanding year in country music.
A Triple Threat: Singer, Songwriter, and Actress
Wilson’s talent extends beyond her musical prowess. As a prolific and sought-after songwriter, she has penned numerous hits, including “4x4xU,” “Watermelon Moonshine,” and the 2x PLATINUM Certified “Heart Like A Truck.” She has also collaborated with a diverse range of artists, including Post Malone, Cole Swindell, Jelly Roll, HARDY, and Myles Smith, demonstrating her ability to transcend genre boundaries.
Furthermore, Wilson has made a successful foray into acting, making her debut in season 5 of Paramount’s hit series “Yellowstone” and recently returning for its final episode. She also wrote and recorded “Out of Oklahoma,” which is featured in the new “Twisters” movie, further showcasing her multi-faceted talent.
Whirlwind World Tour Dates:
Lainey Wilson’s Whirlwind World Tour continues to captivate audiences across North America. Here are the confirmed tour dates:
- May 30—Panama City Beach, FL—Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam
- May 31—Lexington, KY—Railbird Festival
- June 6—Myrtle Beach, SC—Carolina Country Music Fest
- June 20—Wildwood, NJ—Barefoot Country Music Fest
- June 26—Milwaukee, WI—Summerfest
- June 27—Cadott, WI—Country Fest
- July 10—Ottawa, ON—Ottawa Bluesfest
- July 12—Cavendish, PEI—Cavendish Beach Music Festival
- August 14—Phoenix, AZ—Footprint Center*
- August 15—Albuquerque, NM—Isleta Amphitheater*
- August 16—Denver, CO—Ball Arena*
- August 21—Bend, OR—Hayden Homes Amphitheater*
- August 22—Sacramento, CA—Golden 1 Center*
- August 23—Los Angeles, CA—Kia Forum*
- August 28—Calgary, AB—Scotiabank Saddledome*
- August 29—Edmonton, AB—Rogers Place*
- August 30—Saskatoon, SK—SaskTel Centre*
- September 11—Baton Rouge, LA—Raising Cane’s River Center†
- September 12—Baton Rouge, LA—Raising Cane’s River Center†
- September 13—Bossier City, LA—Brookshire Grocery Arena†
- September 18—Austin, TX—Moody Center‡
- September 19—Fort Worth, TX—Dickies Arena‡
- September 20—Houston, TX—The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman ‡
- September 25—Toronto, ON—Budweiser Stage§
- September 26—Clarkston, MI—Pine Knob Music Theatre§
- September 27—Grand Rapids, MI—Van Andel Arena§
- October 2—Nashville, TN—Bridgestone Arena||
- October 3—Noblesville, IN—Ruoff Music Center§
- October 4—Cleveland, OH—Blossom Music Center§
- October 9—Columbia, MD—Merriweather Post Pavilion§
- October 10—New York, NY—Madison Square Garden§
- October 11—Mansfield, MA—Xfinity Center§
- October 16—St. Louis, MO—Hollywood Casio Amphitheatre||
- October 17—Rosemont, IL—Allstate Arena||
- October 18—Saint Paul, MN—Xcel Energy Center||
- October 24—Knoxville, TN—Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center#
- October 25—Charlotte, NC—Spectrum Center#
- November 7—Tampa, FL—Amalie Arena#
- November 8—Orlando, FL—Kia Center#
*with special guests ERNEST and Kaitlin Butts †with special guests ERNEST and Maddox Batson ‡with special guests Muscadine Bloodline and Drake Milligan §with special guests Muscadine Bloodline and Lauren Watkins ||with special guests Muscadine Bloodline and Maddox Batson #with special guests ERNEST and Drake Milligan
Lainey Wilson’s journey is a testament to her talent, hard work, and unwavering dedication to her craft. As she continues to break records and captivate audiences worldwide, it is clear that her whirlwind of success is only just beginning.
Photo credit: Eric Ryan Anderson