Lainey Wilson currently finds herself at the top of country music, already winning the Entertainer of the Year award in 2023. She followed that with sixteen awards from the Academy of Country Music. If that wasn’t enough, she even won a Grammy Award. Showcasing her talents with hit albums like Bell Bottom Country and Whirlwind, the singer hoped to continue her growing career at the 2025 CMA Awards. But recently, she took a moment to discuss the years nobody knew her name and how any person with a dream could achieve their goal by always pushing forward.
Invited to the 2025 Time100 Next Event, Wilson walked among numerous actors, innovators, and even leaders at The Current at Chelsea Piers in New York City. When getting a moment to discuss her career, the country star didn’t highlight her accolades – instead, she focused on the struggles of becoming a country artist.
Videos by American Songwriter
Wanting to offer some advice to those still dreaming of breaking into the business, Wilson insisted, “What I’ve learned is, you can’t rush the growing season. You just have to keep showing up, you have to keep nurturing your gift, keep believing that’s what is meant for you, is going to find you when it’s the right time. Stay planted, water your roots.”
Lainey Wilson Is Living Proof Of The Power Of Dreams
With Wilson starting her country music dream as a teenager, she knew the dreadful thoughts that often filled the minds of many artists. Not wanting them to believe the negativity, the hitmaker believed there was a time and place for everything. “Keep searching for the light, because when your season comes, people will taste the fruit of your faith, and the world will be a better place because of it.”
As for her own moment, Wilson will get the chance to expand her career at the CMA Awards, airing live on November 19th at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. Nominated for the Entertainer of the Year Award, she also received nominations for Album of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year, Song of the Year, and even Music Video of the Year.
Ready to prove that every dream, no matter how big, is achievable, Wilson now stands as living proof that patience, belief, and heart can change the course of a life.
(Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage)
Most Viewed
-
The Beatles on the set of 'Top Of the Pops', plugging their new single 'Paperback Writer'/ 'Rain', 16 June 1966. The group had previously appeared on the show but this was their only appeararance live in the studio. Left to right: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon. (Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images) -
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – Guitarist Matt Pike of American heavy metal group Sleep performing live on stage at The Roundhouse in London on April 30, 2017. (Photo by Kevin Nixon/Metal Hammer Magazine/Future via Getty Images) -
HOLLYWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 02: Dolly Parton and Stella Parton attend the premiere of "Dolly Parton's Coat Of Many Colors" at the Egyptian Theatre on December 2, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic) -
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – SEPTEMBER 04: Steve Miller and The Steve Miller Band perform during the San Francisco Fest 2016 – On The Green at AT&T Park on September 4, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by C Flanigan/FilmMagic) -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – Tyler Farr performs on FOX News Channel's "Fox & Friends" All-American Summer Concert Series outside Fox News Channel Studios at Fox News Studios on June 23, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dominik Bindl/Getty Images) -
Kris Kristofferson, honoree during 37th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Ceremony – Show and Dinner at Marriott Marquis in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by L. Busacca/WireImage for Songwriter's Hall of Fame) -
BROOKLYN, NEW YORK – MAY 05: Keith Richards speaks onstage during the exclusive launch event of The Rolling Stones new album “Foreign Tongues” at Weylin on May 5, 2026 in Brooklyn, NY. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for UMG) -
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JUNE 02: Ella Langley performs during Stars for Second Harvest with ERNEST & Friends at the Ryman Auditorium on June 02, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)