Lainey Wilson Pens Message to Country Music Community After Big Night at ACM Awards

Lainey Wilson blew away the competition during Thursday’s (May 8) ACM Awards, first with a sweeping performance of her song “Whirlwind” and then again on the awards circuit. Holding on to her Entertainer of the Year title, the Louisiana native also took home trophies for Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (for last year’s Whirlwind) and Artist-Songwriter of the Year. Taking some time to soak in the moment, Wilson celebrated her triumphs while reflecting on what it took to get here.

Lainey Wilson Is Doing “The Only Thing I Know How to Do”

Taking to Instagram Friday (May 9), Lainey Wilson shared a photo of herself cradling the four additions to her trophy case following the previous night’s 60th ACM Awards ceremony. In the caption, she left a heartfelt message of thanks for her fans.

“All I’ve ever wanted to do is sing and write music. Y’all have given me a stage for my songs to be heard and I will never be able to tell you how thankful I truly am for just giving me a shot,” Wilson wrote. “Here’s to 14 years in Nashville doing the only thing I know how to do. Love y’all to the moon.”

Fortunately, she’s pretty good at that “only thing.” In 2011, Wilson left behind her tiny Louisiana hometown and headed for the big-city lights of Nashville. Initially living in a camper trailer outside a recording studio, the “Country’s Cool Again” singer has spoken candidly about the struggles she faced during her early years in Music City.

Finally breaking out with 2020’s “Things A Man Oughta Know,” Wilson’s hard work hasn’t stopped paying off yet. The most recent Entertainer of the Year win is actually her third since 2023, when she first took home the top honor at the CMAs.

“It was a little bit shocking,” she told Rolling Stone UK in March. “But when they put that crown on your head, you ain’t gonna give it back.”

Jelly Roll Makes Special Post For His “Homie For Life”

Lainey Wilson beat out “Save Me” collaborator Jelly Roll in both the Entertainer of the Year and Album of the Year races. However, no sour grapes from the “Need a Favor” singer—quite the opposite, in fact. Taking to X/Twitter, Jelly penned a heartfelt congratulatory post to his “homie for life.”

“She works hard and earned this – POINT BLANK AND PERIOD!” he wrote. “Lainey is going down as one of the greatest of this era.”