Wilson also received two awards at this year’s ACM Honors: the Triple Crown Award, presented to those who have won ACM Entertainer of the Year, Female/Male Vocalist of the Year and New Female/Male Vocalist of the Year, and the Milestone Award, which is given to an artist who has had an unprecedented or outstanding year in country music.
Wilson has also been positively received by music publications.
NPR Music wrote Wilson is becoming “a major headlining country star, and this album feels like it’s cementing that position”.
Newsweek described her as the “next-generation icon”, while Rolling Stone said Wilson’s music has a “blend of brawn, heart, and willingness to upend the status quo that’s not only listenable, but also the kind of thing you can’t help but root for”.
The New York Times wrote she was a “romantic survivor with cowgirl cred, carried by a voice that can convey ache and mettle in equal measure”, with Spin saying Wilson is “the most exciting new artist in music, and transcends genres”.
About her album Whirlwind, American Songwriter said it “captures the pinnacle of the singer’s journey thus far still while holding onto the parts of her that make her feel human”.
Of the 14 tracks on the album, some that made the setlist at recent performances included title track Whirlwind, Good Horses, Devil Don’t Go There, Keep Up With Jones and Somewhere Over Laredo.
The latter has just become Wilson’s ninth #1 hit on country radio.
Poised to do even more great things, the track is nominated for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance at the upcoming Grammy Awards, which will be held on February 1.
Wilson’s songs have received tens of millions of views on YouTube and hundreds of millions of streams on the likes of Spotify, making her one of the most popular country artists of modern times.
Her songs Hold My Halo, Watermelon Moonshine, Hillbilly Hippie, I Would If I Could, Wildflowers, 4x4xU and popular show closer Heart Like a Truck are all instantly recognisable to fans and have been rapturously received at recent shows.
Make 2026 a country music year to remember by giving the gift of a Lainey Wilson concert ticket this Christmas.
The Details
What: Lainey Wilson Whirlwind Tour 2026
When: Friday, February 6 at Spark Arena (Auckland), Sunday, February 8 at Wolfbrook Arena (Christchurch)
Tickets: frontiertouring.com
Win: a double pass to Lainey Wilson’s Auckland or Christchurch show. (Stipulate your preference). To be in the draw, email your name, address, and daytime phone number(s) to hnfthcomps@gmail.com with Lainey Wilson Tickets (+ city of choice) in the subject, by midday, December 19
Competition by Fill The House Tickets Project — proudly supporting families living with cancer
