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Lainey Wilson said it’s “crazy” that she’s the first female artist to host the Country Music Association Awards solo since Reba McEntire did it in the early 1990s.
Wilson recently caught up with Senior Music Editor Joseph Hudak on a new episode of Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast, which made its debut on Wednesday (October 8). The conversation arrives shortly after the Country Music Association announced Wilson will host the 59th CMA Awards next month, marking her second consecutive year. Hudak noted that the Whirlwind hitmaker is the first woman to host Country Music’s Biggest Night solo since McEntire’s run in 1991.
“I looked it up, too, and that’s what I found,” Wilson said of the 34-year gap. “And I was like, there’s no way. That’s crazy to think about. It’s been a long time since a woman has done it. I’m glad they trust me. I like to run my mouth, and I love country music, so I guess we’re just — it’s gonna be fun. I really do think that.
“Reba is just like, she believes in me, 190%,” Wilson added when asked about McEntire’s reaction.
The “4x4xU” superstar’s solo hosting gig arrives one year after she joined Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning to host the 58th annual show in 2024. Hudak asked whether Wilson knew how the Country Music Association “broke the news” to Bryan and Manning that they wouldn’t join Wilson again this year.
“I have no clue,” she replied. “But I guess Luke ain’t mad at me because I’ve talked to him since. Honestly, he was probably, like, happy to have a year off. And Peyton, too, because they’ve been doing it for quite a while now. I don’t know how they broke the news to them, but those guys are just so, just such genuine people that I think they’re happy for me.”
Wilson — who also said she wants to crack jokes about fellow artists, including Luke Combs — is also one of the top nominees at the upcoming show. Others include Megan Moroney, Ella Langley, Zach Top, Riley Green, Cody Johnson and more. Find the full list of CMA Award nominees here.
The Country Music Association announced this spring that the 59th CMA Awards will air live on ABC at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on November 19. The show will be available to stream the following day on Hulu.