Lainey Wilson is one of the most unique new voices in country music today. With her eclectic style that blends traditional country vibes and contemporary pop flair, Wilson represents an exciting new direction for the genre. After years striving to make it in Nashville, her perseverance is finally paying off with hit singles, critical acclaim, and major award nominations. Wilson’s throwback fashion sense and ability to mix old-school storytelling with modern melodies have set her apart from the pack. At just 29 years old, her career is rapidly on the rise.
| Name | Lainey Wilson |
| Full Name | Lainey Denay Wilson |
| Date Of Birth | May 19, 1992 |
| Birthplace/Hometown | Baskin, Louisiana, U.S.A/Baskin, Louisiana |
| Age | 31 years old (As 2023) |
| Birth Sign | Taurus |
| Gender | Female |
| School | Local High School |
| College/University | Blinn College |
| Education Qualification | Graduated |
| Hobbies | Listening Music, Playing Football, Travelling and horseback Riding |
| Food Habit | Non-Vegetarian |
| Favourite Food | Almonds, beef jerky, and Crawfish |
| Religion | Christian |
| Ethnicity | American and European cultures |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Singer-songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals guitar |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Debut | Her debut major label single was also released in 2019 called “Dirty Looks” |
| Genre | Country |
| Awards, Achievements | New Female Artist (2022)iHeartRadio Music Award for Best New Country Artist (2022)Country Music Association Award for New Artist of the Year (2022)Academy of Country Music Award for Female Artist of the Year (2023)CMT Music Award for Female Video of the Year (2023)Academy of Country Music Award for Music Event of the Year (2023) |
| Top 5 Songs | Waste of Good Whiskey (2018)Dirty Looks (2021)Watermelon Moonshine (2022)Smell Like Smoke (2022)More Than Friends (2023) |
Lainey Wilson’s family, relationships, and early life:
Lainey Wilson grew up in the tiny rural town of Baskin, Louisiana, population 250. Her father Brian worked the family’s farm while mother Michelle taught at the local school. Wilson’s only sibling is her sister Janna. Surrounded by wide open countryside, Wilson grew up loving the outdoors. But music was her real passion, nurtured by her family’s classic country album collection. Artists like Buck Owens and Glen Campbell were staples in the Wilson home, instilling in young Lainey a deep appreciation for old-school country sounds. Wilson also gained a passion for performing from her mother, who sang and encouraged her daughter’s musical talents. From a young age, family and country classics shaped Wilson’s musical identity.
Lainey Wilson father and mother
Lainey Wilson with her Sister
Lainey Wilson with her Boyfriend (Devlin ‘Duck’ Hodges)
Small Town Beginnings Shape a Promising Country Singer
Born Lainey Denay Wilson on November 18, 1993 in rural Baskin, Louisiana, Wilson grew up immersed in country and gospel music. Her father frequently played guitar and her mother sang, instilling a love of performing in Wilson from a young age. She began writing her own songs and singing at local church events as a teenager. After high school, an 18-year-old Wilson made the bold move to pack up and chase her dreams of country stardom by moving to Nashville.
The path to success in Nashville wouldn’t be easy. Wilson spent years playing gigs at iconic Nashville bars like Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, honky tonks, and songwriter rounds. She started out earning just $100 a night performing classic and original country songs during 3-4 hour sets. The rowdy crowds and late nights could be draining. “I played until my fingers bled and until I couldn’t talk,” Wilson shared.
But she persevered and kept perfecting her songwriting craft. Drawing from her small town Louisiana roots, Wilson developed a unique style blending old-fashioned country storytelling with pop-inspired melodies and contemporary lyrics. This retro yet current blend set her apart from other aspiring country artists. She slowly built a following performing her original songs around Nashville.
The Making of a Country Icon: Lainey Wilson’s Style
Lainey Wilson knew she needed more than just good songs to make it; she needed a signature look. At just 5’4”, Wilson has created an outsized presence for herself in country music through her bold retro fashion sense. She’s almost always spotted wearing her trend-setting outfit: high-waisted faded bellbottom jeans paired with a bell sleeve blouse.
Wilson completes her 1970s-inspired style with voluminous platinum blonde hair, chunky jewelry, and cowboy boots. This throwback outfit, combined with her heavy Southern accent and sweet charm, gives Wilson a unique persona. Her look brilliantly marries contemporary and old-school vibes.
Wilson shares that she’s always gravitated towards retro fashion. “I just love the 70s look. Those styles make me feel fierce while still being down-home,” she says. As a curvy woman, she also wanted to highlight natural beauty in a genre fixated on pin-thin figures. “I want to help women see that country music ain’t just for skinny chicks,” Wilson asserts. “Be bold and be you.”
Wilson’s blend of current and past in both her music and style brilliantly sets her apart, appealing to both traditional and modern country fans. She represents the evolving future of country music through her fun retro reinvention.
Striving for Success: Lainey Wilson’s Early Years in Nashville
Wilson spent seven long years striving to make it big in Nashville after moving there at 18. She recalls those early struggling days and nights performing in bars along the iconic Broadway strip. Wilson would play 3-4 hour sets ranging from 9 pm to 2 am, determined to get her songs heard. “I was playing for tips to make my rent, not always knowing if I could pay my electric bill,” she shares.
Those rowdy bar shows could get exhausting. “I’d be hoarse from hollering over drunk folks and just worn out. My fingers would be bloody from playing all night,” Wilson remembers. The grueling schedule required phenomenal perseverance. But she always kept her mind focused on the future: “I had a dream of people singing along to my songs on the radio. That vision kept me going.”
Wilson knew networking was crucial too. She went to industry events and tirelessly introduced herself to anyone who could help launch her career. “I probably met 200 people a week trying to get my name out there,” Wilson says. “I was like a dog with a bone. I just wouldn’t give up.”
All those open mic nights, late night gigs and endless hours honing her songwriting gradually paid off. Wilson built a buzz on the Nashville scene and signed a record deal with BBR Music Group in 2016. After seven long years, her big break was finally on the horizon. But she would need the perfect song to kickstart her career…
The Breakthrough Hit: “Things a Man Oughta Know” Launches Stardom
After signing with BBR Music Group, Wilson kept writing songs and playing shows until she penned the career-changing track “Things a Man Oughta Know” in 2018. As soon as she wrote it, Wilson knew the deeply personal song felt special. “It just poured out of me. I knew I had something with it,” she says.
“Things a Man Oughta Know” features Wilson’s signature storytelling style, chronicling all the ways men can treat women right and wrong. Lyrics like “Plead the fifth when your boys talk trash / Hold her hand in front of y’all’s friends” resonated with legions of fans. Wilson’s label recognized the song’s potential and released it as her first official single.
The track exceeded everyone’s expectations, shooting all the way to #29 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in 2019. For an independent artist lacking major name recognition, this was a monumental achievement. “Things a Man Oughta Know” instantly launched Wilson from obscure songbird to rising star.
Wilson was blown away by the reception. “When I heard it on the radio for the first time, I just bawled. All those years of hard work had paid off,” she recalls. The emotional song also clearly resonated with listeners. “So many women came up to me gushing about how it really spoke to them,” says Wilson. “That meant everything.”
Recognition Rises with Awards Buzz and Critical Acclaim
The success of “Things a Man Oughta Know” was just the beginning for Lainey Wilson. Her 2021 album Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’ spawned several more smash hits that catapulted her fame. Songs like “LA”, “Neon Diamonds”, and “WWDD” showcased her raw songwriting talent and blend of vintage and modern country styles.
Wilson also demonstrated her acting chops with a guest role performing on the Kevin Costner smash series Yellowstone. Her profile skyrocketed with the exposure from the popular show.
As Wilson’s popularity grew, so did award show recognition. Her 2022 critically acclaimed album scored her six nominations from the Academy of Country Music Awards. Wilson was even nominated for the night’s top prize, Female Artist of the Year, pitting her against superstars like Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris and Carly Pearce. Few artists have seen their career take off quite so rapidly.
At the 2022 Country Music Association Awards, Wilson also earned nominations for Female Vocalist of the Year, New Artist of the Year and Song of the Year. She proved she could hold her own among country legends like Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton.
Clearly Wilson’s unique style has captivated both fans and critics alike. She’s demonstrated that her retro yet current brand of country has mass appeal. Major industry awards could soon be headed her way.
Balancing Stardom and Privacy: Lainey Wilson’s Home Life
While her epic rise to fame keeps her in the spotlight, Wilson works hard to protect her personal life off stage. She married her husband Ryan Dokke back in 2017, when she was still an obscure Nashville singer. The relationship remains out of the public eye. “He’s a simple Louisiana boy and very private. I want to protect that,” shares Wilson.
She maintains boundaries now as a star, stating:
“I feel like there’s so little we get to keep to ourselves these days. My relationship – that’s sacred to me.”
Wilson also lost her father in 2020 shortly before her career took off. She used songwriting to cope with the difficulty of grieving privately amidst her meteoric success.
While she’s had to sacrifice some anonymity, Wilson hopes to retain parts of her pre-fame life. “Life moves faster nowadays, but I want to keep it as down home as I can,” she says. The humble Southern singer seems focused on staying grounded despite her soaring status.
Lainey Wilson’s Net Worth Skyrockets Alongside Fame
Given her exponential rise the past few years, Lainey Wilson has seen her net worth grow immensely. Early on while playing Nashville bars and songwriter nights, she struggled to scrape by. “There were times I just had $20 to get me through two weeks,” Wilson remembers. For years her income consisted only of paltry performance tips and peddling her self-released albums from the trunk of her car.
After signing with a label and releasing “Things a Man Oughta Know,” Wilson finally began earning serious money. Estimates peg Lainey Wilson’s current net worth around $500,000. While not bad, this seems likely to rise rapidly with her budding stardom.
As her music climbs the charts and sells out huge venues, Wilson’s paychecks continue getting bigger. She also earns income from acting roles and lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Caress body wash.
Industry experts forecast Lainey Wilson’s net worth could easily reach into the multi-millions within a few years. Especially if she takes home any of the major awards she’s up for. After long years barely scraping by, financial success must be quite sweet.
Lainey Wilson’s Accomplishments and Awards:
- 6 Academy of Country Music Awards nominations, 2022
- 3 Country Music Association Award nominations, 2022
- CMT Music Awards Breakthrough Video of the Year nomination, 2022
- Over 1.5 million Instagram followers
- Hit singles like “Things a Man Oughta Know” and “LA”
- Performs on Yellowstone TV series
- Tours with top country stars like Jon Pardi and Luke Combs
- Headlines sold-out shows at venues like Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium
- Has written over 3,000 songs
Wilson’s impressive accolades show she has vaulted to stardom faster than just about any country artist in recent memory. She’s become a top face of contemporary country music. Read this: Jesse Powell’s Passing: The Mystery Behind His Cause of Death
What’s Next for the Rising Retro-Country Star?
2022 was a monumental year for Wilson as she transitioned from promising up-and-comer to major country star. But more success awaits in 2023 and beyond. Wilson will be touring extensively, playing larger venues to meet demand from her swelling fanbase. She’s slated to open for megastars like Kenny Chesney in stadium shows that will introduce her music to huge audiences.
There are also rumors Wilson is back in the studio working on a new album anticipated to release later this year. Given her momentum, the project seems destined for more chart-topping and award-winning hits.
Wilson has also hinted she’d love to take on more acting roles after her Yellowstone appearance. “I’d be honored to get to do more acting. It’s so much fun,” she shares. With country music channels like CMT looking to create scripted shows, more opportunities seem likely.
At just 29 years old, the ceiling is sky-high for Lainey Wilson. Everything about her fun retro style and ability to blend old and new country vibes feels fresh and exciting. As she continues shining in the spotlight, Wilson seems sure to keep ushering in country music’s new era. She’s clearly one of the genre’s brightest rising talents.
Lainey Wilson Stands Out as a Unique Voice for Country’s Future
With her throwback outfits and distinctive blending of country music’s past and future, Lainey Wilson has broken out as one of the genre’s most compelling new artists. After spending years honing her songwriting and retro-inspired look in Nashville bars, her perseverance is paying dividends.
Wilson’s heartfelt storytelling and bold personal style have struck a chord with fans. Songs like “Things a Man Oughta Know” and her 2021 album have vaulted her to stardom. Major award nominations and acclaim as country’s next big thing have followed. Yet the down-home Louisiana native remains committed to staying grounded as her star rises.
At just 29 years old, Lainey Wilson’s glowing musical career is still only getting started. Everything about her funky retro vibe feels ahead of the curve. As country music evolves, Wilson seems poised to become the genre’s next icon. She represents a bright future filled with raw songwriting and bold individuality. Lainey Wilson is undoubtedly one of country’s most unique and promising new voices.
FAQ’s
How old is Lainey Wilson?
Lainey Wilson is currently 31 years old.
Does Lainey Wilson have any siblings?
Yes, Lainey Wilson has one younger sister.
How did Lainey Wilson’s career begin?
Lainey Wilson’s career took off after she moved to Nashville in 2011 to pursue music.
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