Lainey Wilson leads the nominations for the 2023 CMA Awards. What you should know about the record-breaking country star

All eyes are on Lainey Wilson, the singer and TV star who For the second time in a rowis the most nominated artist at the 2023 Country Music Awards with nine nominations.

The Louisiana native spent years on the road in Nashville before making her big break with the chart-topping album in 2021 Say what I think. Outside of country music, fans may recognize Wilson from her recurring role in Yellowstonewhere she has played the aspiring musician Abby since the beginning of the fifth season of the series.

Here’s everything you need to know about Wilson’s career and her record-breaking CMA nominations.

What categories is Wilson nominated for this year?

• Entertainer of the Year

• Female singer of the year

• Album of the Year for Bell Bottom Land

• Song of the Year for “Heart Like a Truck”

• Music Video of the Year for “Wait in the Truck” featuring HARDY

• Single of the Year (two nominations): “Wait in the Truck” with HARDY and “Heart Like a Truck”

• Musical Event of the Year (two nominations): “Save Me” with Jelly Roll and “Wait in the Truck” with HARDY

Wilson is the first artist in 13 years to receive two Single of the Year nominations in the same year.

She is only the third woman to receive the most nominations in a single year, joining Merle Haggard and Miranda Lambert, who each received nine nominations in 1970 and 2010, respectively. Alan Jackson currently holds the record with 10 nominations in 2002.

What CMAs has Wilson won in the past?

Wilson was also at the top of the nomination list in 2022, scoring the most artists this year with six nominations. In the end, she took home two trophies for best new artist and female vocalist of the year.

Wilson’s other CMA nominations this year included Album of the Year for Say what I think, Music Video of the Year and Musical Event of the Year for “Never Say Never” and Song of the Year for “Things a Man Oughta Know.”

What awards is Wilson expected to win?

During Wilson’s Bell Bottom Land already won an Academy of Country Music Award for Album of the Year in May, music critics at billboard Bet she’ll take home the CMA awards for Female Vocalist of the Year, Single of the Year and Song of the Year for HARDY’s “Wait in the Truck,” which she features on.

“Wilson seems to be locked up [the Female Vocalist of the Year] category,” predicted staff writer Jessica Nicholson. “Wilson is the reigning champion in this category and seemed to be ever-present this year thanks to heavy touring, a trio of chart-topping songs, awards show appearances and a campaign with Wrangler.”

In the meantime, country universe say Wilson is a sure winner for Album of the Year: “Lainey Wilson is the one to beat,” critics wrote, noting that they expect her to “repeat her ACM win at the CMA Awards repeated”.

Rise in the country charts

Wilson began writing music as a child and moved to Nashville in 2011 after graduating high school. In 2014 she released a self-titled album and two EPs, followed by her first official studio album, Harderwhich had moderate success, but not on the level of their last albums.

Wilson rose to prominence following the release of her second studio album in 2021. Say what I think. With singles like “Dirty Looks” and “Things a Man Oughta Know,” the latter reaching the top Country charts In September 2021, the album was a huge success and was named Album of the Year at the 2022 CMAs.

She followed along Bell Bottom Land in 2022. The album won major success at the 2023 Academy of Country Music Awards and spawned several hit singles such as “Watermelon Sunshine,” “Heart Like a Truck” and “Wait in the Truck,” all of which reached No. 1 at the Academy of Country Music Awards US Country Radio Charts.

She was occupied Yellowstone in 2022 because Taylor Sheridan was a fan

During her years in Nashville, Wilson caught the attention of Yellowstone Creator Taylor Sheridan, who featured some of her songs on the show in 2019. He later offered her a small role in the fifth season, which took her to new heights.

In fact, Wilson’s manager Mandelyn Monchick recently said Washington Postthe exposure of Yellowstone gained traction among country radio programmers. They started playing their songs more often. Shortly thereafter, in August 2021, “Things a Man Oughta Know” became her first No. 1 single, making her one of two solo country artists to do so at the top of Billboard airplay chart this year.

Her butt went viral, but she got the last laugh

Wilson went viral on TikTok in January after a video of her appearing in leopard pants unintentionally highlighted her buttocks. The video sparked hilarious conversations, including from Wilson herself, and attracted a slew of new fans who had never heard of the singer before.

“I can’t even scroll my For You page on TikTok without seeing my big butt in everything,” she said in one December 15th Instagram Reel. “Whatever brings people here! But I’m just telling you, look at my file.” Bell Bottom Land. Either way, I’m glad you’re here. However you found me, I’m happy. Nice that you’re here!”

She added: “Look what I made of it Bell jar Below country? See what I did? We didn’t plan on that, but you know what? The Lord has a way of working things out.

In 2024 she will tour Europe and Australia

Wilson will tour abroad throughout 2024. Their first show begins March 20th in Melbourne, Australia and ends May 3rd in Oslo, Norway.

Advance ticket sales for Lainey Wilson: LIVE will be available from November 7th, with general sales starting on Friday November 10th LaineyWilson.com.

The CMA Awards 2023 airs Wednesday, November 8 at 8 p.m. on ABC.