Lainey Wilson: Tough as Nails opens in July and highlights all aspects of her career, from her time as a Hannah Montana impersonator to her ascendant superstar status
Lainey Wilson’s career arc will be on full display at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in a new exhibit dedicated to the Louisiana country singer. Lainey Wilson: Tough as Nails opens July 18 at the Nashville museum and runs through next June.
According to an entry in Wilson’s own journal, it was destined to happen: “My dream is to become a country singer/songwriter,” she wrote at age 16. “I know I can do it.” The journal page is among the items in the exhibit, along with assorted mementos from throughout her career and childhood. Her first leather saddle represents her history with horses, the tank top she wore as a Hannah Montana impersonator in the 2000s echoes her early hustle as a singer, and the rhinestoned Wrangler trench coat and jeans she donned for a Thanksgiving Day NFL halftime performance highlight her status on a worldwide stage.
“It’s a dream come true to have my own exhibit in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and such an incredible honor to be included next to so many of my heroes and legendary artists,” the “Heart Like a Truck” singer said in a statement. “These past few years have been a complete whirlwind, and it’s going to be really amazing to see the whole journey captured in the exhibit, along with some special items from growing up in Louisiana. I can’t wait to see how it turned out and for my family, friends and fans to check it out.”
Wilson’s exhibit will be supplemented by a special Songwriter Session featuring Aaron Raitiere and Jon Decious, who co-wrote Wilson’s “4X4XU,” among others.
In May, Wilson won a slew of trophies at the ACM Awards, including the top category of Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Artist-Songwriter of the Year. She released her new song, “Somewhere Over Laredo,” which interpolates The Wizard of Oz classic “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” last month.
