Bell Bottom Country Queen Lainey Wilson Shines Bright on New Year’s Eve In Nashville
Wilson performed several of her hit tracks while sporting a silver sequin bell bottom ensemble.
Lainey Wilson; Photo: Dock Savage/CBS ©2023 CBS Broadcasting, Inc.
CMA Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson lit up downtown Nashville on New Year’s Eve, sporting a silver sequin bell bottom ensemble.
Lainey Wilson Lights Up Nashville On New Year’s Eve
The Louisiana native was one of the artists who performed live during NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE: NASHVILLE’S BIG BASH from Nashville’s Bicentennial Mall stage. For her performance, Wilson delivered live renditions of songs such as “Smells Like Smoke,” “Watermelon Moonshine,” and more as thousands of fans watched on from Music City awaiting the infamous Music Note Drop at midnight.
The Bell Bottom Country Queen topped her sparkly New Year’s Eve outfit off with a cowboy hat adorned with a silver hatband by Modern Myth Jewelry.
A Special New Year’s Eve Message
Ahead of the show, Wilson, who performed over 100 shows this year, reflected on her whirlwind year in a heartfelt Instagram post.
“2023 was the year of living ten years in one. Some sayings that come to mind when I think about the last 365 days are ‘strike when the iron’s hot’ and ‘the squeaky wheel gets the grease.’ I had to remind myself of those things my family used to say every single day this past year. I had to put myself back into the shoes of that little girl who wanted this more than anything because the truth is.. there have been moments I was so worn out I could barely put one foot in front of the other,” Wilson truthfully shared.
She continued, “I had to pull myself up by the bootstraps just like anybody who wants something bad enough. It’s work and I’m blessed I was raised to work because dreams don’t just come true without digging in and without the right people around you lifting you up and always reminding of the truth. The truth is… I know I was created to be right here and do exactly what I’m doing right now.”
She went on to showcase her gratitude to the Lord for helping make her dreams come true and thank those who have been beside her on this ride.
“My journey is proof that the Lord does give you the desires of your heart when you trust, receive, and believe. Thank you to my team who has been fighting for me for years and for doing all the things we said we would do. Thank you to my family for tracking me down to spend time with me and for answering my FaceTimes several times a day. Thank you to my friends who have understood that I couldn’t be totally present at times and for loving me anyway. And thank you to my fans. I have a love so deep for y’all. It is hard to put into words. I want to feel like I know y’all and I want y’all to feel like you know me. Thank you for allowing me to tell my story and somehow finding yours within the song. That’s country music for ya. We are just getting started. 2024, let’s do it again.”
Wilson will enjoy a few months of downtime in 2024 before kicking off her highly anticipated headlining Country’s Cool Again Tour.
Star-Studded New Year’s Eve Performances
NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE: NASHVILLE’S BIG BASH is a five-hour celebration, airing on Sunday, December 31 7:30-10:00 PM, ET/PT, 10:30 PM-1:05 AM, ET/PT on the CBS Television Network.
Hosted by Elle King and Entertainment Tonight’s Rachel Smith, the show is also set to feature performances by Thomas Rhett, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Trace Adkins, Grace Bowers, Kane Brown, Jackson Dean, Old Dominion, HARDY, Cody Johnson, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Brothers Osborne, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Trombone Shorty, Blake Shelton, Morgan Wallen, and Bailey Zimmerman. Additionally, Dustin Lynch will deliver a live performance from Times Square in New York City.
Viewers can also anticipate a special guest appearance from Tennessee Titans and five-time all-pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE: NASHVILLE’S BIG BASH is also streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*.
Executive produced by Robert Deaton and Mary Hilliard Harrington in collaboration with the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp, NEW YEAR’S EVE LIVE: NASHVILLE’S BIG BASH will be directed by Sandra Restrepo.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
You may also like
Country Next
Playlist
On Repeat
Get the latest country music news delivered straight to your inbox.
