Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson Power Through the Pouring Rain with ‘Never Say Never’ Performance at CMT Awards

Country hitmakers Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson joined forces on stage for the live television debut of their incredible new duet “Never Say Never” at the 2022 CMT Music Awards. 

Taking the stage outdoors on Nashville’s Lower Broadway in front of a massive crowd, the two artists launched into their smoldering Top 5 and climbing collaboration, which focuses on the kind of romance that keeps you wanting more. 

Swindell and Wilson’s rendition of the tune was the first duet of the night with many more to come. But, it didn’t go on without a few unexpected twists. The singers were welcomed by mother nature’s rain as they continued to pour out their hearts on the lyrics. 

Before the performance, Swindell opened up about his excitement to sing with Wilson.  

“It’s going to be rockin’, we’ve been waiting to do this for a while, so the fact that we’re getting to do this right here on the CMT Music Awards for the first time is special,” Swindell, who is attending the 2022 CMTMA’s with his girlfriend, Courtney Little, said. “But we need the energy from the crowd because we’re going to be bringing it up there and I can’t wait for everybody to hear them singing along and to get the song out there and play it live.”

“Never Say Never,” which appears as one of over a dozen tracks on Wilson’s recently released album, Stereotype, is up for the coveted Video of the Year at this year’s show.   

Other collaborations throughout the evening will include Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd, Jason Aldean and Bryan Adams, Jimmie Allen with Monica and Little Big Town, Mickey Guyton and Black Pumas, and Thomas Rhett and Riley Green. The Judds will also join forces for their first televised performance in over two decades.

The 2022 CMT Music Awards, hosted by Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown and  Anthony Mackie, broadcasted live from its new location, the historic Municipal Auditorium on Monday (April 11) on CBS at 8:00 p.m. ET. The show was also available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+.