Re-Live Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson’s Show-Stopping ‘Never Say Never’ Performance From ‘CMA Fest’

Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson teamed up for an impressive performance of their multi-week chart-topping duet during 2022 CMA Fest in Downtown Nashville.

The country hitmakers joined forces to perform “Never Say Never,” a buzzed-about duet that appears on Swindell’s fourth studio album, Stereotype. 

Swindell and Wilson truly brought the song to life with an on-stage chemistry that was a force to be reckoned with. 

Released in November of 2021, “Never Say Never” was the most-added song upon its release, giving both Swindell and Wilson the biggest radio add day of their careers so far. 

Co-written by Swindell alongside Jessi Alexander and Chase McGill, “Never Say Never” serves as the country hitmaker’s 11th career radio single. The track follows the Georgia native’s back-to-back No. 1 hits “Love You Too Late” and “Single Saturday Night.” 

The duet finds Swindell and Wilson grappling over the end of a relationship. They both acknowledge that it’s time to move on, however, they admit that it’s nearly impossible to do so. 

“I never say never with you/ I end up together with you/ It’s hell and it’s heaven with you, baby/ Anything’s possible/ The highs are unstoppable/ It’s so uncontrollable, it’s crazy/ We say we won’t and then we do/ You’re all I want, I never say never with you,” Swindell and Wilson sing on the chorus. 

Earlier in the show, Swindell performed his current single “She Had Me At Heads Carolina.” 

CMA Fest ABC Special was filmed in Downtown Nashville at Nissan Stadium during the star-studded, four-day festival, which took place Thursday, June 9 through Sunday, June 12.

The three-hour music event of the summer featured 30+ performances and surprise collaborations from some of Country music’s hottest stars, including Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Russell Dickerson, Lady A, Parker McCollum, Darius Rucker, Luke Combs, Carly Pearce, Carrie Underwood, and Zac Brown Band and more. 

The Music Event of Summer, which marked the 49th year of the festival, was hosted by first-time hosts Dierks Bentley and Elle King.

“I think Elle brings so much to the table,” Bentley shared. “Onstage she’s just a riot and also super talented – a great combination of talent with comedic humor. A lot of spontaneous moments between the two of us and just a lot of laughs.” 

“I am co-hosting this whole shebang,” King added. “Not only do I get to do it with my buddy Dierks, I also get to see all these incredible performances and be a part of a big party!” 

The CMA Fest special aired at 8/7c on Wednesday, Aug. 3 via ABC Network and will stream via Hulu on Thursday (Aug. 4).

Additionally, CMA Fest will return to Nashville in 2023 for its 50th anniversary. The event will take place June 8-11 and tickets are on sale now.