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WATCH: Lainey Wilson Delivers Powerful ‘Heart Like A Truck’ Performance During ‘CMT Artists Of The Year’
Lainey Wilson brought her powerful single “Heart Like A Truck” to life during the 2022 CMT Artists Of The Year…
Lainey Wilson; Photo by Getty Images for CMT
Lainey Wilson brought her powerful single “Heart Like A Truck” to life during the 2022 CMT Artists Of The Year ceremony, which aired on Friday (Oct. 14).
The reigning ACM New Female Artist Of The Year and iHeartRadio Music Awards’ Best New Country Artist confidently belted out the lyrics to the fan-favorite tune.
“I got a heart like a truck / It’s been drug through the mud / Runs on dreams and gasoline / And that ole highway holds the key / It’s got a lead foot down when it’s leaving / Lord knows it’s taken a hell of a beating / A little bit of love is all that it’s needing / But it’s good as it is tough / I got a heart like a truck,” Wilson sang on the chorus.
Wilson, who co-wrote “Heart Like a Truck” alongside Trannie Anderson and Dallas Wilson, released the song on May 20.
“This is a song about finding freedom in strength, and not being afraid of your scars and bruises. A truck that has hit a few bumps and earned a few scratches has proved itself and its tenacity…the shiny one on the lot can’t say that,” Lainey explained at the time.
The song’s clever lyrics compare a heart to a truck and acknowledge that it’s okay to experience heartache. Through it all, the most important thing to remember is to keep going.
“I got a heart like a truck/ It’s been drug through the mud/ Runs on dreams and gasoline/ And that old highway holds the key/ It’s got a lead foot down when it’s leavin’/ Lord knows it’s taken a hell of a beatin’/ A little bit of love is all that it’s needin’/ But it’s good as it is tough/ I got a heart like a truck,” Wilson sings on the chorus.
“Heart Like A Truck” follows Wilson’s first-ever No. 1 hit and ACM Song Of The Year, “Things A Man Oughta Know,” and her most recent chart-topper with Cole Swindell, “Never Say Never.”
The tune will appear on Wilson’s upcoming sophomore project, Bell Bottom Country, which arrives on October 28 via BBR Music Group/Broken Bow Records. The project will feature 14 tracks, including “Heart Like A Truck,” “Watermelon Moonshine,” and her recently released tune “Live Off.”
The project will also feature a tribute to her “Deddy” and a cover of 4 Non Blondes classic hit “What’s Up (What’s Going On).” Wilson co-wrote every song on the album except for the 4 Non Blondes cover.
The Louisiana native was also celebrated during the 90-minute CMT special as the Breakout Artist Of The Year.
Introduced by Yellowstone’s Kelsey Asbille, Wilson accepted the prestigious honor, wearing a mustard yellow floral ensemble and hat.
“Haha! Long way from the camper trailer days. I moved here in a flagstaff 20 foot camper trailer. Was known as the camper trailer girl, but I was fine with it as long as people knew me,” Wilson began. “All I have ever wanted is a chance and I’m looking around the room right now and probably a lot of people watching this too. Whether you let me play your bar. Whether you sat down and wrote a song with me. Whether you took a meeting with me and passed on me. It don’t matter, I still took that as a chance and I saw a better moment.”
She went on to dedicate her award to her family and father, who recently returned home from an extensive hospital stay.
“Country music is truly my life. This one right now is, it goes to my family. My family has been going through a really hard time the last few months, my deddy has been in the hospital,” Wilson continued. ”He actually came home today. So thank y’all so much for real, I feel like every single person in the crowd right now, I’m looking around. It just seems like y’all are my family here in Nashville and this is a dream come true, and we’re just getting started. Let’s go!”
The 2022 CMT Artists Of The Year celebrated the success Carly Pearce, Kane Brown, Cody Johnson, Luke Combs and Walker Hayes have seen throughout the past year.
Alan Jackson was honored as the CMT Artist Of A Lifetime. The prestigious honor, presented by Ram Trucks, was previously awarded to Randy Travis (2021), Reba McEntire (2019), Loretta Lynn (2018), Shania Twain (2016), Kenny Rogers (2015) and Merle Haggard (2014).
Lainey Wilson was named the 2022 CMT Breakout Artist Of The Year. Wilson is the fifth recipient of the award, following Mickey Guyton (2021), Ashley McBryde (2019), Kelsea Ballerini (2016), and Chris Stapleton (2015).
The 90-minute concert event featured performances from Jackson, Pearce, Johnson, Brown and Wilson. Hayes joined forces with Ciara for a never-before-seen performance of their “Y’all Life” remix. Riley Green also took the stage to honor Luke Combs.
A heartwarming tribute to the late Loretta Lynn, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 90, also took place during the star-studded event when her sisters, Crystal Gayle and Peggy Sue Wright, performed in her honor.
In addition to a star-studded list of performances, the show also included presenters: Chris Stapleton, Dan + Shay, Dustin Lynch, Rascal Flatts’ frontman Gary LeVox, Kelsea Ballerini, Yellowstone’s Kelsey Asbille, and Shane McAnally.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. appeared remotely from his annual Dale Jr. Foundation charity event in North Carolina to present Combs with his 2022 CMT Artists Of The Year award.
The 2022 CMT Artists Of The Year premiered on Friday, October 14 at 9/8c on CMT.
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.
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