Lainey Wilson is a force of nature.
Raised in the tiny farming town of Baskin, Louisiana (population 170) she grew up between corn fields and country radio, where music wasn't a genre but a way of life. From writing her first song at nine years old to hauling a camper trailer to Nashville at 19, her path to becoming one of country music's biggest stars was anything but overnight. It took a decade of hustle, a Hannah Montana wig, and an unshakable belief that if she could just get one opportunity, she could do the rest.
Now she's selling out arenas across the world, winning back-to-back CMA Entertainer of the Year awards, starring in Yellowstone, and counting Dolly Parton as a friend who called her "sister." Through it all, her southern charm and small-town values remain her compass; ride horses, sit on the front porch with your dogs, and never forget who you are.
This episode was filmed for Season 5 of Take 5 with Zan Rowe. Lainey was warm, funny, and generous in sharing her extraordinary journey across five songs. The theme that emerged was clear: staying grounded is a choice you make every day, and being yourself is the bravest thing you can do.
Lainey Wilson's song choices:
- Mel McDaniel - 'Louisiana Saturday Night'
- Lee Ann Womack - 'I Hope You Dance'
- CCR - 'Lookin' Out My Back Door'
- Brothers Osborne - 'I'm Not For Everyone'
- Tim McGraw - 'Humble and Kind'
00:00 If Dolly Parton Believes in Me, Then I'm Fine
00:24 From Yellowstone to CMA Entertainer of the Year: "Cowgirl of the Night"
00:52 Daddy's Wisdom: "If You Tell All Your Business, You Ain't Got None"
02:44 First song: Mel McDaniel, 'Louisiana Saturday Night'
09:24 Nine Years Old in Nashville: "This Feels Like Home"
12:43 The Hannah Montana Impersonator: Five Years of Birthday Parties
14:39 Second song: Lee Ann Womack, 'I Hope You Dance'
19:00 Nashville Is a 10-Year Town and It Was Spot On
20:13 19 Years Old, 2011: A Camper Trailer Hauled to Nashville
23:19 Heart Like a Truck: The Breakthrough Single
25:59 Third song: CCR, 'Looking Out My Back Door'
30:13 Yellowstone, Grammys, and CMA Entertainer of the Year: "Since Taylor Swift"
30:49 "My Mind Is Always Racing": ADHD and the Song 'Can't Sit Still'
33:00 Fourth song: Brothers Osborne, 'I'm Not For Everyone'
37:52 TJ Coming Out as Gay: "Is Country Becoming More Welcoming?"
42:01 Fifth song: Tim McGraw, 'Humble and Kind'
45:09 Writing a Letter to Tim McGraw at 18: "All I Need Is an Opportunity"
47:07 Mama Meeting Dolly: "You're Like My Sister"
49:13 New Album: "Showing a Different Side and Pushing the Boundaries"
50:51 Zan's Wrap-Up: "I Could Listen to Her Speak All Day Long"
51:11 Watch Take 5 With Shania Twain on ABC iview
51:22 Next Time: Genesis Owusu
51:58 From Ghana to Canberra: "We Don't Have Time for the Honey and the Dress-Ups"
52:21 Season 5 of Take 5 With Zan Rowe. Stream on ABC iview
This episode was filmed for Season 5 of Take 5 with Zan Rowe on ABC TV and ABC iview. You can stream the whole season on ABC iview now.
Watch this episode of Take 5 on ABC iview
https://iview.abc.net.au/show/take-5-with-zan-rowe
