by: Bee Delores
September 25, 2024
7 min read
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The countdown to the 2024 CMA Awards is on, and the buzz surrounding this year’s nominations has country music fans buzzing with excitement.
As always, the race for Entertainer of the Year is one of the night’s most anticipated categories.
With the biggest names in the genre vying for the coveted title, choosing a winner seems like an impossible task for many.
However, reigning Entertainer of the Year, Lainey Wilson has made her pick — and her choice might just surprise you.
The lineup for the Entertainer of the Year at the 2024 CMA Awards includes an impressive list of nominees, each bringing their unique flair to country music.
Let’s take a look at the contenders Wilson is up against:
With such a powerhouse group, it’s clear the competition is fierce. Despite being the reigning champion, Lainey Wilson doesn’t shy away from recognizing the talent around her and even throws her support behind another nominee.
As a two-time Entertainer of the Year winner (CMA and ACM), Lainey Wilson could easily rest on her laurels and enjoy her recent success.
However, during a recent interview on Taste of Country Nights with host Evan Paul, Wilson opened up about feeling the pressure to win again.
“I’ve worked my butt off this year to prove to the folks that thought I didn’t deserve Entertainer of the Year, to show them why the people in this town chose me,” the singer explained, reflecting on the skepticism she faced after her win.
Wilson, known for her hit songs like “Hang Tight Honey” and “Heart Like a Truck”, has spent the past year tirelessly working to prove herself in the eyes of critics.
For her, it’s not just about winning awards — it’s about showing why she deserves to be at the top of the country music industry.
While Wilson admits to feeling pressure, she also approaches the competition with grace and humility. “If it doesn’t happen, that’s alright,” she added, acknowledging the immense talent within the country music scene.
Wilson knows that plenty of deserving artists have yet to even be nominated for Entertainer of the Year, despite their contributions to the genre.
When asked about who she thinks should take home the Entertainer of the Year award in 2024, Wilson didn’t hesitate.
While some artists might shy away from endorsing their competition, Wilson proudly put her support behind two fellow nominees: Jelly Roll and Morgan Wallen.
“I mean, Jelly Roll a hundred percent, and Morgan (Wallen),” Wilson said during her interview, highlighting her admiration for the two stars.
Both Jelly Roll and Wallen have had remarkable years in country music, with chart-topping hits and sold-out tours.
Wilson’s endorsement of Jelly Roll is particularly significant, as his rise to fame in the country world has been nothing short of meteoric.
From his deeply emotional lyrics to his larger-than-life performances, Jelly Roll has captivated audiences and earned the respect of his peers.
Wilson also gave a shoutout to country queen Miranda Lambert, noting that she would have loved to see her nominated for the award as well.
“Even Miranda for CMAs,” she said, despite Lambert not being on the list of nominees this year.
For Wilson, recognizing the contributions of women in country music is important, especially given the long history of male dominance in the genre.
“It had been a long time since a girl had won Entertainer of the Year for CMAs, and it’s crazy to think about that,” Wilson pointed out, reflecting on the gender imbalance that has historically plagued the category.
Her win as Entertainer of the Year helped break that cycle, but Wilson believes that the industry still has work to do to ensure more women are recognized for their talents.
While Wilson is undoubtedly a trailblazer for women in country music, she remains humble about her success.
During her interview, she expressed deep gratitude for the artists who paved the way for her.
“There’s so many folks who’s done it, so I can do it,” she said, acknowledging the contributions of country music legends who helped shape the genre.
Wilson’s rise to stardom didn’t happen overnight. She’s spent years honing her craft, playing in small venues, and fighting to get her music heard.
Now, with multiple hit songs under her belt and two Entertainer of the Year awards, Wilson’s hard work has paid off. However, she knows that she’s not alone in her journey.
The path she’s on was paved by countless artists who came before her, and she feels a deep sense of responsibility to carry the torch forward for future generations of female artists.
Achievement | Details |
---|---|
2023 CMA Entertainer of the Year | Won her first Entertainer of the Year title at the CMA Awards |
2023 ACM Entertainer of the Year | Took home the top prize at the Academy of Country Music Awards |
Heart Like a Truck | One of her biggest hits, earning critical and commercial acclaim |
Collaborations with Miranda Lambert & Luke Combs | Worked with top country stars, further solidifying her place in the industry |
As the 2024 CMA Awards approach, all eyes are on Lainey Wilson. Will she take home the Entertainer of the Year title for the second year in a row?
Or will one of her picks — Jelly Roll or Morgan Wallen — steal the show? Either way, Wilson has already made her mark on country music, and her career shows no signs of slowing down.
With new music on the horizon and a jam-packed tour schedule, Wilson is continuing to build on the momentum she’s created over the past few years.
Whether or not she wins the big prize this year, one thing is clear: Lainey Wilson is here to stay, and she’s ready to prove that her place at the top of country music is well-deserved.
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