Lainey Wilson: ‘The More, the Merrier’ as Beyoncé Explores Country Music

Lainey Wilson Welcomes Beyoncé with Open Arms to Country Music World.

“I’m all for it. The more, the merrier,” exclaimed Wilson, 31, in an interview with Extra. “[Country music] is about storytelling, making people feel at home and who doesn’t want that?”

Beyoncé made headlines during Super Bowl LVIII earlier this month by unveiling her transition into a new genre. Her announcement came through a commercial, revealing that her upcoming eighth studio album, “Renaissance: Act II,” is set to release on March 29. Alongside this news, she dropped two songs, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages,” both carrying a distinctive twang. This album serves as a sequel to “Renaissance,” which was released in July 2022 and led to a global tour and feature concert film.

While many celebrated the new sound, some country music enthusiasts have voiced criticism about the genre shift — yet Wilson remains unfazed. “Everyone has an opinion about everything,” she shrugged. “I’m a fan of Beyoncé.”

Wilson sees nothing but positivity in the resurgence of country music. In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly last month, the musician emphasized that while the genre has always maintained its cool factor, there has been a heightened longing for a sense of “groundedness” and “homeliness” since the 2020 pandemic, something that country music excels at providing.

Wilson highlighted that it’s the power of storytelling that captivates audiences the most. “I feel like we’re returning to that emphasis on storytelling, much like in the ’90s,” she expressed to Us. (Country music experienced a significant surge in popularity before the turn of the millennium, with artists like Faith Hill, Garth Brooks, and The Chicks making their mark in mainstream pop culture.)

Wilson has been a vocal advocate for placing country music at the forefront, a sentiment echoed in her own music. Her latest single, “Country’s Cool Again,” dropped on streaming platforms recently, serving as a homage to her upbringing and journey in the entertainment industry.

The singer’s upcoming tour shares its name with her latest song, “Country’s Cool Again,” set to kick off in Nashville on Friday, May 31st. Announced in October 2023, the tour spans over 35 performance dates and will feature Zach Top, Jackson Dean, and Ian Munsick as opening acts for Wilson.

Wilson’s own star has been on the rise since the release of her album “Bell Bottom Country” in 2022. Earlier this month, she clinched the awards for Best Country Album and Best Country Duo/Group Performance at the 66th annual Grammys. Additionally, she took home the title of Entertainer of the Year at the 2023 CMAs, setting a record with nine nominations. She also made guest appearances as Abby on season 5 of Yellowstone, treating viewers to performances of her own songs.

It remains uncertain whether Wilson will have a part in the concluding chapters of Yellowstone. However, she assured Us that she doesn’t intend to prioritize acting over music in the foreseeable future.

“I will always prioritize songwriting,” she affirmed. “Because it’s through songwriting that I’ve been granted all these other opportunities.”