Lainey Wilson lit up the stage at the 59th ACM Awards on Thursday night (May 16) with the first-ever live performance of her brand-new song, “Hang Tight Honey.” The night kicked off with a lively rendition of “God Blessed Texas,” setting the perfect tone for the high-energy show at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Rocking a bold red outfit on the red carpet, Wilson brought just as much fire to the stage. “Hang Tight Honey” — released earlier that week on Monday (May 13) — is an anthem for all the hard-working men and women out there, following her hit single “Country’s Cool Again,” which inspired the name of her 2024 headlining tour.
Speaking about the song, Lainey shared, “I’ve been running the roads nonstop for a few years now, and honestly, it’s tough being away from home so much. But remembering why I do it, and who I do it for, makes it all worth it. This one’s for the folks who work their tails off every day for the ones they love most.”
Co-written with Driver Williams, Jason Nix, and Paul Sikes, “Hang Tight Honey” will appear on Wilson’s highly anticipated new album Whirlwind, set to drop on August 23. The 14-track project follows her award-winning album Bell Bottom Country from 2022.
In a recent Q&A with iHeartCountry, Lainey talked about how she pulls inspiration from everywhere — from fan stories and meet-and-greets to things she sees on the news and experiences with her friends and family. “The beauty of songwriting,” she said, “is turning those real-life moments — good or bad — into music people can connect with.”
Lainey couldn’t hide her excitement about Whirlwind, calling it “the most cathartic and personal piece of art” she’s ever created. “I hope this record brings a little peace to your whirlwind, just like it did for me,” she added.
The star-studded ACM Awards night also featured performances from big names like Post Malone, Parker McCollum, Kelsea Ballerini, Noah Kahan, Nate Smith and Avril Lavigne, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani, Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Jelly Roll, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton, and the evening’s legendary host, Reba McEntire.
