Lainey Wilson On People-Pleasing: ‘Not Everybody’s Gonna Love You’
Country hitmaker Lainey Wilson has enjoyed a meteoric rise to stardom over these past couple of years. Her pure musical talent, combined with her infectious energy and signature bell bottom-centric ensembles, has placed her firmly in the hearts of many country fans around the world. But, as Lainey herself will attest, you’ll never be able to win over everybody.
During my time at Country Radio Seminar 2024 in Nashville, I was fortunate enough to sit in for a session titled “The Artist Interview”, which featured a conversation between Lainey and all-time country legend Trisha Yearwood. Whatever I did in this life to deserve such an amazing opportunity, I’ll make sure to do it twice next time.
Trisha and Lainey had a frank and illuminating discussion on many facets of the industry, including their individual struggles as female country singers. It was here where Lainey shared the story of an unpleasant but eye-opening moment she experienced while on a radio tour some years ago.
“I do remember one specific stop, and I was not prepared for this…” Lainey says with a chuckle. “He brings us in his office and he says, ‘play me what you got.'” What Lainey had at the time was her first big single, “Dirty Looks.”
I’m sure Lainey gave this anonymous radio employee a dirty look when he told her, “you should have left your guitar in the car, because I don’t want to hear you play.” After two listens of Lainey’s song on what she describes as “1997 computer speakers,” the man looked at her point blank and told her, “Lainey, you’re just not that good.”
There’s a sharp groan in the audience when she shared this part of the story. Imagine telling Lainey freaking Wilson that she’s “not that good” to her face! Thankfully, this did not shake Lainey’s resolve, as she reveals in the final portion of her story.
“I leaned across his desk and I said, ‘…out of the ten years I’ve been to Nashville, you telling me that don’t mean shit.”
Naturally this elicited thunderous applause from Trisha and those of us in the audience. “YASSS SLAY QUEEN,” screamed my inner monologue.
Being the consummate professional that she is, Lainey was careful not to reveal the name of the haterade-sipping radio employee. Ironically enough he may have even been there at the CRS event, which would have been absolutely hilarious in my opinion. Watch the video below to see that part of the conversation.
Wilson’s story relates to a struggle most of us face in life. Too often people are discouraged from chasing their dreams because they’re constantly told they’re not good enough to make it a reality. But as Lainey expresses, she uses that same criticism in her favor.
“I’m appreciative of moments like that, because it did light another fire underneath me…at the end of the day, not everybody’s gonna like you or love you…moments like that, they’re not fun but, if anything, they do build character.”
Lainey Wilson has obviously come a long way since then. With a number of chart-topping singles, six ACM awards, seven CMAs and even a Grammy under her belt, she continues to make believers out of even her biggest critics. Let her success be a lesson to us all: do what makes you happy, regardless of what others say.
On that note, I’ve decided to finally pull the trigger and buy my very own pair of bell bottoms. Thanks Lainey!
