Country Stars Lainey Wilson & Tim McGraw Team Up for Electrifying CMA Fest Duet
Lainey Wilson achieved a full-circle moment by performing with Tim McGraw at CMA Fest, fulfilling a childhood dream as a fellow country superstar. Their standout collaboration, alongside many other top artists, will be a highlight of the upcoming CMA Fest TV special airing on ABC and Hulu.
Lainey Wilson experienced a memorable full-circle moment during CMA Fest in early June, joining soon-to-be Country Music Hall of Famer Tim McGraw on stage. The collaboration saw Wilson, a fellow Louisiana native, perform McGraw's 1995 hit “I Like It, I Love It” during his set. Wilson, who had already performed her own set earlier that evening, infused McGraw's classic with an additional surge of energy, creating a standout performance for attendees.
This joint performance held deep personal significance for Wilson, fulfilling a long-held childhood dream. As a young girl, she had penned a letter to McGraw, expressing her aspirations in country music. In that letter, she famously wrote, “Singing, writing and performing are the most important things in my life. All I need is the opportunity, I can do the rest.” At CMA Fest, Wilson stood alongside McGraw not merely as an admirer, but as a celebrated artist in her own right, having achieved recognition as a CMA Entertainer of the Year-winning artist, a prominent country radio hitmaker, and a concert headliner.
The impactful performance by McGraw and Wilson is among the top highlights slated to be featured in the CMA Fest Presented By SoFI special. This three-hour primetime event is scheduled to air on Thursday night, June 25, at 7 p.m. CT on ABC, with availability the following day on Hulu. Hosted by Riley Green and Lara Spencer, the special promises to spotlight numerous surprise collaborations and top-tier performances from this year’s CMA Fest held in Nashville.
Beyond the celebrated duo of McGraw and Wilson, the CMA Fest lineup was packed with an array of talented performers. The diverse roster included artists such as Bailey Zimmerman, Blake Shelton, The Band Perry, Brothers Osborne, Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Deana Carter, Ella Langley, Fetty Wap, Florida Georgia Line, Gretchen Wilson, HARDY, Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Jordan Davis, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Michael McDonald, Molly Tuttle, The Red Clay Strays, Ricky Skaggs, Riley Green, Russell Dickerson, Shaboozey, Shay Morgan, Stephen Wilson Jr., Tucker Wetmore, and Zach Top, ensuring a rich showcase of country music talent.