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Reba McEntire shared an encouraging message to Lainey Wilson hours before she solo hosts the 59th CMA Awards on Wednesday (November 19).
McEntire, 70, shared a throwback clip of the moment she won her first CMA Award in 1984, scoring the Female Vocalist of the Year honor. She wrote in her caption on Instagram that “you never forget the first one,” as she reflected on the emotional moment. She wished this year’s nominees good luck, and said to Wilson, “I know you’re going to do an amazing job hosting. Keep blazin’ that trail, girl!”
Wilson, 33, is the first female artist to solo host the CMA Awards since McEntire hosted the show by herself in the early 90s. Wilson recently spoke about the 34-year gap between McEntire’s year hosting the CMAs and her own on an episode of Rolling Stone’s Nashville Now podcast. Country Music Association CEO Sarah Trahern pointed out during a press conference with Wilson earlier this week that Wilson is the third female artist in CMA history to host the show solo, following McEntire and Dolly Parton. Wilson said it’s “wild,” and added that she has “some big ol’ shoes to fill, (and) I don’t take it lightly.
“I texted Reba last night and I said, ‘if you had one piece of advice to give me going into this week, what would it be?’” Wilson said at the press conference on Sunday (November 16). “And I thought she was just gonna say something like, ‘just be yourself and have fun.’ She sent me a list. I was like, ‘woah, woah, woah, woah, woah. One piece of advice!’ But yeah, it’s, like I said, it’s some really big shoes to fill and I just am so honored.”
The Whirlwind superstar will take the stage as a performer on Country Music’s Biggest Night, along with Kelsea Ballerini, Brandi Carlile, Kenny Chesney, Riley Green, Miranda Lambert, Patty Loveless, Old Dominion, The Red Clay Strays, Chris Stapleton, BigXthaPlug, Luke Combs, Ella Langley, Megan Moroney, Shaboozey, Zach Top, Tucker Wetmore, and Stephen Wilson Jr. The Country Music Association announced on Monday (November 17) — along with presenters and special guests — that Keith Urban and Little Big Town also joined the lineup.
Find the full list of CMA Award nominees here. The 59th CMA Awards will air live on ABC at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on November 19. The show will be available to stream the following day on Hulu.
Watch McEntire’s first CMA win and her acceptance speech here: