Since finishing as runner-up on American Idol, HunterGirl has had the chance to get to know some fellow Nashville artists on the rise, including Louisiana native Lainey Wilson.
During an interview with Music Mayhem, HunterGirl recalled looking up to Wilson when they were both at the stage of their musical journeys when they were playing anywhere and everywhere they could, just trying to get people to listen. Then, things came full circle when they finally got to hang out at this year’s CMA Fest.
HunterGirl explained that she often found herself crossing paths with the “Heart Like A Truck” singer when she first moved to the 10-year town. Seeing Wilson start off on the same path and go on to achieve so much success gave Huntergirl a glimmer of hope that one day, she would be in her shoes, or bell bottoms, doing the same thing with her music career.
“She was singing everywhere and she was writing these songs,” HunterGirl shared. “I still remember just how cool it was to watch that. She made me believe that I could write songs and play songs and play shows one day.”
In fact, the “Red Bird” singer has held onto one motivating compliment in particular that Wilson gave her after a writer’s round in Nashville.
“I still remember her coming up to me and telling me that she liked one of my songs. It gave me that hope that I could maybe do this one day.”
Reconnecting this summer just added to HunterGirl’s first CMA Fest experience as a performer. Following their meet up, she shared a photo of her and Wilson embracing in a tight hug on social media.
“One of my favorite people ever with the kindest heart. love you lady!” she wrote in the caption.
She told Music Mayhem, “Getting to have that moment and just CMA Fest in general, it’s just something I dreamed about forever. I’m still kind of processing it all even a few days later.”
Wilson shared a similar emotional response to stepping up on stage at CMA Fest because growing up, she also used to sit in the audience watch the performers in awe.
“Every year I’d sit out on the lawn at Riverfront getting sunburn as hell and dreaming’ of what it’d be like to play on a stage like that. Well, It was even better than I thought it’d be,” Wilson wrote on social media.
HunterGirl’s CMA Fest experience also included meeting fans and getting to perform her original songs during the sets of fellow country artists such as Jimmie Allen, Laci Kaye Booth and Chayce Beckham.
“Getting to sing my songs and get up with other people that I’ve really respected for a long time and people coming into me up on the street and saying, ‘Hey Hunter.’ I’m like, ‘oh my gosh, you know my name?’ That was a crazy experience.”
At the start of the busy week, she also appeared at the Bluebird Café to show support for her friend and Idol winner Noah Thompson.
Over the Fourth of July weekend, HunterGirl took a trip to Gatlinburg where she performed in the holiday parade. The rising star revealed that she’s “so excited” to get on the road with her band and play more shows this summer. In the meantime, she has continued to write new music and even teased an unreleased song on social media that’s dedicated to her hometown.
“I always wanted everybody to know I appreciated everything they did and you’re never gonna take my hometown outta me,” she humbly shared with Music Mayhem.
She added, “There are so many exciting things coming and I can’t wait to figure it all out.”
HunterGirl’s upcoming shows have yet to be announced.
