It may only be the beginning of February of 2023, but Lainey Wilson is already setting herself up to have a banner year as she makes history on the Country radio charts.
This week, not one, but two of her songs, “Heart Like A Truck” and “Wait In The Truck,” are currently sitting in the Top 10 of the US Country Radio (Mediabase) chart, per a Twitter post by US Radio Updater.
That means Wilson makes history as the first female country artist in over a decade to simultaneously have two songs in the Top 10 at country radio.
Those two songs – ironically truck-themed – are her emotionally-driven “Heart Like A Truck,” which is currently sitting at No. 7 and “Wait In The Truck,” her collaboration with fellow country artist HARDY, which is sitting at No. 9. Both tunes continue to climb up the charts week after week, allowing her to potentially nab two No. 1’s in the near future.
.@laineywilson is the only artist with multiple songs charting in the Top 10 of US Country Radio (Mediabase) this week.
#7. Heart Like A Truck
#9. Wait In The TruckShe becomes the first female artist in over a decade to achieve this feat. pic.twitter.com/r2ZP8g4iTZ
— US Radio Updater (@USRadioUpdater) January 29, 2023
After hearing the news, Wilson reacted in her Instagram stories, writing, “thank you Country radio” alongside emojis of prayer hands, a crying face and more.
“Heart Like a Truck,” for me, even though it’s in the title of the song, it’s really got nothing to do with a truck. It’s about triumph… and finding freedom within strengths. It’s about not being ashamed of the scratches and the dents, and the bumps along the way, but just embracing it,” Wilson previously shared of “Heart Like A Truck” in an interview with Variety. “Because at the end of the day, that’s what makes you you, and that’s what gives you a story to tell. So be proud of it.”
Wilson’s latest success comes after a whirlwind 2022, which saw her release her second album, Bell Bottom Country, and make her acting debut on the third season of the popular drama series, Yellowstone, playing the role of Abby. She also was the most nominated female country artist at the 2022 CMA Awards, with six nods in total. She scored two CMA trophies at the ceremony for Female Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year.
While Wilson’s star seems to have come out of nowhere her rise to fame has been far from an overnight success. The Louisiana-born and bred singer/songwriter spent years honing her craft in Nashville’s bustling music scene. She has previously shared that, for three years, she lived in a camper in her friend’s backyard.
“I don’t want people to think I just woke up one day, and it worked. I want to inspire people to work for something, to roll up their sleeves. When I was 19, and I moved to Nashville in my camper, oh, I was sure I was ready. I was ready!” she recalled. “Looking back on it now, I don’t even know if I was ready a year ago. And I don’t know if you’re ever completely ready, but I do think that being in this business for over a decade now, I feel like I know what to do and not do in certain situations, and I’ve learned how to carry myself. I didn’t want to be a flash in the pan, and whatever meant longevity, I wanted to do that.”
“I think for me, it was not supposed to happen for a long time, just so I could get a little more life. That way I could have stories that I could share with people that they were gonna be able to connect to and relate to and latch onto. And I don’t know if at 19 years old I had lived enough life. I mean, that’s when I moved to Nashville — I’ve been there now for 11 and a half years,” she added. “The weird thing is, though, of course, my songwriting has gotten better and I’m sure my singing has gotten a little better, for the most part, I’ve been doing the same thing the entire time. I don’t know if that means I’m an acquired taste. But I do think that me paying my dues and time is supposed to be a part of my story.”
Wilson’s “Heart Like A Truck,” which she co-penned with Trannie Anderson and Dallas Wilson, appears on her latest album, Bell Bottom Country.
Bell Bottom Country features 14 tracks, including “Watermelon Moonshine,” “Live Off,” “Hold My Halo,” “Atta Girl,” “Smell Like Smoke,” as well as a cover of 4 Non Blondes classic hit “What’s Up (What’s Going On).” Bell Bottom Country also features a tribute to her “Deddy” called “Those Boots (Deddy’s Song).” Every song on the project was co-written by Wilson, except for the 4 Non Blondes cover.
However, her duet with HARDY is absent from that project. Folks can find “Wait In The Truck” on HARDY’s recently released sophomore album, the mockingbird & THE CROW.
Lainey Wilson will also soon be honored with the RULEBREAKER award at the Billboard Women In Music event, which will take place on March 1 at YouTube Theater in Los Angeles, California.
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Wilson is currently on the road as part of her first-ever headlining Country With A Flair Tour. The sold-out trek, which includes support from Ben Chapman, Meg McRae, and Leah Blevins, launched on Wednesday (Jan. 4) in Spokane, WA, and currently concludes in March. The stint wraps up in Columbus, Ohio at The Bluestone on March 31.
Additionally, Wilson will also join Luke Combs on his massive 2023 stadium tour, which kicks off on March 25, 2023, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. The trek, featuring support from Riley Green, Flatland Cavalry and Brent Cobb, wraps up on July 29 in Philadelphia, PA at Lincoln Financial Field.
For a full list of Lainey Wilson’s upcoming tour dates, visit her official website HERE.
