Lainey Wilson shared an update on her dad Brian’s condition after he was hospitalized in July with a fungal infection.
The season 5 Yellowstone actress and “Heart Like A Truck” singer told Taste Of Country that he is “doing great” and finally home after spending two months in the hospital. Wilson also told the outlet that her dad underwent nine different surgeries over the course of a month and a half before spending three weeks in a rehab before he returned home on October 13.
The 2022 CMT Breakout Artist Of The Year revealed that her father suffered a stroke while in the hospital and had his left eye and some bones removed from his face as a result of the fungal infection.
“He’s doing great. He spent two months in a hospital from a fungal infection that completely took out the left side of his face,” Wilson explained. “They had to remove his eye, and they had to remove some bones and stuff in his face. He had a stroke on top of all of that.”
“He’s not supposed to be here,” she added.
While walking the red carpet at CMT’s Artist Of The Year celebration, where she was being honored as the Breakout Artist Of The Year, Wilson told PEOPLE that her dad was “fighting for his life” for several months before he finally got to return home.
“He was in rehab for three weeks, but he actually got to go home yesterday. It’s a miracle that he’s still here,” Wilson shared. “The neurologist that pretty much saved his life has never known anybody to survive what he did.”
Wilson is currently gearing up to release her highly anticipated new album, Bell Bottom Country. The 14-track project will include her latest single “Heart Like A Truck,” “Watermelon Moonshine,” “Live Off,” and more.
Her sophomore album will also feature a special tribute song she wrote in honor of her “Deddy” called “Those Boots (Deddy’s Song).”
Wilson shared that her dad has already heard the song and while she did admit that “he’s a man of few words,” she saw his toe tapping along to the tune so she knows he likes it.
“He’s a man of few words. I’m talking about like, the only way I knew that he liked a song of mine when I was little was if he was tapping his toe or not,” she explained to Taste Of Country. “And with this song, I played it for him and he was tapping his toe, so I was like, alright, check. But then afterwards he said, ‘That’s pretty dang good.’ So I was like, ‘We’re getting somewhere!’”
The album will also include a cover of 4 Non Blondes classic hit “What’s Up (What’s Going On).” Wilson co-wrote every song on the album except for the 4 Non Blondes cover.
“I’ve lived quite a bit of life the past few years, and I have a lot more to say,” Wilson shared of the new album. “Sure, I love a good pair of bell-bottoms, but Bell Bottom Country to me has always been about the flare and what makes someone unique — I have really embraced mine, and I hope y’all can hear that across this project.”
Bell Bottom Country is derived from the moniker folks use to describe Wilson’s unique sound, style and aesthetic — it’s Country, but with a flare. The project will allow Wilson’s authenticity to vibrantly shine through the vulnerable and empowering lyrics. The album, which will blend the elements of ‘70s Rock, Funk and Soul while remaining true to her Country roots, will also display her growth as an artist and songwriter.
Additionally, Wilson will soon join the cast of Paramount’s Yellowstone for its fifth season. The Louisiana native will take on the role of Abby, a character co-creator Taylor Sheridan crafted specifically for the “Things A Man Oughta Know” singer. On the show, Wilson will perform new original music, written and recorded by the hitmaker herself.
Lainey Wilson is also currently the most-nominated artist at the upcoming CMA Awards, which will take place in Nashville on November 9. The Louisiana native is currently nominated for Album of the Year (Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin’), Female Vocalist of the Year, Music Video of the Year (“Never Say Never”), Musical Event of the Year (“Never Say Never”), New Artist of the Year, Song of the Year (“Things A Man Oughta Know”).
The “Watermelon Moonshine” singer is now the fourth artist in CMA Awards history to earn six nominations with their debut on the ballot. Other artists to achieve this milestone included Kacey Musgraves (2013), Brad Paisley (2000), and Glen Campbell (1968).
6 NOMINATIONS!?!? I’m speechless. While I try to find the words just know that I’m blown away and so so honored and proud to be nominated. Thank you to the entire country music community! @CountryMusic #CMAawards pic.twitter.com/zdYp42tvtD
— Lainey Wilson (@laineywilson) September 7, 2022
Wilson is also set to perform during the CMA Awards, where she will join HARDY to perform their chart-climbing collaboration, “Wait In The Truck.”
For more information about Lainey Wilson and her upcoming album, visit www.laineywilson.com.
