Lainey Wilson helped make one fan’s birthday extra special this weekend during her set at the Voices of America Country Music Festival.
Wilson performed during the Ohio festival’s final day on Sunday and was joined on stage by a special guest, a young fan named Johnathan, aka “J.”
A Birthday To Remember
Johnathan’s appearance was facilitated through the Voices of America Country Music Festival, who partnered with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to give him a birthday to remember.
“VOACMF was proud to partner with Make a Wish to bring Johnathan’s wish of attending the 2023 festival to the next level,” the festival captioned a pair of photos of Wilson and J on stage together. “A huge thank you to Lainey Wilson and her team for being supportive of this wish!”
Wilson Introduced Fans To Her “Sweet New Friend” Onstage
Lainey Wilson also shared her own post, starting with a snap of the two on stage, their arms around each other as Wilson raises one hand in the air. She also included a photo of the two sharing a hug backstage as well as a video of herself and the crowd serenading J with “Happy Birthday.”
“Y’all give it up for my new friend right here tonight!” she exclaimed after finishing the song, raising J’s hand in the air.
“Got to meet a sweet new friend at @voacountrymusicfest… Johnathan “J”, I hope it was the best birthday yet,” Wilson’s caption read. “OH, thank you for helping make his birthday a dang good one.”
Lainey Recently Put Smiles On Kids Faces At Children’s Hospital
The singer is no stranger to using her celebrity for good, recently visiting Seacrest Studios at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville to spend time with the young patients there.
In a video shared on YouTube by the Ryan Seacrest Foundation, Wilson can be seen visiting with patients and taking photos as well as performing her hit song “Heart Like A Truck.”
“Moments like today make me remember why I’ve wanted to do this, why I started doing this,” Wilson said in the video. “It’s about using your gift for the good. It makes me remember what life is truly all about, and I’m so honored and blessed to have had the opportunity to stop by here today. It’s refilled my cup. These things make me want to do better and be better because of these kiddos.”
The Louisiana native is currently opening for Eric Church on select dates of his The Outsiders Revival Tour in between festival dates. At the end of the month, she’ll support HARDY on his the mockingbird & THE CROW Fall Tour.
Leading Female Nominee At People’s Choice Country Awards
She’ll also likely have to make time to attend the People’s Choice Country Awards in Nashville in September, as she’s nominated for seven awards at the inaugural show.
Wilson is up for the night’s top award, The People’s Artist of 2023, as well as The Female Artist of 2023, The Song of 2023 for her collaboration with HARDY, “wait in the truck,” The Collaboration Song of 2023 for “wait in the truck” and “Save Me” with Jelly Roll, The Album of 2023 with Bell Bottom Country and The Music Video of 2023 with “wait in the truck.”
The People’s Choice Country Awards will air live on September 28 at 8 p.m. ET/PT simultaneously on NBC and Peacock from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.
