Following in the footsteps of two other legendary women. The CMA Awards are right around the corner, and the anticipation is growing to see which artists walk away with awards. With names like Stephen Wilson Jr., Zach Top, Ella Langley, the Red Clay Strays, and more all up for receiving awards, along with performances from Chris Stapleton, Kenny Chesney, Riley Green, Megan Moroney, and more, it should be a great night filled with incredible talent. On top of that, one of the most famous women in country music at this moment, Lainey Wilson, is set to solo-host the awards program. In September, the CMA Awards announced that the previous Entertainer of the Year winner (2023) would return to host the show, which she previously co-hosted with Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning. The CMA Awards reverted to a one-host model this year, which I think is the right move because it doesn’t really require three hosts, and Lainey certainly has the personality and experience to do it on her own. The bell-bottom queen is ready, are y'all? @LaineyWilson returns to host "The 59th Annual #CMAawards" LIVE November 19 on @ABCNetwork and stream next day on @Hulu! pic.twitter.com/WtnRaKKg57 — CMA Country Music (@CountryMusic) September 30, 2025 Lainey Wilson is also leading the pack alongside Megan Moroney and Ella Langley for the most nominations, with all three women receiving a staggering six nominations across the 12 major categories. So, Wilson is in for an epic night of hosting and (hopefully) winning. But Wilson is under added pressure ahead of the CMA Awards, as she’s the first woman to solo-host the show in over 3 decades. Yes, you read that right: a woman has not solo-hosted the CMA Awards since 1991. Reba McEntire was the last woman to solo-host the awards show in 1991, hosting herself in year two of her three-year stint. In the other two years, Reba handled hosting duties; she was joined by Randy Travis in 1990 and by Vince Gill in 1992. And prior to Reba McEntire solo-hosting the CMA Awards, she was preceded by only one woman: The one and only Dolly Parton. The “9 to 5” singer made country music history when she became the first woman to host the CMA Awards on her own in 1988. View this post on Instagram Given that Lainey Wilson is getting invited into this exclusive group of women to solo-host the CMA Awards, she feels the pressure to perform. During a recent press conference, Wilson shared that she has big shoes to fill following in the footsteps of these two legendary women. “It’s a big deal. I mean, I’ve got some big ole shoes to fill. So I don’t take it lightly.” Wilson shares that it’s “wild” for her to be only the third woman in country music history to host the CMA Awards, and noted that she reached out to Reba to see if she could give her any pointers before she’s under the spotlight on November 19. “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?’ And I thought she was just going to say something like, ‘Just be yourself and have fun.’ She sent me a list. I was like, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, one piece of advice!’  But yeah, like I said, I got some really big shoes to fill and I just feel so honored, so thank y’all for letting me run my mouth and celebrate country music.” View this post on Instagram Big shoes to fill indeed, but I am certain that the “Hang Tight Honey” singer will blow it out of the water. She’s a natural-born entertainer and brings her A-game to the stage every night, so I am sure it will be no different for her hosting duties. I hope the CMA Awards let her poke fun at some of her friends in the crowd… that will make for one helluva awards show.The post Lainey Wilson Says She Has Big Shoes To Fill Being The First Woman To Solo-Host The CMA Awards In 34 Years first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

Introducing your #CMAawards Entertainer of the Year nominees ✨

Listen to the five original songs performed during Ep. 5 of 'The Road' on Sunday night (Nov. 16). Continue reading…

Texas’ finest. Today, the Dallas Cowboys announced that Post Malone will headline The Salvation Army’s Annual Red Kettle Kickoff Halftime Show during the Dallas Cowboys’ game against the Kansas City Chiefs later this month, as many suspected based on some of the teasers the Cowboys shared on social media recently. Of course, they have featured country artists for the last several years in Lainey Wilson in, Dolly Parton in 2023 (iconic), and Luke Combs in 2022, which were all great, but Post’s performance will be extra special consider he is a Texas native and huge Cowboys fan. Plus, country music and football just goes together, so it would make a ton of sense for them to continue the streak and have another country artist of sorts perform again this year. Post says it’s an honor to be part of the show this year: “I’m from Texas. I grew up a Cowboys fan and have been watching this halftime show for years. It’s a real honor to be part of the Red Kettle Kickoff with The Salvation Army and the Dallas Cowboys and help bring hope to so many people.” It’s going to be a big game as the Cowboys will take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday, November 27th at 3:30 PM at AT&T Stadium, which will air on CBS, and I’m sure it will be a surreal moment for Post and his entire family. Charlotte Jones, chief brand officer and co-owner of the Dallas Cowboys and former national advisory board chairman for The Salvation Army, says they couldn’t be more excited to have Malone perform at the iconic halftime show, as he help bring awareness to the Red Kettle Campaign: “The Red Kettle Campaign is more than a tradition — it’s a lifeline. Every ring of a bell is a reminder that small acts of generosity can spark real joy. We’re proud to stand with The Salvation Army once again and are so excited for our biggest fan, Post Malone, to share his immense talent and energy with fans nationwide.” Personally, I think Post should be doing the Super Bowl halftime show, but maybe this is just a good warm-up and I will definitely be tuning in to see what he has u phis sleeve for everyone watching at home on this Thanksgiving: View this post on Instagram I know it will be fantastic, and I love me some Posty, I really do, but NOTHING, and no one, will ever top Dolly Parton’s 2023 Thanksgiving Halftime Show performance… Dolly Parton FULL Thanksgiving Halftime Show#NFL #AmericanFootball pic.twitter.com/hC6v38fa2v — Crypto.Man (@hoangcrab_) November 24, 2023 Or Creed’s for that matter… The post Post Malone To Headline Iconic 2025 Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Halftime Show first appeared on Whiskey Riff.