Guitar in hand and dressed head to toe in perfect rodeo cowgirl attire, complete with cowboy boots and a bolo tie, Lainey Wilson came riding in on a Ford truck and immediately engaged the crowd with her latest single, “I Can’t Sit Still.” Before her rise to fame, Wilson spent years living in a camper trailer outside a Nashville recording studio while chasing her music dreams, an experience that helped shape the grit and authenticity heard in her songwriting.
Just as memorable as her entrance, Wilson, an experienced horse rider, put her skills on full display as she exited the rodeo on horseback, with “Heart Like a Truck” lingering over the roar and applause of the crowd. The song has become one of her signatures, symbolizing resilience in a way that closely mirrors her own journey in the industry.
With support from her superb band, Wilson had the sold-out Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo crowd on its feet, dancing and grooving as the country superstar returned to the rodeo stage on Thursday, March 19.
Wilson brought undeniable energy to the crowd and wasn’t shy about showing it. Throughout the show, she twirled and danced, keeping fans hanging on every word of songs like “4x4x4u” and “Hang Tight Honey.” Her distinct “bell-bottom country” style, both musically and in fashion, has become her trademark, blending retro influences with a modern country sound.
You can’t talk about the night without mentioning Wilson’s guitarists, Kevin Nolan and Aslan Freeman, who delivered some of the finest solos the rodeo stage has seen. They stole the show during “Dreamcatcher” from Wilson’s first EP, as the trio rifled together in a melodic mix of guitar and bass that beautifully entranced the crowd. Before stepping into the spotlight, Wilson spent years performing at small festivals and writing songs for other artists, honing her craft long before headlining major stages like this one.
Wilson dedicated “Atta Girl” to the women in the crowd, and while the night was spectacular, it was especially magical for a young Presley Stewart, who was crowned “Cowgirl of the Night” during the song.
“I’m beautiful. I’m smart. I’m talented. I can do anything. I’m fearless, and I’m Cowgirl of the Night,” Wilson had Stewart recite after crowning her with a cowboy hat.
With songs such as “Watermelon Moonshine,” “Somewhere Over Laredo,” and “Things a Man Oughta Know,” Wilson delivered a powerful performance. The latter marked her first No. 1 hit and helped propel her into the spotlight, earning her major recognition across the country music world.
Blending old-school songwriting with modern Nashville glamor, Wilson, backed by her band, delivered an unforgettable night at Rodeo Houston.
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