Every so often, an artist walks on stage and changes the air. Lainey Wilson did just that at CRS New Faces 2022 with a firestorm of talent, confidence, and pure country soul. But this wasn’t just any performance. This was a full-on celebration of her unique style; both musically and fashionably with a guest list that read like a country music hall of fame. If you thought country couldn’t be fresh and retro at the same time, Lainey proved you wrong in bell bottoms and boots.
The CRS (Country Radio Seminar) New Faces showcase is a big deal. It’s where the future stars of country music introduce themselves to the gatekeepers of the industry and Lainey owned it. Her performance, dubbed the “Bell Bottom Country edition” was vibrant, bold and dripping with style. She brought the heat with her own hits and surprised everyone with special guests like Cole Swindell, Jon Pardi, Jimmie Allen, HARDY, and Tracy Lawrence. It wasn’t just a show; it was a movement.
CRS New Faces 2022: Bell Bottom Country edition
The audience was electric. You could see the heads nodding, the boots stomping and the phones flying into the air to catch every second. Country radio pros and fans alike were hooked; blown away not just by Lainey’s voice but by the message behind it. She’s not chasing trends. She is the trend. And that confidence? It’s contagious.
From there, Lainey’s momentum only grew. At the CMA Awards, she stepped out with “4x4xU,” an anthem that blended rural roots with raw power. Her vocals were sharp, soulful, and emotional; just like her story. It was no longer about being the next big thing. She was the moment.
4x4xU (Live from the 58th Annual CMA Awards)
The crowd’s reaction to “4x4xU” was immediate—applause that felt like thunder, cheers that echoed long after she left the stage. And the message? Clear: Lainey isn’t just singing country music, she’s rewriting it.
If you’re not already following Lainey, now’s the time. She’s posting tour clips, behind-the-scenes fun and heart-spilling stories on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok. And trust us, the Bell Bottom Country era is only just getting started.