Kelsea Ballerini Has Something to Say About Lainey Wilson

Kelsea Ballerini is dropping her new album, Patterns, on Friday (Oct. 25,) so she stopped by Taste of Country Nights to chat with us about the project, and really, all of the things.

One topic the country star and Nights show host Evan Paul stumbled on is the upcoming CMA Awards (Nov. 20 on ABC) and who deserves to win the coveted Entertainer of the Year award this year.

After Ballerini gushed over Chris Stapleton and his vocal abilities, she started to break down what Entertainer of the Year really encompasses.

"I saw Stapleton, and he just can't be touched, he's just the best. But I'm talking vocally ..." she explains. "I'm talking vocally."

The "Cowboys Cry Too" singer continues, "If we're talking entertainer, to me, Entertainer of the Year is someone who is touring, is the most visible, being everywhere, showing up for the genre ..."

"And if we're looking at that, it's Lainey (Wilson)," Ballerini insists.

Wilson really has been everywhere this year representing the genre — most recently she was announced as halftime performer for the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game.

Like Ballerini, Wilson also dropped a new album this year, called Whirlwind, which is a fitting title given how the past few years have treated her. She's told us herself that her life and career has been moving so fast, especially this year, that she can barely keep up.

Adding fuel to her fire was winning both the ACM and CMA Entertainer of the Year trophies in 2023. Will she go for a repeat in 2024? She has Ballerini's vote!

32 Times Lainey Wilson Stunned in Bell Bottoms

Lainey Wilson has exploded onto the country scene in the past few years. In 2023, she became the CMA Entertainer of the Year.

Ever since she stepped onto the big stages, Wilson has always rocked a pair of bell bottoms. It has become her signature look. Let's take a look at 32 times Lainey Wilson stunned in bell bottoms.

Gallery Credit: Evan Paul

Lainey Wilson Facts: 13 Things Country Fans Need to Know

You already know Lainey Wilson's birthday, hometown, songs etc ... Here are 11 facts you probably didn't know unless you raised her. For example, did you ever wonder why she and boyfriend Duck Hodges don't kiss in public?

And did you know that she gave Yellowstone one firm rule when it came to kissing actor Ian Bohen?

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes

These Cute Pics of Lainey Wilson + Devlin Hodges Are Workin' Overtime

Slowly, but surely, Lainey Wilson is becoming more comfortable sharing her relationship with former NFL player Devlin Hodges with the world. Although it's unclear when their romance began, the pair made their first pubic appearance together at the 2023 ACM Awards. Then, they attended the CMA Awards together that fall.

Wilson has spoken very little about Hodges, but she did share that she's not afraid to put him to work around her home in Nashville.

"I put him to work," Wilson told Taste of Country ahead of the 2023 CMA Awards. "Look, he's got a long list of things. I'm like, 'Take the trash out, mow the yard, do something with the flower beds, feed the dogs.'"

One things is for sure, these two make an adorable couple.

Evan Paul is the host of Taste of Country Nights, a syndicated radio show heard on more than 130 country radio stations nationwide, every night from 7PM to midnight. The radio show reaches over 21 million listeners per week. He plays the best new country music and interviews today's top stars, like Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Dan + Shay, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Lady A, + more!