Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, and Reba McEntire surprised the audience with a powerful and unannounced performance during the 2025 ACM Awards.
Three beloved names in country music—Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, and Lainey Wilson—came together at the ACM Awards for a standout collaboration that left a lasting mark. Their performance of a brand-new track wasn’t just about music; it was about legacy, emotion, and paying tribute to those who broke down barriers for the women of country music today.
On May 7, the ACM revealed that this dream trio would debut a powerful new anthem titled “Trailblazer” during the May 8 broadcast of its annual awards ceremony. The song would not only spotlight the legends of the past like Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline but also shine a light on today’s voices continuing the legacy.
The creation of “Trailblazer” was deeply personal for both Lambert and Wilson, who penned the song with Brandy Clark. Writing the lyrics stirred such deep emotions that both women were moved to tears. And when Reba McEntire first heard the completed track, it hit her just as hard, confirming that this was something special.
“I was sitting in the dressing room when I listened to it for the first time,” McEntire recalled in an interview with Billboard. “I couldn’t change a thing. Every lyric landed perfectly. I felt every word, and yes, I got emotional.”
Throughout the song, the lyrics nod to the greats—Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and Patsy Cline—while weaving in the personal roots and journeys of McEntire, Wilson, and Lambert. References to their home states and histories added a heartfelt, intimate dimension to the tribute.
Wilson expressed a heartfelt wish for “Trailblazer” to touch lives beyond just country fans:
“This is the kind of song I imagine three generations listening to together—a grandmother, her daughter, and a grandchild,” Wilson said. “It’s about country music, yes, but also about family, identity, and connection. Songs like this should speak to the people who live them.”
Miranda Lambert echoed those sentiments, emphasizing how the message behind the music reached far beyond just their own lives. It was about every young girl watching, every person needing strength, and every dreamer unsure of their place.
“This one isn’t about us as performers,” Lambert shared. “It’s about giving hope. It’s a voice for that little girl dreaming of making music, or for anyone who just needs to feel like they’re not alone on their journey.”
Captured backstage during rehearsals for the ACM’s 60th anniversary, the trio smiled together as Lainey Wilson was surprised with the Artist-Songwriter of the Year Award—marking a poignant lead-up to their history-making performance. (Photo Credit: Christopher Polk / Penske Media via Getty Images)
Unforgettable Performance at the 60th ACM Awards by Country Music’s Fiercest Women
Reba McEntire, Lainey Wilson, and Miranda Lambert shared the stage on May 8 for the very first performance of “Trailblazer.” The historic premiere came during the milestone 60th ACM Awards, and it felt like a generational handoff wrapped in music, tradition, and spirit.
Dressed in matching suede ensembles, the three stars looked like a band of sisters more than just collaborators. Each took turns delivering solo lines, but it was their combined harmonies on the chorus that truly brought the house to life. Their finale—hands clasped, heads bowed—was met with a thunderous standing ovation, a moment that felt sacred.
