CMT names Lainey Wilson as "Breakout Artist of the Year" at the 2022 "CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR" celebration

Star-studded special premieres Friday, October 14th at 9p/8c from Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony

NASHVILLE - (October 5) - CMT today announced Lainey Wilson will be honored as "Breakout Artist of the Year'' at the 2022 "CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR," premiering Friday, October 14th at 9p/8c on CMT. Wilson, who is riding high on a remarkable year, is the fifth recipient of the coveted award, joining the ranks alongside previous honorees Mickey Guyton (2021), Ashley McBryde (2019), Kelsea Ballerini (2016), and Chris Stapleton (2015).

"This past year has been a wild ride," Wilson said. "To be considered for this award reinforces that the years of hard work my team and I have put in was all worth it. The team at CMT feels like family, and the way they genuinely support artists on their platform is so special and important for dreamers like me."

"When it came to naming 'Breakout Artist,' Lainey Wilson was unquestionably our only choice this year," said Leslie Fram, SVP, Music & Talent, CMT. "Not only is she a powerhouse performer and tremendously gifted songwriter with contagious energy and drive, she is just starting to show the world her range and versatility, as evident by her upcoming role on hit series 'Yellowstone.' From naming her as part of the 'Next Women of Country' franchise in 2019 to watching her shine on our CMT Music Awards stage with one of the most memorable performances this year, we couldn't be more thrilled to celebrate Lainey's much-deserved successes and cheer her on for all that's next!"

One of Nashville's fastest growing artists, Wilson has a growing string of No. 1 hits, including the Platinum-certified "Things A Man Oughta Know" and "Never Say Never" with Cole Swindell, while her two latest singles, "Heart Like a Truck" and "wait in the truck" with HARDY, both continuing to climb the charts as she readies to drop her new album, Bell Bottom Country, due out October 28th.This year alone, she has racked up an impressive number of award nominations and wins, including a sweep at this year's ACM Awards with a total of three wins, including 'New Female Artist of the Year' and 'Song of the Year,' and is the leading nominee heading into this November's CMA Awards, where she is up for six nominations. Wilson has performed around the globe for sold-out crowds throughout the US, UK and Germany, just wrapping the final date on Jon Pardi's Ain't Always The Cowboy tour and will play select upcoming dates with Luke Combs. This fall, she will make her acting debut on critically-acclaimed series "Yellowstone," returning for a highly-anticipated Season 5 on Sunday, November 13th on Paramount Network.

Wilson has a strong history with CMT, first named to its prestigious 'Next Women of Country' franchise in 2019. This past April, she gave one of the most raved about performances at the 2022 "CMT MUSIC AWARDS," performing her duet "Never Say Never" with Cole Swindell, in addition to a second song, "What Would Dolly Do" as part of "CMT Music Awards Extended Cut." Her first CMT performance and nomination was in 2021, where she performed on the Ram Trucks Side Stage; she has additionally been featured in an episode of CMT Digital's hit series "CMT Campfire Sessions."

The 2022 "CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR," hailing from Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center, will salute previously announced honorees Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, Kane Brown, Luke Combs and Walker Hayes with special never-before-seen performances, special guests and congratulatory moments. Alan Jackson will be named "Artist of a Lifetime." Additional honorees, performers and presenters for the 90-minute special to be announced soon.

2022 "CMT ARTISTS OF THE YEAR," is executive produced by CMT's Margaret Comeaux and Switched On Entertainment's John Hamlin. The Executives in Charge of Production are Jackie Barba and Heather D. Graffagnino. Leslie Fram is Executive in Charge of Talent. Shanna Strassberg is Talent Producer.

For more information, visit CMT.com, follow @CMT on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok and use the hashtag #CMTAOTY.

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About Lainey Wilson

Six-time CMA Award nominee and ACM New Female of the Year 2022 winner, Lainey Wilson has earned the enthusiasm of the industry, having been named to nearly every "Artist to Watch" list, winning MusicRow Magazine's Discovery Artist of the Year, Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year and Breakthrough Artist of the Year award and being crowned Billboard's "Top New Country Artist of 2021," the Louisiana native is one of Nashville's hottest and most buzzed-about new artists. Landing her first No. 1 with her PLATINUM Certified ACM Song of the Year "Things A Man Oughta Know," nearly 10 years to the day after leaving her small farming community in a camper trailer to chase her dreams, she has won over legions of fans with her signature Bell Bottom Country sound and aesthetic, which blends traditional Country with a modern yet retro flare. A prolific and sought-after songwriter (having co-writer credits on songs by artists including Luke Combs, Flatland Calvary and more), Lainey is a fresh, fierce voice in Nashville, delivering CMA nominated album of the year with her label debut, Sayin' What I'm Thinkin'. With a rockstar stage presence, her artistry has taken her across the globe, performing for sold-out crowds throughout the US, UK, and Germany with notable names like Jon Pardi, Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, HARDY, Jason Aldean, Ashley McBryde, and more. Her current single (Top 35 and climbing), "Heart Like a Truck" is the follow up to her recent return to the top of the Country radio charts with the two-week No. 1 hit, "Never Say Never" with Cole Swindell. She will release her hotly anticipated album, Bell Bottom Country on October 28, just before making her acting debut on the hit series Yellowstone on November 13.