Ain’t that the truth.
Lainey Wilson just wrapped up a monster 2025 — the kind of year artists spend a lifetime chasing. She capped it off in November by winning CMA Entertainer of the Year for the second year in a row, making her only the third woman ever to pull off back-to-back wins. As if that wasn’t enough, she also hosted the CMAs solo, walked away with Album of the Year for Whirlwind, and claimed Female Vocalist of the Year.
The wins didn’t stop there. Wilson stacked up multiple No. 1 radio hits, made her big-screen acting debut in the upcoming Colleen Hoover adaptation Reminders Of Him (out March 13), and took her Whirlwind tour worldwide. On the personal side, the “Watermelon Moonshine” singer got engaged to longtime boyfriend Duck Hodges in February, with wedding plans set for next year.
Now that 2026 is creeping into focus, Wilson is making it clear she’s not pumping the brakes.
Over the weekend, the Louisiana native stopped by the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. As part of her Tough as Nails exhibit — which runs through June — she sat down with local students to talk about her journey, then treated them to a few songs. Along with her recent No. 1 hit “Somewhere Over Laredo,” she also debuted an unreleased track called “People Need Jesus.”
The new song was written with Trannie Anderson and Dallas Wilson of the Heart Wranglers, both of whom joined her onstage. Before playing it, Wilson explained that the idea came from some gossip that was floating around. Either she or Anderson responded with a simple line that stuck: “Oh Lord, people need Jesus.” And just like that, the song was born.
They kicked it off with a first verse packed with classic small-town chaos and humor — the kind of storytelling Wilson thrives on — before sliding into a smooth, gospel-leaning chorus that instantly hooked the room.
After finishing the opening verse and chorus, Wilson paused to explain that she and Anderson actually wrapped that part up before bed. The next morning, the two started texting ideas back and forth — well before Dallas even woke up.
“Trannie sends me a couple lines, then Dallas wakes up like, ‘What are y’all doing?’” Wilson laughed. “I said, ‘We’re writing a song through text messages.’ And then we came up with this.”
She later told the crowd the song still isn’t fully finished, asking for feedback before diving into how the bridge came together. That final piece, she said, was inspired by a sermon from Dallas-based pastor Robert Madu, who spoke about discord and talking badly about others.
That reflection turned into a moment of self-awareness baked right into the lyrics — a reminder that sometimes the finger-pointing hits a little too close to home.
Even if “People Need Jesus” never becomes an official radio single, it already feels destined to be a Lainey Wilson cult classic — funny, honest, self-aware, and rooted in the same Southern storytelling that’s carried her this far.
Now somebody go ahead and release it. ASAP.
@cass_shines People Need Jesus! Yes they do! And the people need this recently (partially) written, unreleased song. 🫶🏼 Loved hearing this one today at the Heart Wranglers writers round at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum! Trannie Anderson, Lainey Wilson, Dallas Wilson 🔥♥️ #HeartWranglers #NewSong #PeopleNeedJesus #WritersRound @Lainey Wilson @Lainey Wilson’s Wild Horses @Trannie Anderson ♬ original sound – Cassie Hines