The Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville has opened the new exhibit “Lainey Wilson: Tough as Nails,” offering fans an intimate exploration of the Louisiana-born country star’s rise—from her humble rural beginnings to award-winning prominence. Running from July 18, 2025, through June 2026, the exhibit is included with museum admission.
The display showcases personal artifacts that trace Wilson’s journey: her first guitar and childhood saddle reflect her early musical passion and down-to-earth roots in Baskin, Louisiana. Visitors will also find her teenage journal entries—like her heartfelt declaration, “My dream is to become a country singer/songwriter. I know I can do it”—demonstrating her early determination.
The exhibit is rich in stage memorabilia, from the bell-bottom jeans and hats of Wilson’s signature “Bell Bottom Country” image, to designer outfits worn during key career milestones, such as her stunning 2023 CMA Entertainer of the Year red carpet ensemble and her CMA jump-suit. Also featured are pieces from her Grand Ole Opry debut in 2020 and her Grammy-winning era following her acclaimed 2024 album.
Lainey Wilson herself participated in the opening reception on July 17, where she voiced deep gratitude, calling the opportunity “humbling” and reflecting on her mother’s role in preserving her early keepsakes: “I have never been more proud of the fact that my momma was a hoarder until now”.
Country Music Hall of Fame CEO Kyle Young praised Wilson’s lifelong focus and perseverance, stating the exhibit honors “the seeds of her career… her emergence as a globally popular and beloved artist”. He emphasized that it chronicles her ten-year journey to stardom.
To celebrate the exhibit’s theme of songwriting and storytelling, a special songwriter session with Wilson’s collaborators Aaron Raitiere and Jon Decious is scheduled for July 19 in the museum’s Ford Theater.
“Tough as Nails” stands alongside past tributes to country legends like Dolly Parton and Luke Combs. It is carefully curated to showcase Wilson’s authenticity, grit, and modern impact on the genre.
For fans and casual visitors alike, the exhibit offers a heartfelt and immersive glimpse into how Wilson’s unwavering vision and “stars in her eyes” outlook propelled her from small-town Louisiana to the pinnacle of country music.
The exhibit runs daily from 9 AM to 5 PM alongside regular museum hours, with tickets accessible through the Country Music Hall of Fame’s timed-entry system.
This showcase is more than a display—it’s a tribute to Lainey Wilson’s remarkable perseverance, her family’s unwavering support, and her ascendant influence in country music.
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