Fans and critics alike are calling the performance by Lainey Wilson, Reba McEntire and Miranda Lambert at the May 8 Academy of Country Music Awards the “most profound moment in the show.“
The trio debuted their new single “Trailblazers” about the women who have gone before them in country music.
And the song is lighting a fire with fans and those inside the music industry.
Prime Video posted the performance on its Instagram account with the caption, “Three trailblazers, one unforgettable moment” and fans were quick to agree.
One commented, “I have it in repeat right now – I love it!” while another felt the performance deserved to close the show, writing, “This should have been the finale!!! ❤️🧡❤️🔥”
Another said, “THIS SONG & PERFORMANCE WAS INCREDIBLE!!! THEY SOUNDED AMAZING TOGETHER!!!🔥🔥🔥”
But fans weren’t the only ones singing the trio’s praises.
Rolling Stone wrote, “Three generations of musicians took hold of the 2025 ACM Awards stage” and USA Today called it “the most profound moment” in the lineage of women in country music.
Lainey & Miranda Wrote ‘Trailblazer’ With Reba In Mind
According to Billboard, Wilson and Lambert wrote “Trailblazers” along with Brandy Clark, sitting on Lambert’s back porch.
And they did it with Reba McEntire in mind, thinking precisely of this trio and this performance.
“We were like, ‘OK, we’re going to do a song with Reba — what kind of song do we write?” recalled Lambert after ACM rehearsals. “We were calling her on the set [of sitcom “Happy’s Place”] and trying to figure out, ‘What’s the right message for this trio? What do we really want to say in three minutes?’”The three decided they wanted a song about musical influences.
“We were just having a conversation about how both [Lambert and McEntire] have influenced me and passing the torch and blazing trails for each other,” said Lainey Wilson, who came up with the title. “Generation after generation, it’s going to continue, but we got to keep blazing those trails for the next one.”
The song namechecks some of country’s biggest female artists of all time, with the lyric “Dolly and Loretta, Patsy and Tammy too / They gave me a seat at the table and I’m saving one for you.”
Trio Formed Tight Bond Through Collaboration
Through the process of writing and rehearsing the song, Reba McEntire says she, Lainey Wilson and Miranda Lambert have become close friends, sharing a group text.
“We can’t tell you what’s in it,” Lambert told Billboard. “It’s off-color.”
Reba McEntire says technology like group texts have fostered the bond between them.
“There’s something different totally in these generations than the earlier generations, mainly because of the social aspect,” McEntire says. “We’ve got texting, we’ve got emails, communication at our fingertips, and we didn’t have that starting out. And I like it that things are more approachable. When I was getting started, I wouldn’t have even thought about talking to Dolly when she walked by me in 1977. I was brand new. She was a huge, mega, beautiful star. And I don’t know if it’s confidence that’s totally different, but I had [my musical heroes] all up on this pedestal where you can’t touch, you can’t talk. Now, we’re more friends and it’s a family. It’s totally different, and I like it this way.”
McEntire says friendship between the different generations of women in country music is what “Trailblazer” is all about. “We’ve got that camaraderie; we’ve got that helpful nature. If somebody needs something, the others come in to help. That’s very important. A lot of people think it’s backstabbing and so competitive. There’s enough room in this business — and all businesses — for everybody to be successful. We’ve just got to help each other and share what we’ve gone through and say what didn’t work. ‘Now here’s what did work. Maybe it will work for you.’”
Wilson refers to a line in the song about paying tribute to those who “gave me a seat at the table.” “One of the very first people to give me a seat at the table was that one right over there,” Wilson says, indicating Miranda Lambert. “She made me feel like I was welcome, and like she was my cheerleader. I think a lot of times people like to pit women against each other, and I think we’re just proving otherwise.”
Lainey Wilson Says Trio’s Group Text Provides Support
Lainey Wilson says the group text provides tremendous support. “Sometimes you need someone to talk to when you’re so exhausted.” Wilson looked at McEntire and continued, “I know I texted you one time and you told me, ‘Sometimes I have to get up [on stage] and sing for a different reason. Sing for my sister. Sing for whomever it is.’ And I remember those things when I’m on stage and feel like I can’t do it anymore.”
“I remember at the end of one of my long Vegas runs, I texted you,” Lambert says- also looking at McEntire. “I was like, ‘I’m crying getting ready. Just wanted to let you know. It’s one of those tiring days.’ And I feel like I’m not alone in that, because they’ve been there.”
Reba McEntire Predicts Future Collabs With Lainey and Miranda
When asked if the song is a one-off by Billboard, Reba quickly replied, “No ma’am!” before the question was even finished.
“I love singing with these gals. They’re a lot of fun. They’re great singers. Our harmonies blend so well. So why not?” said McEntire.
In fact, McEntire took the stage with Lambert at 2024’s Stagecoach and wants to do more of that. She told Variety, “I’d love to tour with Miranda. I love her sassiness and her fun energy and I love her music, so you bet — that’d be a great tour.”
Ultimately, the three just want to keep blazing those trails.
“It’s not about us,” Lambert told Billboard. “It’s about what the song means to little girls out there watching, or anyone out there watching that really has a dream or needs to be surrounded by people they love, and needs a little nudge to know they’re not alone.”
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Lainey, Reba & Miranda: Trailblazing Trio