Three powerhouse generations of country music lit up the 2025 ACM Awards stage when Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, and Lainey Wilson came together for the very first live performance of their song “Trailblazer.”
Dressed in coordinated brown suede outfits accented with turquoise, the trio stood confidently against a backdrop of an open road. Their harmonies blended seamlessly as they faced one another, delivering lyrics that honored the women who came before them.
“Talk about a trailblazer, cutting one path at a time / Running like a dream chaser, living on a prayer and a rhyme / You put a flag in the ground to a country sound / To the rhythm of your own highway / Talk about a trailblazer / I’m rolling down the road you paved,” they sang, name-dropping icons like Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, and Tammy Wynette.
“Trailblazer” was co-written by Wilson and Lambert alongside Brandy Clark, with McEntire taking on producer duties with Tony Brown and Steve Marcantonio. This performance marked yet another milestone for McEntire, who returned as ACM Awards host for a remarkable 18th time since 1986.
Just last year, McEntire debuted her single “I Can’t” at the ACMs and later joined Lambert on stage at the 2024 Stagecoach festival. “I’d love to tour with Miranda,” McEntire told Variety. “I love her sass, her fun spirit, and her music — that would be one incredible tour.”
Lainey Wilson, meanwhile, arrived at the ACM Awards this year with a slew of nominations, including Entertainer of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, and Artist-Songwriter of the Year. She also picked up nods for Visual Media of the Year and Song of the Year for “4x4xU,” along with Album of the Year for Whirlwind. McEntire, over her legendary career, has racked up 48 ACM nominations with 16 wins, while Lambert boasts an impressive 35 ACM wins from 75 nominations.