A night meant to honor the “King of Country Music” took an unexpected turn when Lainey Wilson’s tribute performance sparked a storm of online backlash.
George Strait, famously known as the “King of Country Music,” took center stage at the 2024 CMA Awards, earning the prestigious Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.
George Strait holding his award at The 58th Annual CMA Awards on November 20, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images
The tribute was a star-studded affair, with Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jamey Johnson, Parker McCollum, and Lainey Wilson performing some of Strait’s greatest hits.
The lineup showcased unforgettable renditions of his classics. Wilson sang “Amarillo By Morning,” Johnson performed “Give It Away,” and Lambert and McCollum teamed up for “Troubadour.” To close the tribute, Stapleton joined Strait for a performance of “Honky Tonk Hall of Fame.”
While the live audience responded warmly to the star-packed performances, online reactions painted a different picture, particularly toward Wilson’s version of “Amarillo By Morning.”
Some viewers took to social media to share their dissatisfaction. One person commented, “Why can’t she just sing, instead of singing through her nose? She doesn’t fake country twang very well!”
Lainey Wilson performs onstage during The 58th Annual CMA Awards on November 20, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images
Another wrote, “She ruined this song too nasally n whining.” Others echoed similar sentiments, with one saying, “Lainey has ruined another classic song. They need to stop her.” Someone else added, “She butchered a beautiful song.”
The wave of online criticism didn’t stop there. Frustrated viewers continued to voice their opinions about Wilson’s take on “Amarillo By Morning.”
Lainey Wilson performs onstage during The 58th Annual CMA Awards on November 20, 2024, in Nashville, Tennessee. | Source: Getty Images
One commenter bluntly stated they were “tired of Lainey.” Another insisted, “Sorry, but no one can sing ‘Amarillo By Morning’ except George Strait.” The critiques grew sharper, with one saying, “Yikes, she destroyed ‘Amarillo By Morning.'”
Some comments didn’t hold back at all. One user wrote, “She messed up ‘Amarillo By Morning’ so bad I could hear cats outside screaming. She is awful. When is she going away?” Another put it simply, “Lainey Wilson can’t sing.”
A fan comment dated November 21,2024 | Source: YouTube/@CountryMusic
However, not all criticism was harsh, with one user noting, “I like Lainey, but I don’t like her singing this song.” Another commented, “Y’all[sic] gotta stop pushing Lainey so hard.”
Despite the backlash from her tribute performance, Wilson had another moment to shine at the CMAs. In a separate segment of the event, she performed her hit song “4x4xU,” which was released earlier this year.
While her tribute to Strait may have sparked controversy, Wilson had much to celebrate as the night went on. The country star walked away with two prestigious awards. Her music video for “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” won Music Video of the Year, and she was also crowned Female Vocalist of the Year.
Wilson achieved another major milestone in her country music career by hosting the 2024 CMA Awards, marking her debut as a host on country music’s biggest night. She joined the ranks of past hosts Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, stepping into the role with confidence and flair.
The trio brought their high energy and charm to the stage, keeping the event lively and engaging. Wilson’s hosting debut added an extra layer of excitement to the evening, showcasing her versatility in the country music scene beyond her singing career.
