When New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash burst onto screens and stages on December 31, 2025, Lainey Wilson didn’t wait for permission—she seized the moment. As one of the headliners alongside Jason Aldean and Bailey Zimmerman, the Louisiana-born powerhouse opened the five-hour CBS extravaganza with a blistering performance of “Hang Tight Honey,” instantly locking in the crowd and viewers nationwide. There was no slow build, no tentative warm-up; from the first strum and belt, Wilson commanded the stage at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, turning a chilly Nashville night into a roaring celebration. In that electric opener, she didn’t just kick off the show—she set the agenda for country music in 2026, proving she’s not here to follow trends but to lead them.

Dressed in her signature bold style—a vibrant outfit blending country flair with winter edge, complete with a standout hat and coat—Wilson strode out with unflinching confidence. “Hang Tight Honey,” the high-octane lead single from her acclaimed album Whirlwind, exploded with her powerhouse vocals, infectious energy, and that unmistakable bell-bottom swagger. The song, a road-warrior anthem about pushing through the grind with grit and heart, felt perfectly timed for New Year’s Eve: a declaration of resilience as one year ended and another began. Wilson’s delivery was flawless—raw yet polished, twangy yet universal—drawing the massive crowd into an immediate sing-along under the park’s twinkling lights.

The audience, bundled against the cold but buzzing with excitement, responded instantly. Thousands waved phones and sparkly hats, shouting lyrics back at the stage. One fan from her home state even caught her attention mid-song, yelling his hometown as Wilson paused to engage, flashing her warm smile and drawing cheers. It was that kind of connection—authentic, unforced—that made her set feel personal amid the spectacle. Sharing headliner status only amplified her presence; while Aldean and Zimmerman brought their own firepower, Wilson’s opener established the night’s vibe: bold, unapologetic, and forward-charging.

The event itself was a Nashville triumph, drawing record crowds to the free outdoor celebration and millions more via broadcast. Co-hosted by comedian Bert Kreischer and country hitmaker HARDY (who also performed), the lineup spanned generations and styles: legends like Brooks & Dunn and Keith Urban, rising stars like Megan Moroney and Zach Top, heartfelt moments from CeCe Winans and the Fisk Jubilee Singers, and high-energy sets from Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts, Riley Green, Gretchen Wilson, and more. The iconic Music Note Drop and fireworks capped the midnight countdown, but Wilson’s early dominance ensured the energy never dipped.

Her set didn’t stop at the opener. Wilson powered through fan favorites like “4x4xU,” “Whirlwind,” “Country’s Cool Again,” “Heart Like A Truck,” and “Watermelon Moonshine,” keeping the momentum relentless. A standout duet with co-host HARDY on “Wait In The Truck” added gritty drama, their voices blending in perfect tension. Even a brief technical glitch during the broadcast—causing a cutaway for some viewers—couldn’t dim her shine; when the feed returned, she picked up seamlessly, earning applause for her professionalism.

Wilson’s 2025 had already been monumental: Entertainer of the Year honors, sold-out tours, chart-topping hits, and cultural crossover moments. Opening Nashville’s signature New Year’s event felt like a coronation—a hometown-adjacent nod to her Louisiana roots in Music City’s biggest party. Fans online raved about her command: “Lainey didn’t just perform; she owned 2026 from minute one.” Her performance embodied the night’s spirit—celebrating country’s diversity while asserting its future lies in voices like hers: authentic, empowering, and unstoppable.

As fireworks lit the sky and confetti fell, Wilson’s opener lingered as the defining spark. Nashville knew it, the crowd felt it, and viewers at home echoed it: 2026 didn’t start quietly. It started on Lainey Wilson’s terms—bold, heartfelt, and ready to run.