Reigning CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson is preparing to drop her next album, Whirlwind, on August 23. In celebration of that, the "Hang Tight Honey" singer stopped by the Taste of Country Nights studio to chat with Evan Paul.

Knowing that Wilson has a song with Post Malone, "Nosedive," on Malone's country debut F-1 Trillion (Aug. 16), we wanted to ask Wilson her thoughts on Malone.

Was Lainey Wilson Skeptical About Post Malone Going Country?

"No, not at all," the "Heart Like a Truck" singer says, "because I had heard that he was influenced by a lot of country. He grew up listening to country."

"Once I met him and wrote with him and just worked with him, I realized this dude knows more about country music than a lot of folks," she adds.

Wilson went on to make sure everyone knows that Malone is where he belongs now:

"It's really incredible because the dude just loves music. He loves all kinds of music. I think he absolutely deserves to be in this genre, and I'm excited for him."

We asked Wilson if Malone was a handshake or a hug type of guy, and she replied quickly.

"Oh a hug, a hold-ya-tight kind of guy, you know what I'm saying?"

Surely the two got a chance to hug it out before they performed "Nosedive" at Malone's Grand Ole Opry debut this week.

Ahead of Malone's album release, it had already gone Gold for 500,000 units sold, so it's clear more than just his collaborators are excited he's gone country.

Evan Paul is the host of Taste of Country Nights, a syndicated radio show heard on more than 130 country radio stations nationwide, every night from 7PM to midnight. He plays the best new country music and interviews today's top stars, like Luke Combs, Morgan Wallen, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Dan + Shay, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Lady A, + more!

Country Stars React To Post Malone New Music

It's not enough to say country stars are supportive of Post Malone's genre-blending new album. Everyone we asked to react to the new music praised the pop-crossover artist and then took time to explain why.

This isn't polite adulation. Below you'll find honest responses from eight stars who've worked with him or watched as he broached the topic of a country album. They're young and old, progressive and traditional. Unless noted, all quotes came from interviews with Taste of Country.

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes

32 Times Lainey Wilson Stunned in Bell Bottoms

Lainey Wilson has exploded onto the country scene in the past few years. In 2023, she became the CMA Entertainer of the Year.

Ever since she stepped onto the big stages, Wilson has always rocked a pair of bell bottoms. It has become her signature look. Let's take a look at 32 times Lainey Wilson stunned in bell bottoms.

Gallery Credit: Evan Paul

Post Malone Debuts Country Album at Nashville Show

Post Malone packed a full house at Music City's Marathon Music Works on Tuesday July 17. There, he performed many of his pop hits as well as multiple songs from his upcoming album F-1 Trillion. During his time on stage, he performed two unreleased songs. "Yours" that tells about his daughter getting married one day, and "Would You Hide My Gun" with Hardy.

Gallery Credit: Adison Haager

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