Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert and Lainey Wilson delivered a powerhouse performance at the 60th Academy of Country Music Awards on May 8, 2025, unveiling their collaborative single “Trailblazer” to a roaring crowd at The Star in Frisco, Texas. The trio’s rendition, blending three generations of country talent, served as a stirring tribute to the genre’s pioneering women, with lyrics honoring icons like Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn while celebrating the trailblazing spirit of female artists today. Dressed in coordinated brown suede outfits accented with turquoise, the singers traded verses before harmonizing on the chorus, drawing a standing ovation and immediate streams topping 2 million on Spotify within hours.

The song, written by Lambert and Wilson alongside Brandy Clark and produced by McEntire with Tony Brown, captures the essence of resilience and sisterhood in country music. “We wrote it thinking of Reba from the start,” Lambert shared in a pre-show interview with Billboard, recalling how the track came together on her back porch. “It was about passing the torch—acknowledging the women who came before and the ones carrying it forward.” Wilson added that the title struck her during a conversation about influences: “We wanted something that felt like a match to kerosene—fiery, but full of heart.” McEntire, hosting the ACMs for the 18th time, called the collaboration “a full-circle moment,” wiping away tears as she took the stage. “Hearing it for the first time made me cry—then Lainey and Miranda did too,” she said.

“Trailblazer” opens with Wilson’s verse reflecting on heroes who “show ’em the ropes,” name-dropping legends like Patsy Cline and Tammy Wynette. Lambert follows with lines about leaning on “a little Louisiana twang and some Oklahoma rain,” nodding to Wilson’s roots and McEntire’s home state. McEntire’s pre-chorus declares, “Oh, I know a cowgirl when I see one / And I’m sure proud to be one,” before the group unites on the anthemic chorus: “Talk about a trailblazer / Cuttin’ one path at a time / Runnin’ like a dream chaser / Livin’ on a prayer and a rhyme.” The bridge invokes divine inspiration—”God said, ‘Let there be country music’ / He made good ol’ country girls like us to do it”—culminating in a grateful outro: “Oh, thank you, trailblazers / I’m rollin’ down the road you paved.”

Easter eggs abound: Lambert references her 2005 hit “Kerosene” with “You gave a match like me a little kerosene,” while the lyrics weave in McEntire’s 1993 duet “The Heart Won’t Lie.” The track’s production, overseen by McEntire and Brown (a veteran of George Strait and Reba albums), features acoustic guitars, fiddle swells, and harmonies that evoke classic country without feeling dated. “It’s vivid imagery with deep emotion,” Wilson told Taste of Country, emphasizing the song’s role in “savin’ a seat at the table” for future generations.

The ACM performance capped a night of milestones for the artists. McEntire, a 16-time ACM winner with 48 nominations, hosted with her signature warmth, kicking off with a medley of her hits. Lambert, the most-awarded woman in ACM history with 35 trophies from 75 nods, presented the Entertainer of the Year award—ironically to Wilson, who snagged her first in 2025 alongside Female Artist and Artist-Songwriter honors. Wilson, fresh off her Whirlwind album’s success, used her acceptance speech to thank trailblazers like McEntire: “Y’all paved the road—now we’re just tryin’ to keep the dust down.”

Post-performance, the single shot to No. 1 on iTunes country chart and entered Billboard Hot Country Songs at No. 12. Streaming numbers hit 5 million in the first 24 hours, per Spotify data, with fans praising the “three-voice storm” of harmonies. Social media exploded: #Trailblazer trended worldwide with 1.2 million posts, including fan edits syncing the chorus to clips of Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn. “This is country music’s passing of the torch,” tweeted Carrie Underwood, who collaborated with McEntire in 2024.

The collaboration underscores a shifting landscape for women in country, where female artists hold just 20% of airplay despite outselling men, per a 2025 CMA report. McEntire, a pioneer since her 1977 breakthrough, has long advocated for equality, co-hosting the ACMs to spotlight emerging talent. Lambert, known for her unfiltered anthems like “Gunpowder & Lead,” brought her songwriting prowess, while Wilson’s bell-bottomed rise—marked by her 2023 ACM New Female Artist win—represents the next wave.

Behind the scenes, the track’s creation was organic. Lambert and Wilson penned it on a porch swing, inspired by a casual chat about influences. “We called Reba from the set of Happy’s Place,” Lambert recalled, referencing McEntire’s NBC sitcom. Clark, a Grammy-nominated songwriter, added the bridge’s spiritual lift. Recording sessions in Nashville wrapped in April 2025, with the trio layering vocals in one take. “We teared up again,” Wilson said.

Reception has been electric. Rolling Stone hailed it as “a blazing anthem of rebellion and grace,” while Taste of Country noted its “personal nods that hit like inside jokes.” The official audio on YouTube surpassed 3 million views overnight, with the live ACM clip close behind. Fans on TikTok recreated the harmonies, amassing 10 million views under #TrailblazerChallenge.

As country evolves, “Trailblazer” stands as a beacon. McEntire, eyeing her 2026 tour, told MCA Nashville it’s “a reminder: We rise by lifting each other.” Lambert and Wilson, both touring this fall, plan joint appearances. For now, the song rides high—cutting paths, chasing dreams, one rhyme at a time.