Lainey Wilson, Reba McEntire & Miranda Lambert Tease New Collab “Trailblazer” | Billboard News - video Dailymotion

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Lainey Wilson, Reba McEntire & Miranda Lambert sit down ahead of the ACM’s and share how they came together to create their new collab, “Trailblazer.” They share how Brandy Clark, Dolly Parton and more influenced the song, producing and recording together and more!  Are you excited for “Trailblazer?” Let us know in the comments!

Transcript

00:00It's going to be emotional because it really is important.

00:02It's not about us.

00:03It's about what the song means to little girls out there watching

00:06or anyone out there watching that really has a dream

00:10or needs to be surrounded by people they love

00:12and needs a little nudge to know they're not alone.

00:14That's what this song is.

00:15I want us to start by just asking how the song came together.

00:20The first conversation was an idea that we could write a song

00:23for all of us to sing together, right?

00:25Yes.

00:25And you brought up Brandi because we all love her so much.

00:28I love Brandi Clarks, writing, her singing, everything about her.

00:32Yeah.

00:33So we went to my back porch and, yeah, we were like, okay,

00:36we're going to get to do a song with Reba,

00:38so what kind of song do you think that, like, what do we write?

00:44Yeah.

00:44And she was on set, so we were calling her and trying to FaceTime

00:47and figure out, like, what's the right message for this trio?

00:51Like, what do we really want to say in a three-minute song?

00:54Yeah.

00:55Because it felt really important to all of us, I think.

00:57And I had texted with Brandi the day before, giving her some ideas,

01:01and then when I finally got to hear it, I was ecstatic.

01:06Yeah.

01:06Thrilled to pieces.

01:08And Brandi said that was the fastest she's ever written a song

01:10because they gelled so well together.

01:13It did fall out.

01:13We were just having a conversation about how both of y'all have influenced me

01:19and how it's just kind of like passing the torch

01:22and blazing trails for each other.

01:25And so it's just like, you know, generation after generation,

01:28it's going to continue.

01:29Well, we've got to keep blazing those trails for the next ones.

01:33Yeah.

01:33And who came up with Trailblazer?

01:36They are just from the conversation, really.

01:37I think we just started jamming on the guitar,

01:40and I don't even know really how that happened.

01:43Just through a conversation, yeah.

01:45Yeah.

01:45And we wanted to, like, lean in pretty hard on, like,

01:50paying tribute to each person.

01:52Yes.

01:53And give some little Easter eggs of, like, you know,

01:56song titles and places where we grew up.

02:01And so we had to do it strategically, though,

02:03because we didn't want it to be so blatant,

02:05but more like a little secret thing that you would have to really listen twice

02:10and be like, oh, I get it.

02:11That's all there states, and that's the song titles with kerosene

02:14and the part that won't lie.

02:16I don't know.

02:17I loved that we could fit that in there.

02:19For sure.

02:20And then, like, zooming out, too, that day,

02:22I remember thinking that, like, this could be a song

02:25that a grandmother and a daughter and a grandchild could listen to,

02:29and not just about the history of country music,

02:31but, like, I think they're blazing trails for each other,

02:36and they're helping each other over that wall,

02:38and I think a lot of people would love it, too.

02:39And life in general.

02:40Yeah.

02:40Can you talk about how intentional it was to make it very broad?

02:46Man, y'all could speak to this, too,

02:49but I think just as a songwriter, all of us try to make sure that, yeah,

02:54we're telling, like, our own, like, personal stories,

02:57but the truth is if we write it, like, exactly, exactly,

03:01and we're not thinking about the people that we're singing it to,

03:03then they're not going to be able to relate at all,

03:05and our job is to be able to relate to folks and have them relate to our songs.

03:09And so I think without even trying to do it, it kind of just happened.

03:13It wasn't a conversation we had about, like, okay,

03:16let's make sure that everybody and their mama could relate to this, too.

03:19It's just a...

03:20It's just the sentiment of the song, and it's the sentiment of friendship.

03:23I mean, outside of this world that we live in, this entertainment industry,

03:28we're also there for each other on, like, the real stuff, you know,

03:31and I think that's where anybody can relate to it.

03:35It's because it's just about somebody who's sort of, like you said,

03:37helping you over the wall, and there for the highs and the lows, you know.

03:41That's right.

03:42And that can also relate to this in any genre of work,

03:45whether it's in the TV business, movie business, or working at Walmart.

03:50People who have come before you help you make it...

03:54It's a little bit easier for you when you come on the scene.

03:57And I've had tons of people in my 50-year career who have guided me

04:01and steered me around the chug holes and, you know,

04:05stay away from the people you don't need to deal with here,

04:07the people you need to deal with.

04:09So it's trailblazers that have helped us all out.

04:11How, Lainey and Miranda, how do you feel like Reba has done that for you?

04:16Well, let me count the ways.

04:17I know.

04:18I'm like, how long do we have?

04:20I know.

04:20I'll be crying here.

04:21Oh, don't be doing that.

04:23My gosh.

04:24The way...

04:25I'm going to pretend you're not here, okay?

04:26I don't want your head to get big.

04:28Just the way she carries herself, the way that she interacts with people,

04:34the way that she's just an incredible businesswoman,

04:37how she has stayed true to herself and her roots,

04:40and even just the way that she talks.

04:43Like, it gave me the courage as a little girl to be like,

04:46okay, well, maybe I can be who I am and talk the way I talk

04:49and walk the way I walk.

04:50And it's because of folks like y'all who did not sacrifice any of that

04:56that gave me the courage to think that I could do this

04:59and not have to be anything other than myself.

05:02Glad to have helped.

05:03Yeah, I mean, to me, Reba's an epitome of authenticity.

05:07I mean, and just completely, while saying so true,

05:10always reinventing and always keeping it fresh,

05:13whether it's your TV stuff or your records or your red.

05:17It's like, it's always fresh, but it's still Reba.

05:19And I feel like that is, that's what, that's how I feel too

05:23because it lets me be like my authentic self

05:27because I feel like you gave us permission.

05:30Well, the song name checks Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn,

05:33Patsy Cline, and Tammy Wynette.

05:35How did that get in there?

05:37And how important was it for you to put what's basically

05:40the Mount Rushmore of women country artists in there?

05:45Well, I, for me personally, I was just,

05:47I was thinking about like who I was influenced by

05:49and also just like watching interviews,

05:52not that I've watched every interview you've ever put out.

05:56Creeper.

05:57Yeah, sorry.

05:58Truth comes out.

06:00But knowing who you were influenced and inspired by,

06:02and I think all three of us were, I mean,

06:05we were all influenced by the same people.

06:07Yeah.

06:07And it was those women who kind of said what they wanted to say

06:12with like a little bow wrapped on top.

06:14Yeah.

06:14And they weren't like, they weren't the kind of folks

06:17to like back down and, yeah, I think that's what it was.

06:21Strong women.

06:22That's it, for sure.

06:23Strong.

06:25Can you talk about producing it?

06:27So, Reba, you produced it with Tony Brown.

06:29Did you get to record it together?

06:31Were you all in the studio together?

06:32I was thrilled to death that we got to be in the studio together.

06:35Me too.

06:35And Tony Brown was our producer.

06:38I've gotten to work with Tony since, well,

06:40as a producer since 1990, but at MCA for many years.

06:45So all of us would be together and they're giggling

06:47and we'd be talking about something off topic of recording.

06:51Probably off color.

06:52And then we'd go, okay, here we go, rolling,

06:54tape is rolling, here we go.

06:55And so we just had a blast.

06:57It was so much fun to get to do it that way.

06:59And was that in Nashville?

07:00That was.

07:02Do you three have a group chat?

07:05Yeah.

07:06Texting, yeah.

07:07We can't tell you what's in it.

07:09I was kind of brought up and not there for a little bit.

07:12I said off color for a reason, guys.

07:15Some things are just for us.

07:17You're premiering the song tomorrow night.

07:20What do you want people to take away from hearing the song?

07:24Because also in rehearsal, you're clasping hands.

07:27So you're sending not just an audio signal,

07:31but, you know, a physical signal.

07:32Thank you for that.

07:33I think what I really want out of this song is to show people

07:37that we are friends.

07:40We've got that camaraderie.

07:42We've got that helpful nature.

07:44If somebody needs something, the others come in to help.

07:49That's very important.

07:50I mean, a lot of people think it's backstabbing and so competitive.

07:54There's enough room in this business and all businesses

07:57for everybody to be successful.

08:00And we've just got to help each other

08:02and share what we've gone through and what didn't work.

08:06Now here's what did work.

08:08Maybe it will work for you.

08:09Now stay away from this.

08:10And just to help each other out.

08:13That's the warmth I get from these two.

08:15Is there a piece of advice that any of you have given the other

08:18that has really meant a lot to you?

08:21Oh, my gosh.

08:21That you carry with me?

08:22I could do it a lot, honestly.

08:23I mean, like, we don't bug Reba every time we need something.

08:27But we're going to start now because you said we could.

08:30No, but I feel like I've learned a lot from both of these ladies.

08:34And, you know, I've been lucky to be around Reba for a while.

08:36And every time I feel like I take a little piece of wisdom.

08:39And then now getting to be around Lainey and watching her,

08:42how she's carried herself through this amazing journey of her star

08:46just rising and rising.

08:47It's just very classy.

08:49And I learn a lot by watching these girls just be who they are.

08:52And it still reminds me.

08:53Because we, you know, we're in it for a long time.

08:56And it's like you need reminders of, like, all the milestones that happen

08:59and to be in the moment.

09:00And I feel like I learned that from them because we all look at us.

09:04We're still here.

09:04And we're just living our dream.

09:07And we get to do it together.

09:09And that's very rare.

09:11I mean, I feel like I'm so happy to be part of the country music family,

09:14especially because that's what it feels like.

09:15It really is kind.

09:18What's the best way that you or other artists can pass on

09:21to younger female artists?

09:23I mean, one of the very first people to give me a sit at the table

09:26was that one right over there.

09:29She made me feel like I was welcome.

09:32And like she was my cheerleader.

09:34I think a lot of times people like to pit women against each other.

09:39And I think we're just proven otherwise.

09:43You know, I think that this is like a genuine, like, support system.

09:50And, yeah, I mean, there's been so many moments where I, like,

09:55you would think that this business would just kind of be common sense.

09:58And you'd, like, hit a roadblock.

09:59And then you figure out, like, okay, do you go right or left?

10:01But sometimes you just need somebody to call or be like,

10:05what do you do when you're so exhausted?

10:07I know I texted you one time, and you told me you were like,

10:11sometimes I have to get up there and I have to, like, sing for different reasons,

10:15sing for my sister, sing for whoever that is.

10:18And I remember those things even when I'm on stage.

10:21And I feel like I can't do it anymore.

10:23And I'm so, like, tired.

10:24I think about the women who have had long careers.

10:30And I want to have a career like them.

10:32They've done it right by being nothing other than themselves.

10:36And I think the best way to do that, like, for the up-and-coming girls

10:40is really just treat them how these girls have treated me.

10:43Yeah.

10:43And like you said earlier, like, I remember, like,

10:46the end of one of my long Vegas runs, I texted you and I was like,

10:49well, crying while I'm getting ready.

10:50I just wanted you to know it's one of those tiring days.

10:53And I feel like I'm not alone in that because I know that they've been there.

10:56Like, I feel, you know, it's just one of those, like, push through,

11:00but just even sending that message and going, you know,

11:03I feel like I have a family out there to, like, push me through to the last show

11:07and then I can rest and do it again.

11:09But sometimes you just need, like, to feel like you're not alone.

11:12Let me just add to that.

11:14There's something different totally in these generations than the earlier generations

11:19when I was first getting started in the music business,

11:22mainly because of the social aspect.

11:24You know, we've got texting, we've got emails,

11:27communication at our fingertips.

11:30And we didn't have that starting out.

11:33And I like it that things are more approachable now.

11:37When I was getting started, I wouldn't even thought about talking to Dolly

11:43when she walked by me in 1977.

11:47I mean, I was brand new.

11:49She was a huge, mega, beautiful star.

11:52And I don't know if it's confidence, what it is that's totally different,

11:56but to me, I had them all up on this pedestal where you can't touch,

12:00you can't talk.

12:01And now we're more friends and it's a family, totally different,

12:06and I like it this way.

12:08I think that's a credit to you, though.

12:09I mean, I don't know, you know, that you were approachable for them to talk to you.

12:14It's very important to be approachable in this business because if you're not,

12:19the fans, you've got to be approachable to everybody.

12:22It just sure makes it a lot more easier on me and more fun.

12:26Yeah.

12:26I use you as an example a lot.

12:28People are like, when you hear about people not being nice,

12:31or people ask you, how is it when you meet your heroes?

12:33I'm like, well, Reba and George Strait are two of the nicest people I ever met,

12:37so nobody has an excuse to be an asshole now.

12:39That's right.

12:39Period.

12:40That's it.

12:42I don't think anybody has a right to.

12:44I don't care if they're the cook, the janitor, the head and CEO.

12:48Nobody's got a right to be an asshole.

12:50No asshole.

12:51Sound bite.

12:52Now I just feel like I need to say asshole.

12:54Asshole.

12:55Sorry.

12:57Bleep, bleep, bleep, bleep, bleep.

12:59She was very good.

13:01Was the song written with the idea that you all were going to debut it at the ACNs?

13:06We hoped.

13:07Yeah, we hoped.

13:08We had our fingers and toes.

13:09We definitely want to be playing it everywhere we could,

13:11but this worked out so well to debut it right here at the ACNs.

13:16And my last question is, is this the last collaboration we're going to see?

13:21No, ma'am.

13:22Yeah, let's go.

13:24I love singing with these gals.

13:26They're a lot of fun.

13:27They're great singers.

13:28Our harmonies blend so well, so why not?

13:33I know.

13:33I love it.

13:34Let's go for it.

13:35I know.

13:35Did you cry when you were writing it?

13:37Did you cry when you first heard it?

13:39And how are you going to get through performing it without crying?

13:41Yes, yes.

13:42I have no idea.

13:43It's going to be emotional because it really is important.

13:46It's not about us.

13:46It's about what the song means to little girls out there watching

13:50or anyone out there watching that really has a dream

13:53or needs to be surrounded by people they love

13:55and needs a little nudged to know they're not alone.

13:58That's what this song is.

13:59Yep.

13:59Did y'all get emotional when you wrote it?

14:01Yeah, for sure.

14:02And I think when you're writing a song and you get that feeling,

14:07it's like the Holy Spirit feeling,

14:08and you just feel it all over your body.

14:10It definitely had that.

14:11We had that.

14:11We had chills.

14:12And we were like, okay, now we're about to send it to Reba,

14:14and if she don't like this, I'm like.

14:16I was like, here we go.

14:18And then once we found out that you loved it, we were like.

14:21Absolutely loved it.

14:22I remember us listening to it in the dressing room.

14:23And I just absolutely, I couldn't find a flaw in it, not a word.

14:29It was that good.

14:31It makes me happy.

14:32Yeah, me too.

14:32It was great.

14:33So no notes.

14:34No notes.

14:35And I was very emotional when I heard it,

14:36very emotional when we sing it.

14:39And pray for us to get through it.

14:41Yes.

14:42Yes.

14:43Yes.

14:44Yes.

14:45Yes.

14:46Yes.

14:47Yes.

14:48Yes.

14:49Yes.

14:50Yes.

14:51Yes.

14:52Yes.

14:53Yes.

Lainey Wilson, Reba McEntire & Miranda Lambert Tease New Collab “Trailblazer” | Billboard News

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