Lainey Wilson

For five years, she made a living as a Hannah Montana impersonator, performing at birthday parties, festivals, and other events. Her last gig playing Miley Cyrus' alter ego was a special performance at her local St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis. Being able to connect with the young patients through music was the push she needed to give it a go in Nashville in 2011.

Wilson's early days in Nashville were far from glamorous. She lived in a camper trailer outside of a recording studio and carted her demos up and down Music Row only to be greeted with doors slamming in her face. But her rough start in Music City proved to be the key to her success: It inspired the fearless attitude that shone through on tracks like 2018's "Middle Finger," and landed her a deal with Broken Bow Records.

In 2021, Wilson issued her major-label debut, Say What I'm Thinkin', which includes her breakout single, "Things A Man Oughta Know."