Lainey Wilson's childhood dream came true at CMA Fest in Nashville

• Lainey Wilson met Tim McGraw at CMA Fest in Nashville
• McGraw surprised Wilson with a letter responding to her childhood note
• Both Louisiana natives performed "I Like It, I Love It" at Nissan Stadium

Lainey Wilson had a weekend she will never forget — one that turned a long-held childhood wish into a reality.

A letter from the past

On Tuesday, Wilson posted a video on YouTube that opens with her reading aloud a letter she had written to Tim McGraw as a young girl.

"Dear Mr. Tim McGraw, Singing, writing and performing are the most important things in my life. All I need is the opportunity, I can do the rest."

The video then cuts to CMA Fest in Nashville, where Wilson, 34, told the camera she was about to meet McGraw — describing the moment as her "childhood dream right here."

"He don't understand how much of an influence he is to me. I made up dance routines to every song he ever had and I might show him."

McGraw's emotional response

When the two finally came face to face, McGraw, 59, revealed he had only "recently found out" about her childhood letter. He told Wilson he felt "embarrassed" that it had never reached him at the time — and so he had taken it upon himself to write a reply.

"I wrote it as though I had gotten the letter. Had I gotten it then, this is what I would've said." Wilson took the letter from him and struggled to hold back her emotions.

"You're going to make me cry. Don't mess my makeup up for this. Mama and Deddy are not going to believe this." McGraw pulled her in for a hug and told her he was "so proud" of her.

A surprise stage reunion at Nissan Stadium

The meeting was not the only highlight of the weekend. On Saturday, Wilson and McGraw — both natives of Louisiana — delighted the crowd at Nissan Stadium when they took to the stage together for an unannounced performance of McGraw's 1995 hit "I Like It, I Love It."

A career shaped by country legends

Wilson's admiration for McGraw is deeply rooted in her upbringing. In a 2023 digital cover story with PEOPLE, she spoke of how she grew up listening to McGraw alongside country greats Glen Campbell and Patsy Cline.

"I grew up in a town where country music is life: We eat, sleep and breathe it. I have loved it with my entire heart, and I feel like country music is finally starting to love me back."

More recently, in an April 2026 cover story with PEOPLE, the "Watermelon Moonshine" singer reflected on how her career had unfolded, describing it as "all I could have ever wanted and more. Being fearless got me here. We're given one life — and I want to live it."