MUSIC CITY MINUTE

Tim McGraw makes Lainey Wilson cry, LOCASH and Parmalee drop summer anthem | Music City Minute

Jun 12, 2026, 4:42 PM | Updated: 4:43 pm

Here’s one that’ll hit you right in the heart. Lainey Wilson has spent her whole career saying Tim McGraw is the reason she wanted to make country music – the two even grew up just down the road from each other in Franklin Parish, Louisiana, a few decades apart. But incredibly, the two had never actually met. That changed this past weekend at CMA Fest when McGraw invited Wilson to join him for a surprise duet of “I Like It, I Love It” at Nissan Stadium. But it’s what happened backstage that has the internet in its feelings. Years ago, a young Lainey wrote Tim a letter that he never received. When McGraw found out about it last year, he did something nobody expected he wrote her back. Backstage before the show, Tim handed Lainey a stuffed envelope and told her quote, “I wrote it as though I had gotten the letter, this is what I would’ve said.” Lainey fought back tears, and honestly, good luck not doing the same when you watch the video.
On a lighter note, if you’re looking for your summer soundtrack, LOCASH and Parmalee just delivered. The two acts teamed up on “Let the Country Music Play,” a country reimagining of Rupert Holmes’ classic “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” that swaps the beach bar for a boat on the lake and name-drops everyone from Shenandoah to Merle Haggard to Alan Jackson. It’s fun, it’s nostalgic and it’s out now on all platforms.
I’m Brailey, and that’s your Music City Minute.

Music City Minute

Florida Georgia Line...

Sarah Nelson

Florida Georgia Line – let’s get this show on the road! | Music City Minute

It has been four years since Florida Georgia Line rocked the country music world with their breakup. At the time, from an outsider’s perspective, it seemed like Tyler Hubbard and […]

4 days ago

Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images...

Sarah Nelson

Kane Brown: ‘Will you be my friend?’ | Music City Minute

Nearly every artist on Music Row at one point or another has described their experience in the industry as being a part of a big family. In fact, artists mentoring […]

8 days ago

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 11: Reba McEntire performs during the Super Bowl LVIII Pregame at Alle...

Sarah Nelson

Reba McEnitre is fixin’ to be a grandma | Music City Minute

After a lifetime of challenges and achievements, country legend Reba McEntire is gearing up for the most important role of her life. Earlier this year, Reba’s son and daughter-in-law, Shelby […]

9 days ago

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 15: Luke Bryan (Photo by Natasha Moustache/WireImage)...

Sheena

Turns out cutting a rug could score fans free Luke Bryan tickets | Music City Minute

Question: how many fermented beverages and awful dance moves would earn a person free Luke Bryan tickets for life? Drawing from experience, typically one-and-a-half to two beverages will at least […]

10 days ago

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 08: (FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY)  Garth Brooks performs onstage at the 51st an...

Sarah Nelson

Garth Brooks heads back to where it all started | Music City Minute

Garth Brooks is heading back to where it all started. Fresh off a history-making sold out show at London’s Hyde Park that drew over 70,000 fans, Brooks announced the Blame […]

16 days ago

CULLMAN, AL - JUNE 03:  Singer/Songwriter Thomas Rhett is joined on stage by his Dad Singer/Songwri...

Sarah Nelson

Rhett Akins gets surprise of his life | Music City Minute

Rhett Akins had no idea Jon Pardi was waiting backstage. Then came the words every country artist dreams of hearing. Sunday night at the Grand Ole Opry House, during a […]

16 days ago

Tim McGraw makes Lainey Wilson cry, LOCASH and Parmalee drop summer anthem | Music City Minute