Why Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert + Reba McEntire’s ‘Trailblazer’ Lyrics Are Personal

Lainey Wilson and Miranda Lambert say they wrote a new song called "Trailblazer" hoping Reba McEntire would join them. The country music icon says she never even considered saying no.

Billboard spoke with all three women about how the song came together and the direction of the lyrics. Brandy Clark helped the two previous ACM Entertainer of the Year winners write the "Trailblazer" lyrics at Lambert's house.

"I couldn't find a flaw in it. Not one word," McEntire says.

• Trailblazer debuted at the 2025 ACM Awards in Texas.
• The song looks to be one earmarked for a McEntire project.
• McEntire also hosted the ACMs.

Related: 2025 ACM Awards Performers [Full List]

The lyrics to "Trailblazer" namecheck the three singers' influences, including Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline. From there they pass a torch to the next generation to keep it going, Wilson says.

“We wanted to lean in pretty hard to paying tribute to each person," Lambert shares. “We had to do it strategically though, because we didn’t want it to be so blatant — but more like a secret thing that you would have to listen to it twice."

So look for subtle nods to Oklahoma and Louisiana, McEntire's and Wilson's home states. There's also a nod to Lambert's song "Kerosene" in the first verse.

It's not just about country music, however.

"When you’re writing a song and you get that like feeling, it’s like the Holy Spirit feeling. And you just feel it all over your body. Definitely had that," Wilson tells the publication.

Tony Brown produced the new song after the three singers record the vocals in Nashville. No one is saying if this will lead to something bigger with this group, but McEntire did say she'd love the chance to record with these two younger stars again.

The idea of a trio instantly triggers memories of Parton's Trio album with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. Nobody has gone as far as to suggest something similar with Lambert/Wilson/McEntire, but it's a fun thought.

Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, "Trailblazer" Lyrics:

Lainey Wilson:
Everybody needs a hero / Somebody who can show 'em the ropes / You gave a match like me a little kerosene / With every song you wrote.

Miranda Lambert
I'm lucky to have someone to lean on / When the weeds get high / A little Louisiana twang and some Oklahoma rain / And a heart that just won't lie.

Reba McEntire
Oh, I know a cowgirl when I see one / And I'm sure proud to be one.

Chorus (All):
Talk about a trailblazer / Cuttin' one path at a time / Runnin' like a dream chaser / Livin' on a prayer and a rhyme / You put a flag in the ground to a country sound / To the rhythm of your own highway / Talk about a trailblazеr / I'm rollin' down the road you paved.

Wilson:
I saw 'em on thе Opry / I heard 'em on the radio.

Lambert:
They taught be how to write, how to hold on tight / In this rhinestone rodeo.

McEntire:
It was Dolly and Loretta / Patsy and Tammy, too / They gave me a seat at the table / So I'm savin' one for you.

Repeat Chorus

McEntire:
God said Let there be country music / He made good ol' country girls like us to do it.

Repeat Chorus

Oh, thank you, trailblazers / I'm rollin' down the road you paved.