Reigning ACM and CMA entertainer of the year Lainey Wilson just released her new album Whirlwind , a 14-song collection of new music, and is in the midst of her headlining Country ‘s Cool Again Tour. Beyond the spotlight, stage and studio, she also has a steadfast supporter in her corner — her boyfriend Devlin “Duck” Hodges, a former NFL athlete-turned-real estate agent. The couple have been dating since 2021, but they made their red carpet debut at the ACM Awards last year.
So it’s notable that a few love songs peek through on her new album, including “4x4xU,” “Counting Chickens” and “Hang Tight Honey.” However, in a recent interview with Billboard , four-time No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay hitmaker Wilson says not to expect many over-the-top ballads to proliferate her projects.
“I don’t think I’ll ever be that love songwriter that’s super mushy gushy at all,” Wilson says. “It’s going to always probably be a love song that’s like, ‘I love you, but I can still do my thing.’” She does say that Hodges has had an impact on her music, noting that he listens to every song she writes.
Though he’s not a musician, he offers a valuable perspective. “Everything I ever write, he hears because he truly is my best friend and he’s got a great ear,” she says. “He can’t sing a lick — he tries to — and he’s got great taste.
I know if I send him a demo or work tape, and he keeps going back and listening to it over and over, there m.