The Country Music Hall of Fame officially has a new legend on its roster, and what better way to honor him than with his fellow Louisiana native.
Last night, October 18, the one and only “I Like It, I Love It” singer with twenty-nine #1 hits, Tim McGraw, was officially welcomed into the legendary CMHOF alongside the 2026 class of fellow greats, Paul Overstreet and the Stanley Brothers. During the ceremony, McGraw was joined by his equally notorious wife, Faith Hill, for a rare appearance alongside their daughters
Apparently, the star-studded appearances didn’t stop there, with fellow artists Lady A, Parker McCollum, and Lainey Wilson performing tributes to McGraw throughout the night. Alabama’s frontman Randy Owen also had the honor of officially inducting McGraw into one of country music’s highest honors.
As for the latter of the three performers who just so happened to grow up just down the road from McGraw in Baskin, aka Louisiana star Lainey Wilson, she delivered a stunning rendition of McGraw’s 1997 staple, “Just To See You Smile.” Wilson and McGraw’s relationship has continued to grow this year, with the two even sharing the stage at CMA Fest for a duet of “I Like It, I Love It,” making Lainey’s tribute all the more special.
The 34-year-old bell-bottom star also offered a heartfelt speech during the ceremony, recalling her own first few memories of McGraw’s influence on her, sharing that she and her sister had dance routines to every one of his songs. “You were my very first concert down on the farm tour, and Mama took me and my sister in a double stroller, and I’ll tell you what, I will never forget it.”
The Grammy Award winner affirmed, “I feel like a seed was planted that night.” And as if being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame wasn’t already a major honor, knowing you’ve helped inspire one of the genre’s biggest stars today is a pretty incredible compliment in itself.
Check out both Wilson’s performance and speech below: