• Lainey Wilson’s Wildflowers and Wild Horses Tour hits the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on December 14th
• The country star tells PEOPLE about her massive 2024
• “I’m not going to lie, the recognition is great,” Wilson says after winning the Grammy and CMA Awards

For Lainey Wilson, it’s the little things that keep her grounded.

“I make sure I feel like Lainey: the sister, the friend, the daughter, the aunt and the dog mom and all those things,” the “Heart Like a Truck” singer tells PEOPLE. “As long as I can do that, I can be the best version of the artist I’m trying to be.”

Her last album was released in August, Whirlwindis aptly named. It reflects the country musician’s captivating career over the past year.

“The country is having its moment and I’m proud to be part of the movement,” says Wilson, 32.

The star recently completed her Country’s Cool Again Tour with over 35 shows. Last month, she co-hosted the 2024 CMA Awards with Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, days before an NFL Thanksgiving halftime performance in front of a sold-out Dallas crowd and millions of viewers at home.

“I get nervous more than anything, whether I’m singing for 20 people or 200 (or) 40 million households watching the Dallas Cowboys game,” Wilson says. “When I stop getting nervous, I’ll have to worry.”

And their year isn’t over yet. On December 14th, their Wild Flowers and Wild Horses Tour will stop at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. T-Mobile, the show’s official mobile partner, gives customers exclusive access to preferential tickets – even for sold-out shows. The company’s Magenta Status customers receive VIP access to artists and events, such as Wilson’s Magenta Saloon pop-up this weekend.

For the Bell Bottom Land Musicians, this upcoming performance will be a full-circle moment.

“We’re bringing out Mae Estes and Tracy Lawrence, it’s really cool to think Tracy Lawrence will be on my show list,” says the “Watermelon Moonshine” singer. “He took me on the road about three years ago and I remember him standing by the stage watching every single one of my performances.”

Wilson’s meteoric rise from opener to headliner wasn’t easy. For her and many other women in the industry, it is difficult to rise in the rankings.

“There is a change taking place, I would say. I hear that more female artists are being discussed. I still feel like we’re not quite there yet,” Wilson says. “But the thing about girls is, if they break through — because it’s so hard to break through — they can stand the test of time.”

In March, Wilson said billboard Country girls have a lot to say – and she’s telling PEOPLE they’re here to stay.

“Those who make the breakthrough now will stick around for a long time,” says Wilson. “It’s nice to see the girls coming through.”

Wilson’s career does not go without due recognition. She won the Grammy for Best Country Album earlier this year and received another award in the same category at the 2025 ceremony. She also won the 2024 CMA Award for Female Vocalist of the Year – the same night she hosted.

“I’m not going to lie, the recognition is great,” Wilson explains. “It gives me that little something extra and encourages me to keep going and do what I do.”

But according to Wilson, there is one insight that makes all the difference.

“When I was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry last year, it was better than any award I could ever receive,” she says. “The Grand Ole Opry is a magical place. My parents took me there when I was nine years old.”

She adds, “I remember where I was sitting and who I was watching and feeling like so much of country music history happened in this place and so many people walked through that door that gave me that have paved the way.”

Wilson has a lot more planned for 2025. She already has a head start on new music, kicking off her Whirlwind European tour on March 4th with a stop in Zurich.

“We’re going back to London, Germany, Scotland and all the great places,” says Wilson.

Wildflowers and Wild Horses tickets Tour stops in Las Vegas are now on sale.