Lainey Wilson reveals how travel inspires her music and road life

Lainey Wilson’s music takes her on the road a lot – which is a good thing, because travel also fuels her art.

Whether it’s hearing music from different regions or seeing new landscapes, destinations leave their mark on the country star’s songwriting. “I love being out west, I love the desert,” she told USA TODAY. “There's something really special about that, and healing about that, and I feel like I catch myself when I'm writing a song kind of going back to some of those places and dreaming about being out there in the desert.”

Hearing stories during meet-and-greets in various cities leaves an impression, too. “I get to meet so many different types of people from so many different walks of life, shake their hand, look in their eye, and feel like we're friends when the conversation is over, and I feel like that's a big part of my inspiration,” she said.

Wilson is now partnering with Hilton to give fans their own gigtripping experience. As part of the hotel company’s Hilton Honors America road trip experiences – celebrating the country’s 250th birthday – Hilton Honors loyalty members can book a package including two tickets to her Atlanta concert, a meet-and-greet and more for just 250 points.

Wilson spoke to USA TODAY about how she likes to travel and how fans can turn one of her shows into a trip for two.

How does Lainey Wilson like to travel?

While life on tour doesn’t always allow for much downtime, she tries to make time for fun in each destination.

“I feel like a lot of my life has is lived on a timeline, on a schedule, and so (I try) to make sure that I carve out that time to like go and explore and see the town, go to the coffee shops, meet the people, hear the different accents, all the things like that,” said the “Somewhere Over Laredo” singer.

Planes and buses aren’t always her go-to, though. In Europe, for instance, Wilson said she often travels by train.

“There's something about just getting on that train and putting in your earbuds and reading a book, and just being able to look out the window and watch the world pass you by, and get to see all the different landscapes and the sheep and all those things,” she said. “If we had more trains over here (in the U.S.), I'd be hopping a train.”

She’s used a wide range of transportation modes. At 19, she traveled back and forth between Louisiana and Nashville before moving to Music City full-time in a camper trailer – which she then lived in for three years.  “I feel kind of like I'm a professional traveler,” she said.

She still likes to have creature comforts on the road, though: She brings her French Bulldog, Hippie Mae, with her when she can – “She is rotten; it’s her world, we’re living in it,” Wilson said – and packs books.

“I feel like for years I allowed my ADHD to convince me that I wasn't much of a reader, and I’m just really diving into that, so making sure I bring my Kindle, my Bible, anything that just makes me feel grounded and centered and focused, and makes me feel like I can get up there and do the best that I possibly can for the fans,” she added.

How to book Lainey Wilson’s Hilton Honors America package

The package is good for two people, and includes tickets to Wilson’s Aug. 21 concert in Atlanta, alongside Chris Stapleton and Ashley McBryde. Other perks include a three-night stay at a Hilton hotel in Atlanta; two nights at Hampton by Hilton while travelers make their way there; a road trip starter kit including a $250 BP gift card, games and more.

Hilton Honors members can check Hilton’s website throughout the day to book the experience on June 25, which will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Non-members can sign up online for the rewards program.

Enrollment is free, but travelers must have at least 250 points in order to book the package (which can be earned within a one-night stay at a Hampton by Hilton).

“Truthfully, I've lived a lot of my life on the road, and I feel like some of my favorite memories and moments, song ideas, all of that has come from running up and down the road, so I just want to give people an experience,” Wilson said.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].