Louisiana Country Artists Mark 25 Years Since 9/11
Twenty five years ago, the world changed in a single morning. Today, we pause to remember the nearly 3,000 lives lost, the families who have carried that loss ever since, and the first responders and service members who ran toward danger to protect others. It is a day that still calls for reflection, gratitude, and unity, and we wanted to take a moment to honor it before returning to the music we love to cover.
Country music has long been a place where that kind of remembrance finds its voice, and Louisiana's artists are no exception. From a New York City stage to a state fair grandstand in Kansas, Louisiana's country music voices are showing up for the occasion in ways that reflect the genre's long relationship with service, sacrifice, and remembrance.
Lainey Wilson Performs at the Tribute in Light
Lainey Wilson, born and raised in Baskin, Louisiana, is performing tonight from the base of the Tribute in Light installation in New York City as part of a televised 25th-anniversary special. She is joined by Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik, who is expected to perform his 2001 song Superman (It's Not Easy), a track closely associated with the aftermath of the attacks. Cyndi Lauper is also set to appear on the broadcast, which is hosted by David Muir, Robin Roberts, and Diane Sawyer and airs at 8 p.m. across major television and streaming platforms.
The special is one of the largest televised commemorations planned for this year's anniversary, honoring those who died in the attacks as well as survivors, families, first responders, and affected communities. Wilson's participation puts a Louisiana artist at the center of one of the night's biggest national moments.
Trace Adkins Opens the Kansas State Fair on the Anniversary
Trace Adkins, a native of Sarepta, Louisiana, is opening the 2026 Kansas State Fair tonight with a Grandstand concert at 7:30 p.m. Fair organizers scheduled the show deliberately around the date. Kansas State Fair Executive Director Bryan Schulz said the fair wanted "an artist who truly represents patriotism and respect for our military and first responders" for the 25th anniversary, calling Adkins "the perfect fit."
The pairing reflects Adkins' long-standing support for veterans, including his work with the Wounded Warrior Project on behalf of post-9/11 veterans.
A Louisiana Legacy of Remembrance in Country Music
Louisiana's ties to 9/11 remembrance in country music run deeper than this year's headlines. Kix Brooks, the Shreveport-born half of Brooks & Dunn, has spoken about writing and first performing Only in America in the immediate wake of the attacks. The song, released before September 11 but reframed by the country in its aftermath, became one of the genre's enduring anthems of resilience and has remained part of anniversary remembrances for 25 years.
Remembering Together
Whether on a stage in Times Square or a grandstand in Kansas, Louisiana's country artists are carrying forward a tradition the genre has held onto for a quarter century, using music to help a nation remember, grieve, and stand together. On this anniversary, we are grateful for the artists who use their platforms to honor that history, and for the first responders, service members, and families whose sacrifice it represents. We will never forget.
FAQ
What is Lainey Wilson doing for the 25th anniversary of 9/11?
Lainey Wilson is performing tonight from the base of the Tribute in Light in New York City as part of a televised 25th-anniversary special alongside John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting.
Why is Trace Adkins performing at the Kansas State Fair on 9/11?
Kansas State Fair organizers chose Trace Adkins to open the fair on September 11 specifically because of his longtime support for veterans and first responders, marking the 25th anniversary of the attacks.
What song is Kix Brooks known for in connection with 9/11?
Kix Brooks, of Brooks & Dunn, is known for "Only in America," a song that became closely associated with post-9/11 remembrance and resilience.
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