Lainey Wilson gave her hometown something to remember during her Whirlwind Tour stop in Nashville, Tennessee. In front of more than 40,000 cheering fans, she surprised everyone by inviting her fiancé, former NFL quarterback Devlin “Duck” Hodges, to join her on stage for the very first time as a singer.

The crowd roared as Devlin walked out, clearly a little nervous but smiling wide. Together, they performed “4x4xU” — the same song that played during their engagement — turning the massive arena into an intimate, love-filled moment. Devlin’s warm, steady voice paired beautifully with Lainey’s sweet, heartfelt tone, creating a harmony that felt less like a performance and more like a personal love letter set to music.

It was a side of Devlin most fans had never seen. After retiring from football, few expected him to step into the spotlight as a singer — but that night, he proved he could hold his own alongside one of country music’s brightest stars.

Lainey and Devlin’s love story began in 2021, though they kept things private for nearly two years before walking the ACM Awards red carpet together in 2023. In February 2025, Devlin proposed at the former home of country music legend George Jones in Franklin, Tennessee, decorating the space with candles and personal touches to create a moment straight out of a romance movie.

Back in Nashville, the crowd couldn’t get enough. Fans danced, sang along, and cheered as the couple shared knowing glances and laughter between verses. Many later called it the most touching moment of the entire Whirlwind Tour — proof that music can be even more powerful when it’s wrapped in real emotion.

For Lainey, bringing Devlin on stage wasn’t just a sweet surprise for the fans. It was a celebration of their journey together — from their quiet beginnings to their engagement and now to sharing a stage in the city where her career began.

As the final notes of “4x4xU” rang out, the crowd erupted into applause, and Lainey leaned into Devlin with a smile that said it all: this wasn’t just another stop on tour. It was a memory they — and their fans — will cherish forever.