Ella Langley, a rising star in the country music scene, was honored with her very first Academy of Country Music Award for New Female Artist of the Year on a momentous Friday afternoon, April 25. During her performance at the highly anticipated Rock the Country festival in Knoxville, Tennessee, Langley received an exciting congratulatory video message from Miranda Lambert, a legendary figure and the most awarded artist in ACM history, further solidifying Langley’s growing reputation in the industry.
The news was met with enthusiasm, as it was hardly unexpected; Langley led the nominations for the upcoming 60th ACM Awards with an impressive total of eight nominations. Notably, no other contender for the New Female Artist of the Year category, including Kassi Ashton, Ashley Cooke, Dasha, and Jessie Murph, had more than a single nomination, highlighting Langley’s standout performance and recognition within the country music community.
In her heartfelt video message, Lambert expressed her pride, saying, “I’m here to tell you how proud I am of you for being the top nominated artist for the Academy of Country Music Awards this year. You are my friend, first and foremost, a fellow dog rescue advocate, you are a co-writer, you are my soul sister in country music and a partner in crime. We are gonna celebrate so big in Dallas, Texas! They ain’t even ready!” This personal touch from Lambert underscores the supportive community within the country music genre.
Lambert’s own history with the award adds to its significance; she won in the same category back in 2007, just a year after Carrie Underwood took home the honor, and a year before Taylor Swift followed suit. This lineage of exceptional female talent showcases the legacy and impact these artists have had within the realm of country music, paving the way for new artists like Langley.
Both Ashton and Cooke, nominated alongside Langley, have also received nominations in the New Female Artist of the Year category previously, making this their second and final chance in this category. In contrast, Dasha and Jessie Murph are still eligible for future nominations, thanks to the forward-thinking policies established by both the ACM and CMA Awards, which allow new artists to be nominated twice in this category, ensuring opportunities for emerging talents.
At just 25 years old, Langley is not only nominated for New Female Artist of the Year but also for Female Artist of the Year. Furthermore, her breakout hit “You Look Like You Love Me,” featuring the talented Riley Green, has garnered her nominations in four prestigious categories: Single of the Year, Song of the Year, Music Event of the Year, and Visual Media of the Year. Langley’s recognition as both an artist and songwriter in the Song of the Year category, as well as her role as both artist and director in Visual Media of the Year, speaks volumes about her multifaceted talents.
The track “You Look Like You Love Me” achieved remarkable success, reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart, No. 7 on Hot Country Songs, and No. 30 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100. Langley has showcased her songwriting prowess by co-writing all the tracks on her debut album, titled Hungover, which impressively peaked at No. 11 on Top Country Albums and No. 49 on the overall Billboard 200, further establishing her as a formidable new force in the industry.
On Thursday, Zach Top was recognized with the New Male Artist of the Year award, marking a significant moment in his career. The ACM has yet to announce the winner of the New Duo or Group of the Year award, with nominees including Restless Road, The Red Clay Strays, and Treaty Oak Revival, each representing the exciting new talent emerging in the country music scene.
Ella Langley will be celebrated for her exceptional achievements at the highly anticipated 60th ACM Awards, which will be hosted by the iconic Reba McEntire. The awards show is set to stream live, providing a global audience with access on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch on Thursday, May 8, at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT / 5 p.m. PT, all from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. For fans wishing to attend in person, a limited number of tickets are available for purchase on SeatGeek.
The ACM Awards, a prestigious event honoring the best in country music, are produced by Dick Clark Productions, a company owned by Penske Media Eldridge, which is a collaborative venture between Eldridge Industries and the parent company of Billboard, Penske Media.
