Very well-deserved.
Last night, Ella Langley was surprised with the news that she won the ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year ahead of her sold-out show in Savannah, Georgia as part of her The Dandelion Tour. She beat out a stacked group in Luke Combs, Riley Green, Megan Moroney and Morgan Wallen who were all nominated in that category as well.
The Alabama native has absolutely skyrocketed to the top of country music over the last year or so, and more specifically, since late last year when she released her smash hit single “Choosin’ Texas,” which was included on her recent hit sophomore album Dandelion.
She is one of the most-nominated acts this year, receiving seven nominations this year, including Female Artist of the Year, Single of the Year and Song of the Year for “Choosin’ Texas,” and Music Event of the Year for “Don’t Mind if I Do” with Riley Green.
Honestly, the award could have gone to anyone in that category and it would have been very much deserved, but Ella’s career is skyrocketing right now and she’s managed to crossover very successfully into the mainstream world too, which is no easy feat whatsoever.
She shared the news on Instagram, saying she feels “incredibly grateful” and is a “lucky gal”:
“Feeling incredibly grateful. Two sold out shows & ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year?! Thank you Estero, Savannah & the ACM Awards. I’m a lucky gal.”
The ACM Awards will air live tomorrow on Prime Video from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas at 5:00 PM Pacific / 8:00 PM Eastern, and the show will be hosted by Shania Twain.
The full list of nominees are below.
2026 ACM Awards Nominees
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Combs
Jelly Roll
Cody Johnson
Megan Moroney
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
Lainey Wilson
Female Artist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Lainey Wilson
Male Artist of the Year
Luke Combs
Riley Green
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Group of the Year
49 Winchester
Flatland Cavalry
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
The Red Clay Strays
Duo of the Year
Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Muscadine Bloodline
Thelma & James
Album of the Year
[Awarded to artist(s)/producer(s)/record Company–label(s)]
Ain’t In It For My Health – Zach Top; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Record Company-Label: Leo33
Cherry Valley – Carter Faith; Producer: Tofer Brown; Record Company-Label: Gatsby Records / MCA
Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe) – Riley Green; Producers: Dann Huff, Michael Knox; Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment
I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen; Producers: Joey Moi, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Durrett; Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records
Parker McCollum – Parker McCollum; Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse; Record Company-Label: MCA
Song of the Year
“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton; Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney; Songwriters: Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon
“Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley; Songwriters: Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top; Songwriters: Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols
“Somewhere Over Laredo – Lainey Wilson; Songwriters: Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Andy Albert, Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg
Single of the Year
“6 Months Later” – Megan Moroney
“Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
“The Fall” – Cody Johnson
Visual Media of the Year
“6 Months Later” – Megan Moroney
“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
“Cuckoo” -Stephen Wilson, Jr.
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson
“The Fall” – Cody Johnson
Music Event of the Year
“A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton
“Amen” – Shaboozey & Jelly Roll
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green feat. Ella Langley
“Trailblazer” – Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson
“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney
Songwriter of the Year
Jessie Jo Dillon
Ashley Gorley
Charlie Handsome
Chase McGill
Blake Pendergrass
Artist-Songwriter of the Year
Luke Combs
Riley Green
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
Morgan Wallen
New Male Artist of the Year
Gavin Adcock
Vincent Mason
Shaboozey
Tucker Wetmore- won
Hudson Westbrook
New Female Artist of the Year
Mackenzie Carpenter
Avery Anna-won
Dasha
Caroline Jones
Emily Ann Roberts
