Ella Langley Makes Electrifying Debut On ACM Stage As Most-Nominated Artist

Ella Langley made an electrifying ACM Awards debut when she took the stage at the milestone 60th show on Thursday evening (May 8).

Langley cemented her status as one of the genre’s biggest, rapidly-rising artists in the genre when she performed “weren’t for the wind.” The song appeared on still hungover, the 19-track deluxe edition of her debut studio record. Langley premiered the cinematic music video earlier this year (shutting down rumors she was engaged, after a glimpse of a ring sparked questions from social media commenters).

Langley was not only nominated for the first time, but the most nominated artist with eight nods. Miranda Lambert, the most awarded artist in ACM history, surprised Langley with her New Female Artist of the Year victory before the 60th ACM Awards. The first-time nominee also won the Visual Media of the Year category prior to the ACMs for “you look like you love me,” her viral duet with Riley Green. Langley also went on to win Single of the Year (“you look like you love me”) and Music Event of the Year (“you look like you love me”) during the ACMs on Thursday.

The Alabama-born singer-songwriter delivered her solo performance shortly after taking the stage with Lambert. Lambert delivered a heartfelt performance of “Run,” a ballad that appears on her latest studio record, Postcards From Texas. Afterward, she introduced Langley to the stage to join her on a duet rendition of “Kerosene,” the fiery title track of Lambert’s debut album that turned 20 this year.

Reigning Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson has also taken Langley under her wing, speaking highly of the “weren’t for the wind” singer and sharing a word of advice to her and other rising female artists.

“I feel blessed that that’s even an option,” Wilson said of receiving advice from well-respected women in country music, including Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton and more. “Those ladies have had such unique and long careers, and I think it’s because of the wisdom that was passed along to them, and now they’re passing along to me. So, I try to make dang sure that if the opportunity presents itself, that I’m also passing on that knowledge and that wisdom, especially to the females on the up-and-up right now.

“I’m buddies with Megan Moroney (and) Ella Langley, and to watch their stars just soaring, it’s really, really cool to see,” Wilson continued. “And at times, I wanna just pour out as much as I possibly can to them and be like, ‘don’t you miss this moment,’ you know? ‘Be present. Do whatever you gotta do to soak it in and celebrate these times, and then get ready for the next one because it’s going to be right around the corner quicker than you can even realize it just happened.’ So, my advice to them is really just to keep your head down and work hard, but also…acknowledge that their hard work has gotten them to this point…and not letting the voices of the world get them down.”

Langley received the highest number of nominations — in eight categories — at the 60th ACM Awards. The day the Academy of Country Music revealed the nominees, Langley shared an emotional clip on her Instagram story expressing her disbelief. She won two categories before the show, including New Female Artist of the Year (revealed in a surprise announcement by Miranda Lambert, who hailed her a “soul sister” and “partner in crime”), and Visual Media of the Year for “you look like you love me,” her viral duet with Riley Green.

The milestone 60th ACM Awards kicked off with a star-studded “Songs of the Decades” performance by host Reba McEntire, plus Clint Black, Dan + Shay, Wynonna Judd, and  LeAnn Rimes and Little Big Town. The group teamed up to pay tribute to 60 years of ACM Songs of the Year.

Country Music’s Party of the Year also included performances by 2024 ACM Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson, Blake Shelton, Sugarland, Clint Black, Wynonna Judd, Dan + Shay, LeAnn Rimes, Alan Jackson, Backstreet Boys, Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Chris Stapleton, Cody Johnson, Ella Langley, Eric Church, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini, Megan Moroney, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts, Shaboozey, and Zach Top. The star-studded list of presenters included Black, Judd, Shelton, Sugarland’s Kristian Bush, Carly Pearce, Crystal Gayle, ERNEST, Gabby Barrett, Gretchen Wilson, Jordan Davis, Lee Ann Womack, Lionel Richie, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Parker McCollum, Riley Green, Rita Wilson, Sara Evans and The Oak Ridge Boys, plus NASCAR driver Chase Elliott and podcast hosts Amber Anderson and Kelly Sutton. iHeartRadio’s Bobby Bones interviewed artists throughout the 60th ACM Awards. Check back with iHeartRadio for interviews, recaps of epic performances and other can’t-miss moments, stunning red carpet fashion, a live-updated list of winners and more.

Sixteen-time ACM winner McEntire returned to host the show for her 18th time, more than any other artist. The event took place again at the world headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys at The Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.