Hope Hull native Ella Langley named ACM’s New Female Artist of the Year
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Ella Langley got her start playing music around small venues in Alabama’s River Region. And now, she’s gaining national attention as one of the best up-and-coming country music artists.
Last week, the Academy of Country Music announced Langley has been named its New Female Artist of the Year.
Langley is the most-nominated artist of this year’s awards but she still got a nice surprise when she heard the news during a show in Knoxville—through a message from former award winner Miranda Lambert.
Keep reading for details on this year’s ACM Awards + learn more about Langley’s Alabama background and her debut album.
ACM New Female Artist of the Year
The ACM’s New Female Artist of the Year is given to the new female artist who has gained initial fame or significantly greater recognition during the promotion of a debut or sophomore album within the eligibility period.
The award has picked out some of country music’s most popular artists over the last five decades including:
- Lainey Wilson (2022)
- Maren Morris (2017)
- Kelsea Ballerini (2016)
- Taylor Swift (2008)
- Miranda Lambert (2007)
- Carrie Underwood (2006)
- Shania Twain (1996)
- Faith Hill (1994)
- Olivia Newton-John (1974)
Langley is also nominated for female artist of the year and in four categories for “you look like you love me,” her breakthrough hit featuring fellow Alabama native Riley Green.
The 25-year-old is nominated as both artist and songwriter in the song of the year category and as both artist and director in visual media of the year.
Growing up in Alabama
Langley was born in Hope Hull and graduated from Hooper Academy. You can find several videos from her playing local venues around the Montgomery metro including one from her high school talent show in 2016.
The following year, she recorded her first song—Clear the Clouds—at Guest House Studios in Elmore County.
After high school, Langley briefly attended Auburn University, looking to major in forestry, but she eventually moved to Nashville to focus on her music career.
60th ACM Awards Show
Ella Langley will perform at next week’s 60th ACM Awards.
This year’s event will be hosted by 16-time ACM Award-winning entertainment icon Reba McEntire + it will stream live exclusively on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch. The show will air Thursday, May 8, at 7PM central time from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
Langley will join previously announced performers including:
- Alan Jackson
- Chris Stapleton
- Kelsea Ballerini
- Lainey Wilson
- Wynonna Judd
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