Gulf Shores, Ala. — (GSN) — Ella Langley has officially taken the country music world by storm, leading the nominations for the upcoming 60th Annual Country Music Association (CMA) Awards with a staggering nine nominations. Scheduled to take place on November 18, 2026, at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena, this milestone ceremony is shaping up to be a historic night for the Alabama native. Langley's nine nominations tie the single-year record for a female artist, placing her alongside country legends like Merle Haggard, Miranda Lambert, and Lainey Wilson for the second-highest total in CMA history (only behind Alan Jackson’s ten nods in 2002).

Langley's dominance is evident across the ballot, where she is nominated for the night’s most prestigious honors, including Entertainer of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. Her highly acclaimed album Dandelion is up for Album of the Year, and her collaboration with Morgan Wallen, "I Can't Love You Anymore," is nominated for Musical Event of the Year. Additionally, she has earned a Music Video of the Year nomination for her chart-topping hit "Choosin' Texas". Remarkably, Langley finds herself competing against herself in two major categories, receiving dual nominations for both Single of the Year and Song of the Year for her massive hits "Be Her" and "Choosin' Texas". This immense recognition follows an unbelievable year where "Choosin' Texas" topped the Billboard Hot 100 all-genre chart for an astounding 21 weeks.

Deep Alabama Roots and Gulf Coast Connections

While Langley is currently ruling the national music charts, her journey began in her home state of Alabama. Born on May 3, 1999, in Hope Hull, Alabama, she grew up in a musically inclined family and began singing in local Baptist churches at the tender age of three. She was homeschooled for six years and later attended Auburn University to study forestry. However, her passion for music ultimately led her to drop out and relocate to Nashville in 2019, where she quickly integrated into the songwriting community and secured a publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing by 2021.

Langley also maintains strong, memorable connections to the Alabama Gulf Coast. Over the years, she has frequently brought her soulful country sound to coastal audiences, including playing at the legendary Flora-Bama. More recently, she made waves along the coast by performing as part of the star-studded "Sand in My Boots" festival in Gulf Shores in May 2025. Her rapid rise from playing local coastal venues to leading the CMA nominations is a testament to her unique talent and relentless work ethic. For more details on her chart-topping success, you can read the full feature on the Gulf Shores News Website.