Lainey Wilson Knew Ella Langley Was “Pretty Special” Before She Even Heard Her Sing

Ella Langley is getting recognized once again.

It’s CMA week, and while country music fans flock to Nashville to see all of their favorite artists in one place, the week is also used to do some industry business. Given that so many country stars are in Nashville during the week, it’s the perfect time to recognize some artists for their hard work outside the awards show.

Billboard held its Country Power Players awards and Ella Langley was honored with the Rising Star Award, continuing her stellar year filled with many honors. Before giving her the award, a fellow female powerhouse, Lainey Wilson, said some kind words about the Alabama native and how she deserved this honor.

“Ella Langley, my sister. I don’t even know where she’s at right now. My redneck sister, that’s what I like to call her.”

Wilson, who also said glowing words about Langley ahead of the ACM Awards, shared that as soon as she met Langley, she knew they’d be friends. Wilson shared that she was one of the few people who never looked at her funny for her accent, and that moment indicated they were cut from a similar cloth and raised in a true country family.

Outside of instantly clicking with Langley because of her personality, she also knew that her talent was something special from their first interaction.

“As soon as I met her, I knew she was different. She had this spark and this go-getter attitude that I was drawn to, and the kind of attitude that it takes to anybody in the business to do it. Before I even heard her sing, I knew she was pretty special.

She’s the kind that just jumps in head first and gives it 190%. It don’t matter what it is. If that means her show, her songwriting, she’s in it. And I like people like that. There’s no doubt that she’s already made her mark in this industry and she ain’t going anywhere. She’s got the guts and the grit to be here for as long as she wants to be.” 

Wilson then says that Langley has become a dear friend to her, and they’ve made some memories that they can’t talk about out on Wilson’s land. I am sure these two are a hoot and a half when they get together, and I can only imagine the kind of stories that Wilson is referring to in this speech.

Wilson then shares that outside of being a friend, she’s also tried to be a mentor too:

“I’m proud of Ella for not just being the trailblazing artist she is, but for the heart that she has to go with it. She is a rising star today, but I truly believe Ella Langley will be a rising star generations from now.”

Langley then gets up to accept her award and notes that she gets nervous before speaking. She takes a second for herself before saying a few words to the audience about how much it means to receive the Rising Star Award.

“My life has literally been insane the past six months. Six to seven months. It’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do, it’s the only thing I’ve tried to do, it’s the only job I’ve ever had. 

I think this was called the Rookie Award at some point, so I kind of wrote something in my head towards that. There have been a lot of times in my life where I’ve felt like a rookie.” 

Langley then lists off a few moments in her career where she felt like a rookie, like recording her first record, upgrading to a van to travel to shows, and later this CMA week, she said she will feel like a rookie performing in Nissan Stadium for the first time.

“But man, I’m so grateful for that girl and that woman that showed up, and kept showing up because it brought me here today. So I’m grateful for that.” 

Ella Langley has kept her nose to the grindstone, and that persistence is paying off in a big way. We’ve been fans of Langley since day one here at Whiskey Riff, and we know she will continue reaching new heights in her career.

This is just the beginning for the doors she will kick down. Well deserved, Miss Langley.

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