Country music’s elite gathered at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday night for the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards. Hosted by Shania Twain, the event celebrated the genre’s top artists, memorable performances, and heartfelt tributes. However, breakout star Ella Langley emerged as the evening’s standout, overshadowing many of her peers.
Langley swept all seven categories in which she was nominated, marking her as one of the night’s biggest winners. She earned Female Artist of the Year and took home major accolades for her hit single “Choosin’ Texas,” which won both Song of the Year and Single of the Year. The Academy distinguishes between songwriting and recording achievements, allowing Langley to receive multiple awards related to the same track.
In her acceptance speech for Female Artist of the Year, Langley expressed deep gratitude to the women who have supported her career. She praised fellow nominees Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, and Kelsea Ballerini, and specifically acknowledged Lambert for co-writing and co-producing parts of her work, crediting her belief in Langley’s artistry.
Meanwhile, Cody Johnson secured the ceremony’s most prestigious honor, Entertainer of the Year, beating out nominees such as Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton, Morgan Wallen, and Lainey Wilson. Johnson also won Male Artist of the Year, further cementing his success at the event.
Other notable winners included Parker McCollum, who took Album of the Year for his self-titled release, and Brooks & Dunn, who continued their legacy by winning Duo of the Year.
The night featured performances from several country stars, including Langley, Johnson, Miranda Lambert, and Kacey Musgraves, who performed “Dry Spell” from her latest album, Middle of Nowhere.
In a significant moment, the ceremony paid tribute to late music executive Ben Vaughn, who passed away in January 2025. Before Dan + Shay’s performance of “Say So,” singer Lauren Alaina delivered a poignant message on mental health awareness, encouraging those struggling to seek help.
The event concluded on a nostalgic note as Blake Shelton led the audience in a singalong of Kenny Rogers’s classic “The Gambler,” honoring legendary songwriter Don Schlitz, who died last month.
Key winners at the ACM Awards 2026 included:
- Entertainer of the Year: Cody Johnson
- Female Artist of the Year: Ella Langley
- Male Artist of the Year: Cody Johnson
- Album of the Year: Parker McCollum, Parker McCollum
- Duo of the Year: Brooks & Dunn
- Music Event of the Year: “Don’t Mind if I Do,” Riley Green featuring Ella Langley
- Song of the Year: “Choosin’ Texas,” Ella Langley
