Las Vegas handed out its biggest night in country music Sunday, and two artists walked away as the undeniable stories of the evening.
Ella Langley made history at the 61st Academy of Country Music Awards, becoming the first artist to sweep every single nomination in a single year at the ceremony, taking home all seven trophies she was up for. Her wins spanned Female Artist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Artist-Songwriter of the Year, and both Song of the Year and Single of the Year for her smash “Choosin’ Texas” (the ACMs award songwriting and recording contributions separately, hence the double win). She also claimed Music Event of the Year for her featured spot on Riley Green‘s “Don’t Mind If I Do.”
Her seven wins surpassed the old record of six, previously shared by Garth Brooks (1991), Faith Hill (1999), and Chris Stapleton (2016). And notably, her album Dandelion missed the eligibility window entirely, making her 2027 frontrunner status all but inevitable.
“I’m just so thankful that Ella trusted me with her art,” said Miranda Lambert onstage, who co-wrote and co-produced Dandelion. “Thank y’all for loving a country song.”
The night’s top honor, however, went to Cody Johnson, who took home Entertainer of the Year for the first time in his career, along with Male Vocalist of the Year. In his acceptance speech, Johnson delivered a line for the ages: “Music is the greatest drug that has ever been introduced on the planet earth.”
Shania Twain hosted the evening, which streamed live on Prime Video from the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
