On Wednesday, Nov. 18, three country stars will be waiting to hear the same name called.
Ella Langley, Lainey Wilson and Miranda Lambert are all up for Female Vocalist of the Year at the 60th CMA Awards. Five women made the list this year, and these three share a story that has nothing to do with trophies.
First, a quick introduction for anyone just tuning in. Ella Langley is the Alabama country singer having the year of her life. She has nine CMA nominations, more than anyone else, and that ties the record for a female artist. Apple Music’s editors put it simply: “This year, there was no bigger story than the runaway success of Ella Langley.”
Lainey Wilson is the country singer who’ll be busiest on the big night. She’s hosting the CMA Awards for the third year in a row. And Miranda Lambert, another country star, rounds out the trio of nominees in this story.
The show comes live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville at 7 PM Central on ABC, with streaming on Disney+ and on Hulu the next day. If you missed the day the nominees were revealed, this report from WKRN News 2 covers the big announcement.
The 60th CMA Award nominees are announced
Now for the part that has every mom smiling.
Last December, during National Finals Rodeo week in Las Vegas, there was a fashion show and brunch put on by Rodeo Quincy. Three of the women who walked that runway had a famous daughter in the room.
They were the moms.
Heather (Ella’s mom), Michelle (Lainey’s mom) and Bev (Miranda’s mom) took the runway together. All three wore matching Western-style black suits with big red roses embroidered on them. Designer Quincy Eldridge made the outfits.
Away from the runway, they reportedly lead very different lives. Michelle is said to be a former schoolteacher. Heather is reportedly a visual artist, and Bev is reportedly a private investigator.
And where were their famous daughters? Not on stage this time.
Ella, Lainey and Miranda “sat in the crowd and cheered” while their moms had the spotlight. For once, the singers were the ones clapping from the seats.
Think about every school play and dance recital where a mom sat in a folding chair, phone up, beaming. This was that, flipped around.
Ella shared a video of the walk on her Instagram story, and she didn’t pretend to be cool about it. “Did this video make me shed a tear? Yes it did.”
Heather is also the mom who told Ella, when she left Auburn for Nashville, “This is your college.”
So on Nov. 18, when the Female Vocalist category comes up, chances are three moms will be watching extra closely. Lainey will be on stage all night as host, and here’s how the CMA shared the news that she’s coming back.
Lainey Wilson returns as CMA Awards host
Only one name gets called that night.
But last December in Las Vegas, all the cheering went to three women in matching rose suits, with their daughters right there in the crowd.