“I think the reason that we are drawn to each other is because I see a lot of my young self in her.”
That’s Miranda Lambert talking about Ella Langley, in an interview with the Associated Press in October.
If you’re new to either name, here’s who they are. Miranda is the Texas-born country star who has won 14 CMA Awards, more than any other woman in history. Ella is a 27-year-old singer from Hope Hull, Alabama, and she’s had a record-breaking year.
Miranda clearly gets a kick out of her. “She’s definitely a pistol. She’s fiery. She knows exactly what she wants.”
The two of them have become a real team. Ella’s big hit “Choosin’ Texas” came out of a songwriting retreat in October 2024, and Miranda helped write it and helped produce it too. The song went on to break records. They also sing together on “Butterfly Season,” and Ella turns up on “Snakeskin Boots” from Miranda’s new album “Crisco,” which came out Oct 2.
They look right at home sharing a stage. In this performance from the ACM Awards, Ella joins Miranda on “Kerosene,” one of Miranda’s early hits, and it’s a chance to see mentor and student side by side.
Miranda and Ella sing “Kerosene” together at the ACM Awards
So what’s the nomination that isn’t about Miranda’s own voice?
It’s for Ella’s album “Dandelion,” which is up for Album of the Year at the CMA Awards. Miranda co-produced it. It’s the first time she has produced another artist’s album, so a piece of that nomination belongs to her for helping someone else shine.
The big night is close now. The 60th CMA Awards are 16 days away, on Wednesday, Nov 18, at 8 PM Eastern on ABC and Disney+, live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Hulu streams it the next day.
Lainey Wilson, the Louisiana singer of “Heart Like a Truck” and a star of “Yellowstone,” is hosting for the third year in a row. CMA boss Sarah Trahern told Billboard last week the show will celebrate the 1990s. “You can’t get hotter than the ’90s now in a lot of ways,” she said.
Ella goes into the night with nine nominations, the most of anyone. Miranda has six. This Entertainment Tonight report on the nominations shows just how big a year the newcomer is having.
Entertainment Tonight on Ella leading this year’s CMA nominations
Here’s the twist.
Mentor and student are going head to head. Both women are nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year, up against three other singers, one of them the host herself, Lainey Wilson.
It’s Miranda’s 19th nomination in that category. That’s more than any other woman ever, passing Reba McEntire, who held the record before her.
So on Nov 18, Miranda could lose to the young singer she took under her wing. Or Ella could lose to the woman who helped make her album. With three other strong singers in the race, it’s possible neither of them hears her name called.
If you want to hear how well their voices fit, play their duet from “Dandelion.” Listen closely and see if you can hear what Miranda meant about seeing her young self.
Ella and Miranda’s duet, “Butterfly Season”
Whoever wins that award, the album they made together is in the running too. We’ll find out on Nov 18.