Story perspectives

Ella Langley Rocks CMA Fest, “Choosin’ Texas” #1, ACM Nominee

6/6/2026

Summary

Ella Langley Shines

Ella Langley performed at CMA Fest 2026 on June 5 in Nashville’s Nissan Stadium, joining Gretchen Wilson for “Here for the Party.”
She performed the Dandelion title track, “You Look Like You Love Me” with Riley Green, and “Choosin’ Texas,” generating viral videos.
TouchTunes ranked “Choosin’ Texas” at #1 and three of her songs in the top 10, prompting Langley’s ACM Award nomination for the May 17 Prime Video ceremony.

Summary

Jelly Roll Surprises

Jelly Roll surprised fans with a set on June 5, 2026, during night one of CMA Fest, filling the slot between Tucker Wetmore and Ella Langley.
He performed “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” covered Avicii’s “Wake Me Up,” sang “Son of a Sinner,” spoke about his juvenile detention past, and announced his daughter Bailee’s high-school graduation and upcoming college.
ABC will broadcast a three-hour concert special of the festival on June 25, 2026.

Summary

Spotify Country Hub

Spotify turned Ole Red into a three-day country hub during CMA Fest.
On June 4, Jelly Roll covered Miley Cyrus’s Grammy-winning “Flowers,” which topped the Hot 100, Adult Contemporary and Pop Airplay charts after its Jan 13 release.
The cover was blended into a medley with Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama,” Nickelback’s “How You Remind Me,” and 2Pac & Dr. Dre’s “California Love.”
The June 4-6 Spotify House lineup added Ashley McBryde, Cody Johnson, Corey Kent, Old Dominion and The Band Perry.

Summary

Kaylee Bell Duet

Kaylee Bell’s CMA Fest set nearly turned into a duet when Jelly Roll rushed from his hotel to the stage.
Bell thanked Jelly Roll on Instagram for the CMA Fest appearance.
In May, Bell opened Christchurch’s new One NZ Stadium before 37,000, debuting her songs “Me For Me” and “Once In A Lifetime.”
A live music video for “Once In A Lifetime” is slated for release in the coming weeks.

History

Historical Context

Founded in 1958 to promote country music, the Country Music Association launched Fan Fair in Nashville’s Centennial Park in 1972, drawing about 30,000 fans and a $150,000 WSM sponsorship that set a revenue model. The event evolved into the multi-day, multi-platform CMA Fest, and in 2026 Ella Langley, Jelly Roll and Kaylee Bell headline a live broadcast on ABC and Spotify, reflecting the shift toward digital rights deals.

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Ella Langley Shines

Ella Langley performed at CMA Fest 2026 on June 5 in Nashville’s Nissan Stadium, joining Gretchen Wilson for “Here for the Party.”
She performed the Dandelion title track, “You Look Like You Love Me” with Riley Green, and “Choosin’ Texas,” generating viral videos.
TouchTunes ranked “Choosin’ Texas” at #1 and three of her songs in the top 10, prompting Langley’s ACM Award nomination for the May 17 Prime Video ceremony.

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