May 17 (UPI) — Ella Langley’s Choosin’ Texas won song and single of the year and the Red Clay Strays nabbed Group and the Year at the 61st annual Academy of Country Music Awards Sunday in Las Vegas.
They were among the early winner at this year’s awards, being held the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Choosin’ Texas, which tells the story of a woman watching her man get swept away by a Texas girl, was co-written by Langley, Joybeth Taylor, Luke Dick and fellow star performer Miranda Lambert, who herself was nominated in eight categories, including Female Artist of the Year.
“I’m just so thankful Ella has entrusted me with her art,” Lambert said while accepting the award. “Thank y’all for loving a country song!”
With Shania Twain hosting the ACM Awards for the first time, expectations for a top-notch ceremony were high, as was the anticipation for a performance roster filled with the likes of Langley, the Strays, Kacey Musgraves and Lainey Wilson.
The star power was further reinforced with a list of award presenters including Keith Urban, Shaboozey, Ashley McBryde and other stars.
Before the show even began in earnest, two award winners were announced: New female artist of the year went to Avery Anna while Tucker Wetmore nabbed new male artist of the year.
The evening started with a bang as Wilson opened the proceedings with a rousing version of her new song Can’t Sit Still while dressed in a black-and-silver ensemble and backed by a bevy of dancers.
Lambert, the most decorated artist in ACM Awards history, followed with her song Crisco which she performed beneath a rhinestone disco saddle suspended from the ceiling.
Thomas Rhett and Jordan Davis followed with their No. 1 collaboration Ain’t a Bad Life in front of a forest backdrop commemorating the song’s origin during the two friends’ hunting trip.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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