Scott Olson \/ Jason Kempin, Getty Images<\/span><\/p> At the time, he named George Strait<\/a> as an essential foundation of country music, while also highlighting Morgan Wallen as a current-era standout. He also pointed to Shania Twain<\/a> as one of the genre\u2019s defining crossover forces.<\/p>\n Read More:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Who Are Ella Langley\u2019s Parents, Grandparents + Siblings?<\/a><\/p>\n But when it came to newer names, Brown specifically singled out Ella Langley as someone rapidly rising through the ranks.<\/p>\n \u201cSee, I would put Ella up there right now because she\u2019s killing it, but it\u2019s too early,\u201d he told Hard Rock Bet<\/a>.<\/p>\n Langley\u2019s momentum has only grown since then.<\/p>\n At the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards<\/em><\/a>, she made history by winning seven awards in a single night, breaking the previous record of six held by Garth Brooks<\/a>, Faith Hill<\/a>, and Chris Stapleton<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read More:\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>Ella Langley on Country Music\u2019s Future: \u2018Women Are About to Take Over\u2019 [INTERVIEW]<\/a><\/p>\n Her wins included Female Artist of the Year, Artist-Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year for \u201cChoosin\u2019 Texas,\u201d and Single of the Year for the same track \u2014 with recognition split between songwriting and performance categories.<\/p>\n Between record-breaking award nights and streaming dominance, both Morgan Wallen and Ella Langley continue to define the current moment in country music \u2014 exactly the space Brown says is driving the genre forward right now.<\/p>\n And if his comments are any indication<\/a>, he sees himself right in the middle of that conversation, too<\/p>\n 2026 is the year of Ella Langley, and she looked every bit the country music superstar as she strolled the ACM Awards red carpet in a ravishing white gown and a statement necklace that paid homage to her ‘Dandelion’ album. Keep scrolling to see all the best photos!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Gallery Credit: Carena Liptak<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nElla Langley\u2019s Record-Breaking Moment<\/h3>\n
A Changing of the Guard<\/h3>\n
Ella Langley Was Ethereal on the 2026 ACM Awards Red Carpet \u2014 See Photos!<\/h2>\n