Very well-deserved. Last night, Ella Langley was surprised with the news that she won the ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year ahead of her sold-out show in Savannah, Georgia as part of her The Dandelion Tour. She beat out a stacked group in Luke Combs, Riley Green, Megan Moroney and Morgan Wallen who were all nominated in that category as well. The Alabama native has absolutely skyrocketed to the top of country music over the last year or so, and more specifically, since late last year when she released her smash hit single “Choosin’ Texas,” which was included on her recent hit sophomore album Dandelion. She is one of the most-nominated acts this year, receiving seven nominations this year, including Female Artist of the Year, Single of the Year and Song of the Year for “Choosin’ Texas,” and Music Event of the Year for “Don’t Mind if I Do” with Riley Green. Honestly, the award could have gone to anyone in that category and it would have been very much deserved, but Ella’s career is skyrocketing right now and she’s managed to crossover very successfully into the mainstream world too, which is no easy feat whatsoever. She shared the news on Instagram, saying she feels “incredibly grateful” and is a “lucky gal”: “Feeling incredibly grateful. Two sold out shows & ACM Artist-Songwriter of the Year?! Thank you Estero, Savannah & the ACM Awards. I’m a lucky gal.” The ACM Awards will air live tomorrow on Prime Video from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas at 5:00 PM Pacific / 8:00 PM Eastern, and the show will be hosted by Shania Twain. View this post on Instagram The full list of nominees are below. 2026 ACM Awards Nominees Entertainer of the Year Luke Combs Jelly Roll Cody Johnson Megan Moroney Chris Stapleton Morgan Wallen Lainey Wilson Female Artist of the Year Kelsea Ballerini Miranda Lambert Ella Langley Megan Moroney Lainey Wilson Male Artist of the Year Luke Combs Riley Green Cody Johnson Chris Stapleton Zach Top Group of the Year 49 Winchester Flatland Cavalry Old Dominion Rascal Flatts The Red Clay Strays Duo of the Year Brooks & Dunn Brothers Osborne Dan + Shay Muscadine Bloodline Thelma & James Album of the Year [Awarded to artist(s)/producer(s)/record Company–label(s)] Ain’t In It For My Health – Zach Top; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Record Company-Label: Leo33 Cherry Valley – Carter Faith; Producer: Tofer Brown; Record Company-Label: Gatsby Records / MCA Don’t Mind If I Do (Deluxe) – Riley Green; Producers: Dann Huff, Michael Knox; Record Company-Label: Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment I’m The Problem – Morgan Wallen; Producers: Joey Moi, Charlie Handsome, Jacob Durrett; Record Company-Label: Big Loud Records Parker McCollum – Parker McCollum; Producers: Frank Liddell, Eric Masse; Record Company-Label: MCA Song of the Year “A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton; Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Miranda Lambert, Jenee Fleenor, Jesse Frasure “Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney; Songwriters: Megan Moroney, Luke Laird, Jessie Jo Dillon “Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley; Songwriters: Ella Langley, Luke Dick, Miranda Lambert, Joybeth Taylor “I Never Lie” – Zach Top; Songwriters: Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols “Somewhere Over Laredo – Lainey Wilson; Songwriters: Lainey Wilson, Trannie Anderson, Dallas Wilson, Andy Albert, Harold Arlen & Yip Harburg Single of the Year “6 Months Later” – Megan Moroney “Choosin’ Texas” – Ella Langley “I Never Lie” – Zach Top “Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson “The Fall” – Cody Johnson Visual Media of the Year “6 Months Later” – Megan Moroney “A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton “Cuckoo” -Stephen Wilson, Jr. “Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson “The Fall” – Cody Johnson Music Event of the Year “A Song To Sing” – Miranda Lambert & Chris Stapleton “Amen” – Shaboozey & Jelly Roll “Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green feat. Ella Langley “Trailblazer” – Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson “You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney Songwriter of the Year Jessie Jo Dillon Ashley Gorley Charlie Handsome Chase McGill Blake Pendergrass Artist-Songwriter of the Year Luke Combs Riley Green Ella Langley Megan Moroney Morgan Wallen New Male Artist of the Year Gavin Adcock Vincent Mason Shaboozey Tucker Wetmore- won Hudson Westbrook New Female Artist of the Year Mackenzie Carpenter Avery Anna-won Dasha Caroline Jones Emily Ann RobertsThe post Ella Langley Takes Home First 2026 ACM Award For Artist-Songwriter Of The Year first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

He’s a Vol for Life. Last night, Morgan Wallen headlined Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida, where he did his famous walkout with legendary quarterback Tim Tebow. Of course, Morgan is a diehard Tennessee Volunteers fan, and when Tebow tried to get him to do the Gator Chomp with him a they walked through the tunnel, Morgan wasn’t having it. The two teams are longtime SEC foes, so it’s no surprise that Morgan wasn’t joining in… And when Tebow gestured to him to do it, Morgan made sure the crowd knew that wasn’t going to happen: Tebow Time. Legendary Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow walks out with Morgan Wallen for night 1 at the Swamp.pic.twitter.com/scLaeFmYZ0 — Whiskey Riff (@WhiskeyRiff) May 16, 2026 Hey, he’s a real fan, he clearly bleeds orange and white, ad while I personally find that to be a very tacky color, I can respect that Morgan’s colors don’t run… Another interesting part of his Florida shows (there’s another one tonight) is that they will both feature live audio description for a blind attendee, which according to WFTV, marks the first time live audio description will take place at this particular stadium for a concert. This accommodation is also “believed to be among the first of its kind for a major stadium touring show in the United States.” Highlighted by New Vision for Independence, the Audio Description Initiative, which is a nonprofit organization, will providing the live narration. Professional audio describer Stasha Boyd, who works with ADI, will provide the live narration during the concert, and she will describe visual elements, including stage movement, lighting, and crowd interaction, so fans who can’t see will still have the full understanding of what’s going on throughout the entire show. It’s very common at huge shows for artists to occasionally have people who do sign language for deaf attendees, you see it at the Super Bowl and other events like that, but this is just as important, and New Vision for Independence CEO Chantel Buck says this is the first step towards “raising the bar for what accessibility should look like everywhere”: “This isn’t just about one concert—it’s about raising the bar for what accessibility should look like everywhere. People who are blind deserve full, meaningful experiences in every part of life, including live entertainment. When we expect more and advocate boldly, we don’t just remove barriers—we change what’s possible.” Music is for everyone, and it’s really cool that Morgan will incorporate this new technology into his live shows so that everyone can enjoy his concerts. Most of us are lucky enough to probably never even think about thinks like this when we got to a live show, but every person deserves to have the full live concert experience, it’s life-changing in my humble opinion, and I love that Morgan is one of the first to use this at one of his concerts, and hopefully, more artists will do the same going forward. It will feature live audio description for a blind attendee, which according to WFTV, marks the first time live audio description will take place at this particular stadium for a concert. This accommodation is also “believed to be among the first of its kind for a major stadium touring show in the United States.” Highlighted by New Vision for Independence, the Audio Description Initiative, which is a nonprofit organization, will providing the live narration. Professional audio describer Stasha Boyd, who works with ADI, will provide the live narration during the concert, and she will describe visual elements, including stage movement, lighting, and crowd interaction, so fans who can’t see will still have the full understanding of what’s going on throughout the entire show. It’s very common at huge shows for artists to occasionally have people who do sign language for deaf attendees, you see it at the Super Bowl and other events like that, but this is just as important, and New Vision for Independence CEO Chantel Buck says this is the first step towards “raising the bar for what accessibility should look like everywhere”: “This isn’t just about one concert—it’s about raising the bar for what accessibility should look like everywhere. People who are blind deserve full, meaningful experiences in every part of life, including live entertainment. When we expect more and advocate boldly, we don’t just remove barriers—we change what’s possible.” Music is for everyone, and it’s really cool that Morgan will incorporate this new technology into his live shows so that everyone can enjoy his concerts. Most of us are lucky enough to probably never even think about thinks like this when we got to a live show, but every person deserves to have the full live concert experience, it’s life-changing in my humble opinion, and I love that Morgan is one of the first to use this at one of his concerts, and hopefully, more artists will do the same going forward. ‘Still The Problem’ Tour Dates May 15 || Gainesville, Fla. || Ben Hill Griffin Stadium w/ Thomas Rhett, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King May 16 || Gainesville, Fla. || Ben Hill Griffin Stadium w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King May 29 || Denver, Colo. || Empower Field at Mile High w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Vincent Mason May 30 || Denver, Colo. || Empower Field at Mile High w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Vincent Mason June 5 || Pittsburgh, Penn. || Acrisure Stadium w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King June 6 || Pittsburgh, Penn. || Acrisure Stadium w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King June 19 || Chicago, Ill. || Soldier Field w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King June 20 || Chicago, Ill. || Soldier Field w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Zach John King June 26 || Clemson, SC. || Clemson Memorial Stadium w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Jason Scott & The High Heat June 27 || Clemson, SC. || Clemson Memorial Stadium w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Jason Scott & The High Heat July 17 || Baltimore, Md. || M&T Bank Stadium w/ Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Jason Scott & The High Heat July 18 || Baltimore, Md. || M&T Bank Stadium w/ Ella Langley, Gavin Adcock, Jason Scott & The High Heat July 24 || Ann Arbor, Mich. || Michigan Stadium w/ Thomas Rhett, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten July 25 || Ann Arbor, Mich. || Michigan Stadium w/ HARDY, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten July 31 || Philadelphia, Penn. || Lincoln Financial Field w/ ​​Brooks & Dunn, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten August 1 || Philadelphia, Penn. || Lincoln Financial Field w/ Ella Langley, Hudson Westbrook, Blake WhitenThe post Morgan Wallen Refuses To Do “Gator Chomp” With Tim Tebow As They Walk Out For Night One Of Gainesville Show first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

If you’ve never seen the West Virginia native perform, Charles Wesley Godwin puts on an high-energy show… and sometimes that spells trouble when he plays out in the heat. CWG announced earlier today that his fourth studio album, Christian Name, is set to come out on July 24. It’ll be his follow up to the stellar Family Ties project that he released in 2023, and will add to his already impressive catalogue that got started with Seneca in 2019 and How the Mighty Fall in 2021. With the new album on the way, Godwin will likely be doing some more media appearances to help promote his new music. He recently joined Katie & Company, and while he did touch on his forthcoming album, one story that he told at the very beginning of the interview was quite interesting. Charles Wesley Godwin and the host of the podcast apparently last crossed paths at the Windy City Smokeout, which is a country music and barbecue festival that takes place every year in Chicago, Illinois. When the pair got to talking about last year’s show, all the country singer remembered about the event was how unbearably hot it was: “That was a hot day. I’ll always remember that as a very, very hot day. There were bodies that would just get passed up, and slowly be brought up by security. They’d take them over to a tent and put ice water on their neck and stuff to try and revive them. I almost went down.” Granted, it is Chicago in the middle of July. That’s about as hot and humid as it gets in the Windy City. Godwin went on to describe the site of the festival as out on the asphalt with not much shade at all (not exactly a glowing review). And he shared that, while he stood up on stage and watched a number of fans pass out from the heat, he was very close to joining them, and had to hang onto the mic stand at one point to stabilize himself: “I remember holding onto the mic stand… there’s been two instances where this has happened. The Windy City Smokeout and I did a festival in Austin, Texas, two years ago that was in July at the F1 track. It was same type of weather. I almost went down (and got to the point) where my vision went narrow.  I sweat a lot when I’m performing, and put a lot of energy into it. It’s a really physical thing. At the Windy City Smokeout last year, I think there was a point where I grabbed onto the mic stand just to make sure I knew what was up as my vision started to narrow.” Some scary stuff. If you’ve seen a Charles Wesley Godwin show, it makes sense. He’s often jumping around and swinging his head as he feeds off the energy of the crowd. It makes for one heck of a show… but maybe a show that is best suited indoors. At the very least, it sounds like CWG has to be careful playing future, summertime festivals. You can hear him talk more about his close calls in the interview below: Katie & Company – Charles Wesley Godwin The post Charles Wesley Godwin Details The 2 Times He Nearly Passed Out On Stage: “My Vision Went Narrow” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

He is indeed the Real Damn Deal. Braxton Keith’s debut album is here. The Texan began turning heads in 2024 with the viral single “Cozy.” That got fans to pay attention to Keith, and since then, he’s been a music-making machine, turning out heaters. Last year, he gifted fans with numerous singles like “Wind Blows,” “Baby You Do,” “Bye In Goodbye,” and his collaboration with fellow Texas honky tonker Randall King for “Cheatin’ On My Honky Tonk.” Keith also gifted fans with two additional songs during the fall, the heartbreaker “Prescription” and a stellar cover of George Strait’s “The Chair.” After solidifying that he was a real-deal country artist, Keith committed to gifting fans with his first full-length LP, announcing Real Damn Real. Real Damn Deal not only talks the talk with a title like that, but it walks the walk as Keith has been giving fans classic country flavors, emphasizing the beloved sound of the ’90s since breaking onto the scene. And although Keith’s music might follow some of that cocky flair as the title… I mean, let’s also give it to the kid that it takes some guts to cover The King’s “The Chair,” he admitted that he was worried the record’s name might be a little too in your face. “I shot down the idea of this album title when it was first brought up. It felt cocky, and that’s not who I am.” But after sitting with it for a second, and realizing how country music is having a mainstream moment, he decided to lean into that bold name and let it rip. “But, everyone is in on country music right now, so why not use it as a big flashing reminder that country music is cool? This album is my way of taking country music back to what it was…the real damn deal.” View this post on Instagram But the question is, does Braxon Keith’s debut record live up to its title? Yes. Yes, it does. Produced by Alex Torrez and David Dorn, the tracklist of 15 songs, which Keith co-wrote 10 of, features honky-tonk anthems, timeless storytelling, lonesome croons, and a whole lotta twang. Opening the tracklist with the title single, Keith comes out of the gate hot with this barn burner. But that tone quickly shifts to a slower, timeless pace, with tracks like “Mrs. Green,” “I Dreamed You Dreamed Of Me,” and “Hurt By Heart” featuring Mae Estes. The tracklist shows the duality of Keith’s sound and vocal prowess, picking up the pace again in the second half of the record with more honky tonk heaters like “Little Bit By Little Bit,” and his previously released fan-favorite “I Own This Bar.” Keith closes out the record with “Baby You Do,” a classic country ballad in which the narrator ponders whether he will ever fully move on from a former lover. The back-and-forth is taking a toll on his heart, and he’s wondering how this woman still has the ability to break his heart into two over and over again. “Shouldn’t be killin’ my buzzShouldn’t be stuck in my brainMakin’ every night hurt like you left yesterdayI’m startin’ to think there ain’t no gettin’ over you‘Cause you shouldn’t still be breakin’ my heart in twoBut baby, you do…” Braxton Keith will be one of the next big names in this new wave of traditional country music, and Real Damn Deal proves that he’s on that path. His timeless storytelling, classic country melodies, and witty lyrics have the edge that sets him apart from other neotraditional artists. Braxton Keith is the Real Damn Deal. Fire up some of my early favorites before you go: “Hurt By Heart (with Mae Estes)”  “I Dreamed You Dreamed Of Me” “Baby You Do” REAL DAMN DEAL TOUR 7/25 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore 7/26 – Richmond, VA – The National 7/31 – Columbus, OH – The Bluestone 8/13 – Wichita, KS – The Cotillion Ballroom 8/22 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion 8/29 – Fort Wayne, IN – The Clyde Theatre 9/3 – Buffalo, NY – Electric City 9/11 – Nashville, TN – Brooklyn Bowl 9/25 – Round Rock, TX – Round Rock Amp 9/26 – Pasadena, TX – Pasadena Rodeo 10/2 – Waco, TX – Foster Pavilion 10/3 – Midland, TX – Momentum Bank BallparkThe post Braxton Keith Proves He Can Walk The Walk On Impressive Debut Record, ‘Real Damn Deal’ first appeared on Whiskey Riff.

“Earl walked so Carl could die… I mean run.” There is nothing that butters my biscuit quite like a good murder ballad to kick off the weekend, and Willow Avalon nailed that perfectly with her brand new single “Hypothetically Speaking” featuring Kaitlin Butts. View this post on Instagram “Hypothetically Speaking” comes off the heels of her sophomore record announcement, Pink Pocket Pistol, and the release of her stunning duet with Jason Isbell, “Cardinal Sin.” Willow Avalon was one of those female stars in the making who turned heads last year with the release of her impressive debut record Southern Belle Raisin’ Hell. Sounding somewhere between Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn with a modern edge, Southern Belle Raisin’ Hell received incredibly high praise and was named as one of our top country albums of 2025 here at Whiskey Riff. Because of how well-received her debut project was, fans were thrilled that she got back in the studio quickly to record Pink Pocket Pistol, and she even teased the possibility of two records coming out this year. While she’s yet to announce one… It is just May, so there is plenty of time… According to Avalon, the formation of this project was very organic, as it was cut in just a week. Building off the momentum she laid down with Southern Belle Raisin’ Hell, Avalon reveals to fans that the wit and charm they know and love about her is going nowhere on this LP, but they can also expect an eerie and mysterious vibe at parts. “Pink Pocket Pistol is a mix of the lyricism and sassy storylines I’ve continuously written, with more darkness, mystery and a ‘60s country feel. I went in with an idea in my head, and we walked out a week later with it fully executed. Every single person in the room was on the exact same page. It felt wonderful hearing the record out of speakers—after really, intensive, hard work—exactly what I heard in my head.” Avalon added in the social media caption announcing the record: “This record is the beautiful and sweet fruit of years of heartache, revenge plots and a little pinch of everlasting love. I’ve never been more in love with something I’ve created and this record process was one of the most special and fulfilling experiences I’ve ever been a part of. Thank you to everyone who played on this record. Thank you to my band, my team and all the people who recorded it. Thank you to RCA for having us. I love this record soo much, I can’t wait for y’all to hear it.” View this post on Instagram Avalon leaned into that darkness she touched on with “Cardinal Sin,” falling for someone outside of her marriage. And with this new release, “Hypothetically Speaking” leans into that darkness in a comedically sinister way. “Hypothetically Speaking” is the modern-day “Goodbye Earl,” as Avalon and Kaitlin Butts run through the possibilities of how to dispose of a body… hypothetically speaking, of course. Penned alongside Konrad Snyder, Kaitlin Butts, Max Thomas and Jacob Kasher Hindlin, the plotline takes place between Avalon and Butts having a phone call. Butts, who stars as LeAnne, is married to a bad man named Carl, and after being yelled at while cooking for him, Butts loses it and bashes his head in with a cast-iron skillet. Butts shares that Avalon is the first person she thought to call, and Avalon takes no time to run through how to hide a body and get away with the murder, once again… “hypothetically speaking.” Sonically, the tune follows the same talking-style lyrics as “You Look Like You Love Me,” with the moan of a steel guitar in the background, creating an old western soap-opera feel. Personally, I think Wanda and Mary Anne would greatly approve of “Hypothetically Speaking.” This new cheeky tune, alongside “Easy On The Eyes” and “Cardinal Sin,” is a stellar preview of the duality of seriousness and wit that we will see from Avalon on Pink Pocket Pistol. June 26 can’t get here soon enough. Check out the music video before you go. It brings the lyrics to life flawlessly. WILLOW AVALON TOUR DATES May 27—Nashville, TN—Nashville Municipal Auditorium* June 4—Nashville, TN—CMA Festival June 7—Lexington, KY—Railbird Festival June 20—Boyne, City, MI—Lavender Hill Farm June 28—Aztec, NM—Tico Time Country Fest July 18—Beech Mountain, NC—Party On The Mountain July 23—Cheyenne, WY—The Lincoln Cheyenne July 25—Three Forks, MT—Headwaters Country Jam July 26—Calgary, AB—Commonwealth July 28—Vancouver, BC—Commodore July 29—Seattle, WA—Showbox July 30—Portland, OR—Wonder Ballroom August 1—Camino, CA—Folk on The Farm August 2—San Francisco, CA—August Hall August 4—Los Angeles, CA—The Fonda August 5—San Diego, CA—House of Blues August 6—Phoenix, AZ—Crescent Ballroom August 8—Salt Lake City, UT—The Grand August 9—Denver, CO—Gothic Theatre August 11—Omaha, NE—Waiting Room August 12—Minneapolis, MN—Fine Line August 13—Kansas City, MO—The Truman August 15—Oklahoma City, OK—Beer City Music Hall August 16—Houston, TX—The Heights Theater August 18—Austin, TX—Scoot Inn August 19—Dallas, TX—Granada Theatre September 8—Atlanta, GA—Terminal West September 9—Carrboro, NC—Cat’s Cradle September 11—Richmond, VA—The Broadberry September 12—Washington, D.C.—9:30 Club September 14—Pittsburgh, PA—Thunderbird Music Hall September 16—Toronto, ON—Phoenix Theatre September 17—Montreal, QC—Beanfield Theatre September 18—Boston, MA—Royale September 20—New York, NY—Webster Hall September 22— Philadelphia, PA—The Foundry September 24—Clarkston, MI—Pine Knob Music Center† September 25—Grand Rapids, MI—Acrisure Amphitheatre† September 26—Green Bay, WI—Resch Center† October 6— Charlotte, NC—Amos’ Southend October 7—Charleston, SC—Music Farm October 9—Sanford, FL—Tuffy’s Music Box October 10—St. Petersburg, FL—Jannus Live October 12—Jackson, MS—Duling Hall October 13—Fayetteville, AR—George’s Majestic Lounge October 14—St. Louis, MO—Delmar Hall October 16—Rosemont, IL—Joe’s Live October 17—Cleveland, OH—Roxy at Mahall’s October 18—Indianapolis, IN—Hi-Fi Annex October 20—Louisville, KY—Mercury Ballroom October 22—Knoxville, TN—Bijou Theatre October 25—Columbus, OH—King of Clubs *supporting Marcus King †supporting Brooks & DunnThe post Willow Avalon & Kaitlin Butts Just Dropped A Modern-Day “Goodbye Earl” Duet, “Hypothetically Speaking” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.