Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” took home awards for both Single of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2026 Academy of Country Music Awards, held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. This catchy song has become a massive crossover hit, and many expected it to win.
While Langley’s wins were anticipated, the results were surprising for others. The favorites for Group of the Year and Duo of the Year, The Red Clay Strays and Brooks & Dunn respectively, repeated their wins from the CMA Awards, but the prestigious Female Artist of the Year title went to Langley instead of Lainey Wilson, who had held it for four years straight.
Yet, what would an awards show be without its surprises? Shania Twain hosted this year’s ceremony, which was streamed live on Prime Video for its fifth year in a row.
Here are some notable snubs and surprises from the 2026 ACM Awards:
Surprise: Cody Johnson
Cody Johnson was widely expected to win Male Artist of the Year, but his win for Entertainer of the Year was unexpected. He faced strong competition from artists like Lainey Wilson and Chris Stapleton, both previous winners. Johnson’s only prior ACM Award came two years ago for Song of the Year with “Dirt Cheap.”
Snub: Megan Moroney
Despite receiving nine nominations—more than any other artist—Megan Moroney didn’t win a single award. Interestingly, she was away at a friend’s wedding, sharing her excitement on social media while celebrating life’s milestones. She previously won New Female Artist of the Year and will likely rebound in future nominations.
Snubs: Lainey Wilson, Chris Stapleton, Zach Top
Lainey Wilson went 0-7, Chris Stapleton 0-6, and Zach Top 0-5. With Ella Langley sweeping many categories, their chances dwindled. Stapleton is still chasing George Strait’s record of 19 ACM Awards, now needing to wait another year.
Surprise: Ella Langley and Riley Green
Langley and Riley Green snagged Music Event of the Year with “Don’t Mind If I Do,” continuing their winning streak. They’re the first duo to win this award back-to-back since Faith Hill and Tim McGraw in the late ’90s.
Surprise: Parker McCollum
Parker McCollum, nominated only once this year, surprised everyone by winning Album of the Year for his fifth studio album, underscoring his rising status in the country music scene.
Snub: Morgan Wallen
Despite his hugely successful album “I’m the Problem,” which dominated the Billboard 200 for 13 weeks, Wallen was overlooked for Album of the Year. This mirrors the struggle of iconic artists like Garth Brooks, who has only one ACM Award for Album of the Year despite a legendary career.
Snub: Kelsea Ballerini
Kelsea Ballerini, nominated for Female Artist of the Year for the ninth time, still hasn’t claimed the title. She joins Anne Murray as the only artists to go 0-9 in this category, but with her talent, her time may still come.
General Observations
The 2026 ACM Awards showcased both well-deserved victories and unexpected turns. With artists like Megan Moroney missing out despite a high nomination count, it’s a reminder that the music industry continues to be unpredictable. As fans take to social media to express their reactions, it’s clear that the excitement around these events only grows.
For more on the results of the ACM Awards and other industry news, check out trusted sources like Billboard.
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