We all have to get our start somewhere.
Just like many other musicians, Ella Langley has always dreamed of having a career in music. The Alabama native has been chasing this dream since a young age, releasing her first songs at 18. Langley has often said that making music is the only job she’s ever wanted, and it’s all she’s done in her career, solidifying to fans that this is her destiny. Ahead of the CMA Awards, Langley joked that she’s “addicted to the road.”
“I literally am addicted to being on the road and playing shows. I’ve been on the roadmap every weekend since I was 18 years old, minus COVID. I’m obsessed with it.”
Which is a funny statement, but it is a good thing. It rings true because the touring life is not for everyone. It’s a lot of long nights, time away from loved ones, and it takes a toll on your body. However, Langley knew this was the life she wanted, and she has made her dreams come true.
While the “Choosin’ Texas” singer might be singing in front of sold-out crowds every night now, her music career started off like many others, singing for a room filled with just a few bodies. It’s always fun to hear how artists got into performing, whether it was Lainey Wilson, who was a Hannah Montana impersonator for years, or even just singing down at the local theater for a few people who stumbled in; everyone had to get on the stage somehow.
However, in Ella Langley’s case, her starting stage looked a little different than others…and in fact, she dealt with a pretty tough crowd in the early days of her singing career.
“I kind of say my first concert ever was for cows. Yeah, that’s where I got my start, I guess.”
Langley said during a conversation with Chase Sapphire Reserve.
“We live with a big pasture behind our house. I would steal my brother’s iPod, climb to the top of the barn, and just perform… When ‘moo’ sounds very close to ‘boo’, it toughens a girl up.”
HA. Hey… everyone’s got to get some performance experience somehow, right?
While I am sure a field full of “boo” sounding “moos” did get Langley to grow some tough skin, at least this audience couldn’t throw tomatoes at her if they didn’t like the performance.
The cows must not have given her too much childhood trauma because Langley purchased a home in her hometown of Hope Hull, Alabama, earlier this year. Langley shared with Katie Neal from Audacy’s Katie & Company that this was her first major purchase since blowing up, and that being close to her home and family always keeps her grounded.
“It just brings me back to who I am at the root of me every time I go back there. And when it comes to writing songs and being in that state of mind, I think it’s important to have a place like that.”
While Langley admitted that she will always have a residence in Tennessee, too, given that she’s only a short car drive from her home state, she feels it’s essential to keep some roots there as well.
“I think I’ll always have to live in Tennessee to some extent in my life, but being from Alabama, it’s so close. It’s under four hours to get there.”
Home is where the cows you sang to reside. Ella Langley has come a long way from those days, but she will never forget the c(r)ow(d) that gave her the confidence to sing in front of people.
Fire up Langley’s latest number one single while you’re here, “Choosin’ Texas.”
