AceShowbiz - Ella Langley is poised to make history at the upcoming Academy of Country Music Awards on May 17 by potentially becoming only the fifth artist ever to win back-to-back Single of the Year honors. After securing the award last year for her sultry collaboration with Riley Green, "you look like you love me," she is once again nominated for her crossover hit "Choosin' Texas."

While awards season can be unpredictable, Langley stands out as a strong favorite. Her song "Choosin' Texas" has resonated with a wide audience, spending an impressive 19 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart and five nonconsecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. This kind of chart dominance signals broad appeal and commercial success, factors that often influence ACM voters.

The other nominees in the Single of the Year category include Megan Moroney with "6 Months Later," Zach Top for "I Never Lie," Lainey Wilson with "Somewhere Over Laredo," and Cody Johnson for "The Fall." Interestingly, none of these artists have previously won the ACM Single of the Year award – though Wilson earned a nomination in 2023 for "Heart Like a Truck," and Johnson has been nominated twice before for "Til You Can't" (2023) and "Dirt Cheap" (2025).

Among this year's nominees, Langley is the sole artist with a prior win in the category. However, two producers involved in the nominated tracks bring past Single of the Year victories from their artist careers. Miranda Lambert, who co-produced Langley’s record alongside Langley herself and Ben West, won as an artist for "The House That Built Me" (2011), "Over You" (2013), and "Mama's Broken Heart" (2014). Kristian Bush, producer of Moroney's entry, has won as both an artist and producer with Sugarland’s "Stay" in 2012.

The ACM Award for Single of the Year honors the artist(s), producer(s), and record label(s) involved. If an artist also shares producing credits, they receive two awards. This underscores the collaborative nature of country music production and the recognition of contributions behind the scenes.

Historically, only four artists have achieved the feat of winning back-to-back ACM Single of the Year awards. The ceremony recognizing this accomplishment will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 17. Fans and industry insiders alike will be watching to see if Ella Langley joins this exclusive group.

Notable among past back-to-back winners is Willie Nelson, who earned the award in 1985 for "To All the Girls I've Loved Before" (a collaboration with Julio Iglesias) and again in 1986 for "Highwayman," a supergroup effort with Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings. Both songs topped the Hot Country Songs chart during their respective years, highlighting the enduring appeal of these tracks.

The ACM Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Billboard’s parent company Penske Media. This partnership ensures the awards maintain visibility and prestige within the entertainment industry.

As the countdown continues to the 2026 ACM Awards, all eyes remain on Ella Langley and whether she can secure her second consecutive Single of the Year trophy with "Choosin' Texas," joining a rarefied list of country music legends who have accomplished the same.