Country music’s past, present and future collided during the 60th ACM Awards ceremony earlier this month. Miranda Lambert didn’t exactly pass the torch to Ella Langley—more like helped her hoist it into the air. The ACM’s all-time winningest artist and the 2025 New Female Artist of the Year joined forces for a red-hot duet of “Kerosene,” the song that put Lambert on the map 20 years ago. After the explosive performance, Lambert penned a heartfelt message to her duet partner on social media.
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Miranda Lambert Honors “Soul Sister” Ella Langley
Sharing a carousel of photos from their ACM duet, Miranda Lambert shouted out “my fellow dog-loving, country music soul sister Ella Langley, y’all.”
Langley notably paid tribute to Lambert during the performance, recreating the outfit Lambert wore in the original “Kerosene” music video.
Wynonna Judd, who also performed during the ceremony, weighed in below in the comments. “Connecting with you two was a highlight of my week!” wrote the “I Saw the Light” singer, 60.
Langley also commented. “I love youuuuu,” wrote the “Weren’t for the Wind” singer, 26.
For their fiery duet, Langley took the stage in jeans and a white tank top declaring, “Mama Tried.” If the look felt familiar, it’s because Lambert wore pretty much the same thing in the “Kerosene” music video.
It’s hard to believe that Lambert, 41, arrived on the country music scene 20 years ago. Clearly, she still has a lot to say. The nine-time ACM Female Vocalist of the Year released her 10th studio album, Postcards From Texas, late last year. It was her first since inking a joint deal with Republic Records and Big Loud.
How Miranda Broke the News of Langley’s First ACM Award
Ahead of the May 8 ACM Awards ceremony, Miranda Lambert interrupted Ella Langley’s Rock the Country set to deliver some big news.
“You, my friend, have won New Female Artist of the Year for the ACM Awards,” exclaimed the “Mama’s Broken Heart” songbird.
The night’s most-nominated artist with eight, Langley took home four more at Ford Center at the Star in Frisco, Texas. The Alabama native won ACM Single of the Year, ACM Music Event of the Year, and ACM Visual Media of the Year (as an artist and producer) for her viral Riley Green collab, “You Look Like You Love Me.”
Maybe one day she’ll come for Lambert’s record. We doubt the “Dammit Randy” singer would mind too much.
Featured image by Jason Kempin/Getty Image
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