Ella Langley Stuns with Little Rock Show

by Tyler Glover
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"You have to listen to 'Choosin' Texas!!!" 
"Have you heard Ella Langley's new song?" 
"Are you a fan of her?" 
"Are you an Ella Fella?"  

Around February, many friends asked if I had heard the record-breaking country song, "Choosin' Texas." Did I remember "You Look Like You Love Me?" It was the same singer. I finally found the time and became instantaneously hooked. I had to hear more from this talented country artist, Ella Langley. I dived into her former albums, Excuse the Mess and Hungover. I had found a new artist to be excited about … I am indeed an Ella Fella. 

Shortly after my fandom began, Langley announced a new album, Dandelion, set for release on April 10th. I pre-saved it on Spotify and counted down the days until the release. Dandelion is a no-skip country album. Every song could be a Billboard Hot 100 hit. The album draws you in from the first tune,
"Froggy Went A Courtin" and makes you never want to leave. If you love country music, you will simply love Langley.

Tickets went on sale for the Dandelion Tour. Affordability was an issue for me, but as the day drew near, I knew I simply had to go. On August 22nd, I went to see Ella Langley on her "Dandelion Tour" at the Simmons Bank Arena in North Little Rock, Ark. 

Her opening acts were country artists ERNEST and Laci Kaye Booth. Both feel like artists we will be seeing more of in the coming years. 

While they were great, the true excitement began at 9 p.m., when Langley took the stage. She came out singing the title track, "Dandelion," and immediately drew us in. The whole stage was filled with real dandelion flowers and the computer-generated background of a traditional Southern country home. We all immediately felt welcome and at home. The whole two hours of her set made us feel like we were all hanging out with an old friend, and neither one of us wanted the time together to end. Langley sang all of her hits, including "You Look Like You Love Me," her Morgan Wallen duet, "I Can't Love You Anymore," "Choosin' Texas," "Be Her" and "Bottom of My Boots." It is always exciting to hear these artists sing their hits live and in person for you. What truly makes concerts special, though, is what makes them exclusive. Langley did several covers throughout her set that made fans feel special because she isn't putting them out for everyone to see. She covered Toby Keith's hit, "I Wish I Didn't Know Now," "Dreams" by Fleetwood Mac" and "Here For The Party" by Gretchen Wilson. While we love hearing the radio hits, it is exciting to hear new material.  

My absolute favorite cover of the evening was her singing "Comfortable When I'm Crazy" by ERNEST. ERNEST came out and joined her for this song. When introducing the song, Langley claimed that she is jealous that this is a song that she didn't write herself. I knew we were in for a treat. The song was so heartbreaking, beautiful and haunting. I had it on repeat for two days following the show.

Shortly after the concert was over, I started seeing negative posts from some concertgoers who said they couldn't believe they paid so much money and that was all the show was. I respectfully disagree. I think there are some concerts that focus on having a high production value, but it is perfectly OK to let the talent of the musician and their band shine through. As mentioned above, the set was beautiful and homely and made us feel at home. Langley focused on giving stellar powerhouse vocals, playing her guitar and highlighting all of her band members and their incredible skills as musicians. One thing I respected so much about Langley was that when she introduced her band, she had their names and pictures of them on the Jumbotron. They were getting their moment to have their names in lights as well.

As a Christian, one particular moment of the concert really stood out to me. I believe that God is the reason we have anything that we have in this life. Langley shares my faith in God, and she talked to us about how last year, she could never have imagined how her world would be so different now. She said that all the glory goes to God for making her dreams come true. It made my heart so happy to see people put credit where credit is due. God should be the main one we thank for any of our blessings. 
The "Dandelion Tour" concert was such a fun evening with a talented singer, songwriter, musician and artist that I feel we will be hearing about for many years to come. I personally cannot wait to see her again.