Get ready for a night of Alabama pride as the CMA Awards spotlight shines on three of the state’s rising stars this Wednesday! But here’s where it gets exciting: Riley Green, Ella Langley, and the Red Clay Strays aren’t just nominees—they’re also set to perform, proving once again that Alabama’s music scene is a force to be reckoned with. And this is the part most people miss: this isn’t their first rodeo. Last year, Green and Langley stole the show with their duet “You Look Like You Love Me,” which snagged the Musical Event of the Year award. Fast forward to now, and that same song is up for Single of the Year, Song of the Year, and Music Video of the Year. Talk about a repeat performance! Langley is also in the running for Female Vocalist of the Year, while Green and Langley are back in the Musical Event of the Year category with their latest duet, “Don’t Mind If I Do.” Controversial question: Can lightning strike twice for this dynamic duo, or will the competition prove too fierce?
Meanwhile, the Red Clay Strays are once again nominated for Vocal Group of the Year, going head-to-head with heavyweights like Little Big Town, Lady A, Old Dominion, and Rascal Flatts. But here’s the twist: the Strays don’t fit neatly into the country music box. Frontman Brandon Wilson once quipped, “We are country people and we’re from the South, but we play more rock and roll than anything else.” Their unique blend of grit and twang has earned them a place in the country world, but it also raises a thought-provoking question: Does genre truly matter when the music resonates?
Beyond the awards, the Red Clay Strays are making waves with their upcoming headlining shows at Madison Square Garden and Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena in 2026. If you’re ready to rock—or should we say, roll—with them, tickets are available at www.redclaystrays.com.
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, November 19, as the CMA Awards take over Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Tune in live on ABC at 7 p.m. Central, or catch the show on Hulu starting Thursday. But before you go, we want to hear from you: Who do you think will sweep the awards this year? And does the Red Clay Strays’ genre-blurring style challenge your definition of country music? Sound off in the comments!
