“Choosin’ Texas” Keeps Climbing
Ella Langley’s breakout hit Choosin’ Texas has been on a steady rise since it dropped in October 2025 — and it’s still gaining momentum.
The song debuted at No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100, then surged to the top of the Hot Country Songs chart by December 2, marking Langley’s first solo No. 1. Along the way, it became the fastest-rising solo female song at U.S. country radio this decade, cracking the Top 10 in just eight weeks.
Then came another major milestone. During the chart week of January 5, “Choosin’ Texas” leapt 43 spots on the Hot 100 to land at No. 5, giving Langley her first-ever Top 10 hit on the chart.
Jo Dee Messina Puts Her Spin On “Choosin’ Texas”
As the song continues to resonate, it’s catching the attention of country legends, too.
’90s hitmaker Jo Dee Messina — currently teasing new music of her own — shared a casual, feel-good cover of “Choosin’ Texas” on social media. Wearing a bright jacket and rose-tinted glasses, Messina sang along from her car, effortlessly putting her stamp on Langley’s hit.
It was a simple moment, but one that underscored just how far the song has traveled — and how much respect it’s earning across generations.
A Full-Circle Moment At The Ryman
That cross-generational connection showed up in a big way last November when Langley headlined two sold-out nights at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium to close out her Still Hungover tour.
Across the two nights, she welcomed an impressive lineup of surprise guests, including Morgan Wallen, Ernest, Kaitlin Butts, Gretchen Wilson, Mae Estes, and Messina herself.
When Jo Dee Messina hit the stage, the moment became one of the weekend’s highlights. The two teamed up to perform Messina’s 1998 classic Lesson in Leavin’, delivering a powerful reminder of how country music’s legacy is built — one generation lifting the next.
With “Choosin’ Texas” still climbing and legends taking notice, Ella Langley’s momentum doesn’t look like it’s slowing down anytime soon.
@musicmayhemmagazine.com @Ella Langley brought out @Jo Dee Messina for a surprise performance of “Lesson in Leavin’” during night one of two sold out shows at The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on the Hungover Tour. #EllaLangley #JoDeeMessina #EllaLangleyConcert #CountryMusic #CountryConcert ♬ original sound – Music Mayhem