BMI’S ELLA LANGLEY DOUBLES UP FOR FIRST NO. ONE PARTY WITH “WEREN’T FOR THE WIND” AND “CHOOSIN’ TEXAS”

BMI hosted SAWGOD/Columbia Records artist Ella Langley recently at its Nashville office, for her first-ever No. One celebration recognizing a pair of four chart-topping hits, “weren’t for the wind” and “Choosin’ Texas.” Langley was reunited with her co-writers behind both tracks, Johnny Clawson (BMI), Luke Dick (BMI), Miranda Lambert (BMI) and Joybeth Taylor (BMI), as more than 400 industry professionals filled the lobby. The milestone event followed the recent details behind the 4x ACM/CMA award-winner’s highly anticipated sophomore album, Dandelion, available on April 10.

The BMI atmosphere featured custom decor reflecting both hits, including a Texas floral-inspired merchandise cart, cookies and signature cakes themed after the No. One songs. BMI’s Leslie Roberts launched into the success behind the 2x PLATINUM hit “weren’t for the wind” as Langley, Johnny Clawson and Joybeth Taylor were each gifted a custom Taylor 210e DLX guitars in celebration of their first No. One party as BMI songwriters. BMI’s Clay Bradley transitioned presentations to the record-breaking PLATINUM hit, “Choosin’ Texas,” which continues to reign the charts. Speaking to its historic success, Billboard’s Russ Penuell took the stage to note that the smash ties for the most weeks ever spent atop the Billboard Hot 100 for a song by a woman that also hit No. One on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart; matching Taylor Swift’s three-week reign with “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.”

Sponsored by Studio Bank, Kari Barnhart made a special donation presentation on behalf of Langley and the songwriters in support of Pawsitive Rescue Division that provides rehabilitation, training and concentrated care for each rescued dog and their new owners. Green River Whiskey, the new official whiskey sponsor of BMI No. One parties, gifted Langley and her collaborators a commemorative bottle of single barrel bourbon in honor of their chart-toppers.

ABOUT ELLA LANGLEY:
Ella Langley is a multi-platinum, chart-topping, and award-winning country artist whose unmistakable voice and fearless songwriting have made her one of the genre’s most defining stars. After breaking out with her acclaimed debut album hungover, which featured her #1 hit “weren’t for the wind”, Ella enters her next chapter with Dandelion—a deeply personal sophomore record that Ella executive produced alongside Miranda Lambert and Ben West. Rooted in growth, self-reflection, and lived-in storytelling, Dandelion is designed to feel easy and effortless — balancing raw honesty with feel-good moments that invite listeners to both lean in and let go. Dandelion features her latest singles, the title track “Dandelion” and “Be Her”, as well as the massive hit song “Choosin’ Texas,” which hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on three separate weeks. Dandelion will release to the world on April 10.

ABOUT BMI:
Celebrating over 80 years of service to songwriters, composers, music publishers and businesses, BMI® is a global leader in music rights management, serving as an advocate for the value of music. BMI represents the public performance rights in over 25 million musical works created and owned by more than 1.4 million songwriters, composers, and music publishers. The Company negotiates music license agreements and distributes the fees it generates as royalties to its affiliated writers and publishers when their songs are performed in public. In 1939, BMI created a groundbreaking open-door policy becoming the only performing rights organization to welcome and represent the creators of blues, jazz, country, and American roots music. Today, the musical compositions in BMI’s repertoire, from chart toppers to perennial favorites, span all genres of music and are consistently among the most-performed hits of the year. For additional information and the latest BMI news, visit bmi.com, follow us on X, TikTok, and Instagram @BMI or stay connected through BMI‘s Facebook page. Sign up for BMI’s The Weekly™ and receive our e-newsletter every week to stay up to date on all things music.