Yesterday (May 18), country music’s biggest party, the 2026 ACM Awards, went off without a hitch. The evening, hosted by music legend Shania Twain, was filled with dazzling performances and landslide wins.
For Music Event of the Year, independent country star Riley Green snatched the win for his massive hit “Don’t Mind If I Do” with Ella Langley. During his acceptance speech Green thanked Ella for joining him on the track, expressed pride in her continued success, and paid homage to their Alabama roots.
“Thank y’all so much,” said Green, opening his speech. “I need to start by thanking my very lovely and talented duet partner, Miss Ella Langley, for being a part of this song.”
He went on to discuss the track’s origins. “I was in a green room in Fayetteville, Arkansas. I was sitting by myself. I wrote this song, and I knew there was something special about it.”
That special favorite was just missing a piece, which Green quickly determined was the right collaboration. When choosing Langley for the record, he revealed it was a no-brainer, as they had already struck gold on Langley’s tune “You Look Like You Love Me.”
Still Green and Langley seem to have fuzzy recollections of recording the record.
“I called Ella in Nashville, Tennessee, at the studio, and she showed up in her pajamas and sang what you hear on the track,” joked Green.
Well, Langley quickly rebutted Green’s comment, saying, “I had on jeans and a t-shirt. Thank you very much.”
“She might sleep in those… I don’t know,” Green playfully interjected. “But I knew that it was never going to get any better than that [take].”
Green then went on to praise Langley’s artistry and shout out their Alabama upbringing.
“I’m so proud of how far you’ve come,” said Green to Langley. “And you continue to surprise everybody with everything you do in your career. And more than anything, I’m really proud of how you represent our home state, Alabama.”
Green hails from Jacksonville with a Pleasant Valley upbringing. While Langley’s roots are planted in Hope Hull, which rests quietly outside of that state’s capital, Montgomery.
But Langley wasn’t the only Alabama native Green championed. The Red Clay Strays, which formed in Mobile, were also showered with Green’s admiration.
“It is awesome to see the Alabama winner,” said Green referring to the band.
Green closed his speech by again thanking the Academy of Country Music.
“Thank y’all so much,” said Green. “As a songwriter, this really means a lot. I appreciate y’all.”
Watch Riley Green and Ella Langley’s full speech for the Music Event of the Year at the 2026 ACM Awards below.
The 2026 ACM Awards hosted by country music icon Shania Twain streamed live on May 17. Rewatch the ceremony by logging in to your Prime Video account. Find more information here.