S E110: ACM Awards Fallout: Morgan Wallen Snub & Ella Langley’s Big Night :: Ep 110 TTIAST
S E110: ACM Awards Fallout: Morgan Wallen Snub & Ella Langley’s Big Night :: Ep 110 TTIAST  
Podcast: Try That in a Small Town Podcast
Published On: Mon May 25 2026
Description: The Try That In A Small Town crew dives into the 2024 ACM Awards – the politics, the snubs, and the few moments that actually delivered. From Morgan Wallen being shut out, to Ella Langley’s historic run, to Lainey Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Zach Top, Kane Brown, Parker McCollum, and more, the guys break down who deserved what and where country music is really headed. They also talk about TikTok-ready story songs like “Choosing Texas,” the future of traditional-leaning artists, how award shows are losing legitimacy with fans, and why the industry keeps cloning the same “country boy” image. Plus: a small-town hero who saved a family from a fire, drive-thru rim damage, broken-English call centers, and a McDonald’s “fresh” muffin story. Perfect for country fans, songwriters, and anyone who’s over the BS of modern award shows. Timed Highlights: 2:16 – Studio chaos, heat, and golf talk in the eSpaces room 3:18 – Peacemaker Coffee plug and the truth about roast caffeine levels 4:32 – Shoulder MRI results: torn bicep, torn rotator cuff, and surgery date 16:05 – Instagram subscriptions and bonus content tease 16:44 – Confession: who actually watched the ACM Awards (and who didn’t) 18:20 – Lainey Wilson’s opener: high energy vs memorable songs debate 22:36 – Laney’s lack of a clear “signature” song and expectations for her writing 23:22 – Miranda Lambert’s “Crisco” performance reaction 24:44 – Riley Green and Ella Langley: onstage “pajamas” tension 33:31 – Why fans are losing faith in award shows and ratings 36:29 – Megan Moroney’s many nominations and zero wins 42:48 – Group of the Year: Red Clay Strays and the new darlings of country 45:18 – “Best they/them duo?” Pushing back on where categories might go 47:05 – Why Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, and Rascal Flatts are selling more tickets now 48:01 – Disposable songs vs timeless 90s/2000s country 48:20 – Red Clay Strays sell out Bridgestone: how fans find music now 48:54 – Encouraging signs: more traditional-leaning performances at the ACMs 49:44 – Parker McCollum wins Album of the Year over Morgan Wallen 50:37 – “Choosing Texas” wins Song/Single of the Year and just how massive it is 52:51 – Somewhere Over Laredo vs Somewhere Over The Rainbow and copyright splits 55:09 – Tucker Wetmore: Morgan/Riley clone, performance debate, and industry blame 59:12 – Zach Top’s 90s throwback lane: can it really last? 1:02:27 – Why traditional acts must have truly great songs to survive 1:03:21 – Kane Brown’s “Woman” and trying to stay country 1:08:20 – Why Ella Langley feels so believable and why her stool performance worked 1:09:34 – Dancers in country: necessary or cheesy? 1:11:09 – Grading the ACMs: starting at a 5 because of the Morgan snubs 1:12:34 – What the ACMs are signaling to fans by ignoring Morgan Wallen 1:13:58 – How the snubs actually pour jet fuel on Morgan’s career 1:14:55 – The legitimacy problem when the biggest artists don’t show up 1:16:46 – Speculating on why the industry still hasn’t moved on from Morgan’s incident 1:16:54 – New Male Artist: Tucker Wetmore; New Female Artist: Avery Anna 1:21:01 – “No cause for alarm” text actually is cause for alarm: contract story teaser 1:21:39 – Contract options and income surprises: more to come 1:22:29 – Small town hero: Officer Eli Rogers saves a family from an apartment fire 1:23:18 – Why stories like Eli’s embody “Try That In A Small Town” 1:23:59 – Dipshit of the Week: broken-English call centers and customer service 1:31:32 – Why the ACMs feel like BS but we still care about songs, fans, and country music __________________________________________________________________________SPONSORS: The Try That in a Small Town Podcast is powered by e|spaces!Redefining Coworking - Exceptional Office Space for Every BusinessBook a tour today at espaces.comFrom the Patriot Mobile studios:Don’t get fooled by other cellular providers pretending to share your values or have the same coverage. They don’t and they can’t!Go to PATRIOTMOBILE.COM/SMALLTOWN or call 972-PATRIOTRight now, get a FREE MONTH when you use the offer code SMALLTOWN.Original Brands - Our original sponsor since the beginning!!Original brands is starting a new era and American domestic premium beer, American made, American owned, Original glory.Join the movement at www.drinkoriginalbrands.comPeacemaker Coffee CompanyFounded by retired police officer/chief Chris Morris, Peacemaker delivers clean, low-acidity coffee while supporting police, firefighters, EMS, military, veterans, teachers, dispatchers, and medical personnel through donations and programs.https://www.peacemakercoffeecompany.com/_________________________________________________________________________Follow/Rate/Share at www.trythatinasmalltown.com -For advertising inquiries, email info@trythatinasmalltown.comProduced by Jim McCarthy and www.ItsYourShow.coSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.