Ella Langley Talks Tour Essentials, Favorite Binge Watch and the Celebrity Fans That ‘Blow My Mind’

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Ella Langley stepped foot on the Grand Ole Opry stage in Nashville last weekend for an intimate one-night-only performance celebrating music, culture and community.

Langley performed for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers as part of the credit card brand’s “Dinner On…” series, which reimagines iconic cultural landmarks as immersive dining venues, with entertainment from established and emerging artists. The exclusive experience saw just over 100 guests seated on the Opry stage for a private showcase from Langley followed by a multi-course dinner from Nashville’s Michelin-rated Bastion, along with a take-home gift of custom cowboy boots from Tecovas.

For Langley, whose new album Dandelion was released on April 10 (and also spawned a passion fruit and tequila-inspired cocktail of the same name at the Chase event), the chance to take over the Grand Ole Opry in such a unique way was too good to pass up.

“This is such a legendary place for artists to play because of how many incredible artists have been here in the past,” she says. “It’s just so moving because it’s something that not everyone gets to do.”

The “Dinner On…” series is just one of a number of exclusive experiences open to Chase cardmembers, as the brand continues to invest in music, dining and entertainment offerings. Similar to how competitors are extending everything from early access to concert tickets to hard-to-get seats to cultural moments, Chase says it’s committed to going beyond traditional points programs and hospitality to get “into the heart of the experiences cardmembers are most passionate about.”

For Langley, the night was a chance to get up close and personal with new fans and longtime supporters alike, while celebrating a country music institution.

THR caught up with the rising country star — and recent Academy of Country Music Awards winner — to chat about playing at the Opry, the fan response to her new songs and the essential items she never leaves home without when she hits the road.

THR: Tell us about why the Grand Ole Opry is so special to you.

Langley: This really just started out as a home where artists would come and play and get their music out there. They didn’t have everything that we have now to get their music out there in those days, so playing at the Opry and then having that air on the radio was a really big deal. Everyone would tune in. And it still just oozes that feeling out.

Do you remember the first time you came here to see a show?

No, because my first time I was here, I was performing in the show!

You’re probably getting asked to do a lot of different partnerships these days – why did you say yes to this one with Chase?

It’s really important for me to work with companies that let me be my authentic self, because I care very much about how my fans view me, and I want them to see me as who I am, and so working with companies like Chase has been awesome. You know, some people have all these different things they want you to do, and it gets overwhelming, so I definitely like working with people that let you be yourself, and Chase has done that for me.

What’s an example of a campaign or idea that was pitched to you recently that you had to turn down?

There are so many things; it feels like every day there’s something. But what’s crazy now is I’m having to say no to some things that I do want to do, just with how busy I am. And that’s been a different balance, because before, every amazing opportunity that comes your way, I’m like, “Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!” And now you kind of have to be a little specific about it, because my body and my mind are the things that keep it going, so making sure that we’re picking the right [partnerships] is important. This one is at the Grand Ole Opry, and it’s with people that have been so kind to me, so this one was fulfilling, you know?

I have to congratulate you on your recent wins at the ACMs and American Music Awards. What has the last year been like for you?

I think that this year has definitely pushed me into a different level. I’ve wanted to do this my entire life, and people always ask me, “How far do you want to take this thing?” and I’ve said, “Well, maybe stadiums,” as far as performing somewhere. So I’ve dreamed about it the whole time, but now I’m really experiencing these shows and headlining arenas for my first tour, and [playing as] direct support in a stadium, and just watching people relate to these songs in a way that you really hoped that they would.

I was going to ask about that, because your fans often say your music is really relatable. Why do you think that is?

I think it changes based on the artist, but most of the time when you’re listening, people either listen to the artist or you can listen through the artist. If you’re listening to an artist, they’ve lived that life. They live what they’re singing about, and they mean what they’re singing about. And then there are some songs that I listen to because it’s healing for me, or even if it’s heartbreaking or whatever, it’s like, I’m thinking about my [own] situation, and letting the artist sing me through that. And so it depends on the song and the artist, but I think with this record, it’s a little bit of both.

What are your favorite songs from the new album?

What makes me excited are songs like “Loving Life Again” and “Broken,” and even the fun ones like “Somethin’ Simple;” songs that are really just talking about real-life things for me, or things that I want to be, or things that I’ve done or am figuring out as a 27-year-old woman. So that has been my favorite part of this whole experience: playing the shows and just watching people react to some of these songs. It feels weird to think like, “It’s my song y’all. Who’s making you listen to all these things?”

Your profile is growing by the day. I was just in Japan last month and my Uber driver was playing “Choosin’ Texas” in his car. Have there been moments like that that have surprised you?

All of the time. But it’s the random ones that blow my mind. I saw Hailey Bieber use my song when I was watching social media the other day, and there have been a lot of other artists that have been so kind to that song too. Oh, I love Niall Horan. I saw that he used my song too.

Any other celebrities who you have been excited to hear from or meet?

I feel like at some of these award shows, I run into people and they know who I am and I’m expecting them not to but they somehow do. John Mayer is probably the biggest one that has reached out and expressed how much he loves the music. Probably that one for me has been the craziest one. I mean gosh, I’m such a fan of him and he’s obviously a great musician and writer. So for someone like that to reach out and expresses how much they love what you’re doing, I guess I’m doing it right.

How do you unwind when you’re not performing or at events? Do you like to binge watch anything?

My most-watched comfort TV show is probably The Office — the U.S. version. I tried to watch the UK edition, but I don’t know if I got it; the humor is very different. But I love Steve Carrell as Michael Scott — his humor is it for me. And Reba, that’s another one. Something about that show just calms me immediately.

How else do you like to relax?

I just bought some horses and so I’ve been riding them. I like anything outside really. I have two dogs, so just really anything that brings me back to the human version of myself, which is kind of just getting outside, barefoot and running around in the grass.

You’re in the middle of your “Dandelion” tour. What essentials do you bring on the road with you?

I always bring a book. I just started reading a book called “Yesteryear” and it’s sick. I always bring my Bible. I bring coloring books. I have my bus now so that lets me keep a lot of my stuff with me out on the road.

But the main thing I bring out is my dog; sometimes both of time. I don’t know what it is about his energy out there that just fixes it for me and everyone around, but it’s just… they’re like the best companions. It’s a little bit of home everywhere I go.

Your dog is now enjoying the perks of life on the road.

I mean, I got him when I was 20, so you gotta think he’s been traveling to gigs in cars and vans, and now he’s upgraded to buses and planes, but I mean, good for him. That’s definitely the piece of home that I try to bring everywhere with me.