Back in the 1970s, Owsley Manier and Brugh Reynolds teamed up to open a small music venue in Nashville called Exit/In. What started as a cozy 200-seat space quickly became one of the city’s most iconic music spots. Over the years, it welcomed everything from bluegrass and jazz to country—and even comedians like a young Steve Martin. It’s a place filled with stories, making it the perfect setting for Ella Langley to add her own.
Though there was no live audience or backing band, Langley delivered a powerful and emotionally raw performance of “Could’ve Been Her” from inside the legendary venue. Just her voice and the energy of the room—that’s all it took to leave a lasting impression.
@up2datecountry.live Update: @Ella Langley performs “Could’ve Been Her” at EXIT/IN in Nashville, TN #ellalangley
The track, which appears on her 2023 EP Excuse the Mess, has resonated deeply with fans. Alongside other standout songs like “Hell Of A Man” and “That’s Why We Fight,” “Could’ve Been Her” shines with its vulnerable lyrics and Langley’s unmistakable voice. This stripped-back version gave fans a whole new way to experience the song, and it hit just as hard—if not harder—without the bells and whistles.
And the fans definitely felt it. One wrote, “Dive bar feeling. Hearing this voice knowing I was witnessing the next Great Superstar first. Ella is the Best.” Another gushed, “GIRL!!! I haven’t been this obsessed over a new country artist since Shania. Your storytelling & tone are amazing!! Being gorgeous helps too! The total package.”
Beyond her solo work, Langley’s also making waves through collaborations. She’s teamed up with country star Riley Green, and when talking about working with others, she shared what matters most to her: “It’s the relationship, the connection. It’s somebody I want to create with. That’s the whole joy of living where we live and doing what we love—we’re surrounded by people who feel the same way.”
Her connection with Green, in particular, feels like fate. “Riley being from Alabama, we grew up with a lot of the same musical influences. Our hometowns are just two hours apart,” she explained. Their duet “Don’t Mind If I Do” came together organically—Green invited her to try singing it backstage just for fun, and the magic happened. “They loved it the way we did it—so they kept it on there!”
With raw talent, emotional depth, and a deep love for connection through music, Ella Langley is clearly on a path that’s only going up.
