Ella Langley has found a pretty perfect way to kick off “Choosin’ Texas” at her Texas shows.
During her Aug. 15 concert at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Langley used Matthew McConaughey and Jimmy Fallon’s bluegrass cover of her hit song as the introduction to her live performance. The unexpected moment came just days after McConaughey surprised viewers by putting his own spin on Langley’s chart-topping country anthem during The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Matthew McConaughey’s Version Opens the Show
Before Langley appeared onstage in Fort Worth, the crowd watched footage of McConaughey and Fallon performing their bluegrass-inspired rendition of “Choosin’ Texas.”
As the cover played, the excitement inside the arena built before the screen transitioned to Langley’s live performance of the song.
The choice was especially fitting for the Fort Worth concert. McConaughey’s version had quickly gone viral after his Tonight Show appearance, where he teamed up with Fallon and The Last Bison to perform the song after a fan suggestion.
Ella Langley Was Blown Away by McConaughey’s Cover
Langley had already made it clear that she was thrilled when McConaughey covered “Choosin’ Texas.”
After the performance aired on Aug. 12, the singer reacted on social media, writing that she didn’t think she would ever recover from seeing the actor perform her song. McConaughey’s rendition gave the song a completely different feel, swapping Langley’s modern country production for a more stripped-down bluegrass sound.
The actor’s connection to the performance also goes beyond simply being a fan of the song. McConaughey has been promoting his upcoming film The Rivals of Amziah King, a Southern drama that incorporates bluegrass music and features him performing music as part of the project.
“Choosin’ Texas” Has Become a Massive Hit
Langley’s decision to incorporate McConaughey’s version into her show comes as “Choosin’ Texas” continues its remarkable run.
The song, which Langley co-wrote with Miranda Lambert, Luke Dick and Joybeth Taylor, became a major crossover success and propelled the singer to a new level of stardom.
Its success has also helped turn Langley into one of country music’s biggest breakout artists, with the song attracting fans far beyond the traditional country audience.