When Miranda Lambert stepped onto the stage at Lucas Oil Live in WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma, on December 26, 2025, fans anticipated a powerhouse set packed with her classics. But midway through the electrifying performance, the Texas native delivered an unexpected gem: her first-ever live rendition of “Choosin’ Texas,” the breakout hit she co-wrote and co-produced for rising star Ella Langley.
Lambert, beaming with pride, introduced the song with a grin, admitting it felt “about time” she finally claimed it onstage herself. Her delivery was confident yet deeply personal—a seasoned storyteller stamping her unmistakable voice on lyrics already bearing her creative fingerprints. The crowd sensed the magic immediately: this wasn’t just another cover, but a full-circle moment, with one of country music’s most outspoken Texas voices breathing new life into a track celebrating roots, loyalty, and the irresistible pull of home.
“Choosin’ Texas,” released by Langley on October 17, 2025, quickly became a fan favorite, blending swagger, wit, and regional pride. Co-written by Lambert, Langley, Luke Dick, and Joybeth Taylor during a retreat, the upbeat anthem features Lambert’s background vocals on the studio version. Its narrative—a Tennessee woman realizing her cowboy lover is drawn back to a Texan rival—stems from a hilarious real-life anecdote Lambert shared: getting pulled over years ago and defiantly noting her Texas plates to the officer. As Langley recalled, the hook—“She’s from Texas, I can tell”—sparked the song in just 30 minutes.
In Thackerville—just across the Red River from Texas—Lambert’s performance hit especially close. She punctuated the chorus with ad-libs like “Dang right he is!”, drawing roaring approval from the audience. Fan-recorded clips went viral overnight, capturing the energy as Lambert closed with emphatic Texas pride. “It was pure fire,” one attendee posted online. “Miranda owning a song she helped birth—chills!”
This debut underscores the mentor-mentee bond between Lambert and Langley. Lambert has championed the Alabama-raised artist’s “rowdy, fiery side,” co-producing to let Langley’s artistry shine. Langley, whose 2024 debut Hungover spawned No. 1s like “you look like you love me” (with Riley Green) and “weren’t for the wind,” credits Lambert for guidance. The collaboration has paid off: “Choosin’ Texas” climbed to high positions on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs and even cracked the Hot 100, fueled by Langley’s CMA Awards performance and tour teases.
For Lambert, a Lindale, Texas, native whose catalog—from Kerosene to 2024’s Postcards From Texas—oozes Lone Star spirit, singing it live felt like reclamation. Her fiery lead single “Wranglers” echoed similar themes, but “Choosin’ Texas” added playful defiance. Performing near the border amplified the resonance; Thackerville’s WinStar draws heavy Texas crowds, turning the venue into a de facto home-state show.
The moment highlights country music’s generational torch-passing. Lambert, with 39 ACM Awards (most ever) and multiple Grammys, has long defied norms. Supporting Langley—a 2025 ACM New Female Artist winner with breakout momentum—mirrors how icons like Reba McEntire uplifted her. Fans speculate more joint work; Langley has teased ongoing collaborations.
As clips spread, reactions poured in: “Miranda just made ‘Choosin’ Texas’ even bigger,” one viral post read. Langley reposted fan videos, adding heart emojis. In a genre thriving on authenticity, this surprise bridged eras—veteran honoring newcomer, co-writer embracing her creation.
Lambert’s Thackerville show, part of sporadic 2025 dates amid her Vegas residency vibes, reminded why she’s country’s enduring force. With 2026 tours looming—including potential stadium spots—the “Choosin’ Texas” debut signals more Texas-sized moments ahead. For fans, it was a quiet first that roared loud: home isn’t just where the heart is—it’s where the music pulls you back.
