[Elle Townley | Photo: Carol Welch/JWA Media | Download JPG]
Award-winning Texas country singer-songwriter adds national honor to growing list of accolades
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (September 21, 2026) — Texas teen country singer-songwriter Elle Townley has added another major honor to her growing list of accolades, winning Vocalist of the Year – Under 18 at the 2026 Josie Music Awards, held Sunday, September 20, at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee.
“I’m incredibly honored to have been named Vocalist of the Year Under 18 by the Josie Music Awards,” said Townley. “I’m so grateful for their continued support of independent artists. Standing on the Grand Ole Opry House stage was an unforgettable experience and truly a dream come true!”
The national honor caps a breakthrough year for the Georgetown, Texas native, who entered the 2026 Josie Music Awards with multiple nominations spanning several categories. Townley was also nominated for her original holiday song “Perfect Christmas” received recognition for Best Actress in a Music Video and Social Impact Video of the Year. Her 2025 single “Taking Off My Halo” was also nominated for Song of the Year – Country Female. The official 2026 Josie Music Awards nominee list included Townley among the finalists for both Artist of the Year – Under 18 and Vocalist of the Year – Under 18.
The win adds a national award to an already impressive résumé for the young Texas artist. In 2025, Townley won the Texas Country Music Association’s Young Artist of the Year award after earning three nominations in four years. She also finished as runner-up in the Texas State Songwriters Association Female Songwriter Championship. Her earlier accomplishments include winning the Old Settler’s Music Festival Youth Talent Competition and placing among the finalists in the Houston Rodeo Rockstar competition.
At just 18, Townley has continued to establish herself as a distinctive young voice in country music, combining powerful vocals with an appreciation for traditional country storytelling. Her latest single, “You’re Not Enough,” arrived August 21, her 18th birthday, and was inspired by a real-life experience in which a guy she was talking to told her she was “too much.” Rather than allowing the rejection to diminish her confidence, Townley turned the experience into an unapologetic song about self-worth and refusing to make yourself smaller to be accepted.
The song’s release continued a particularly active year for Townley, who has performed throughout Texas and earned appearances and coverage from outlets including FOX 7 Austin, CBS Austin, Buddy Magazine, Austin Woman and others.
Now, with a national award to add to her résumé, Townley is turning her attention toward the next chapter of her career: an anticipated 2027 debut album.
For Townley, the Josie Music Award represents another milestone in a career that began at a remarkably young age—and another indication that the Georgetown singer-songwriter’s voice is reaching well beyond her Texas roots.
Upcoming Shows:
SEPT. 25 – Saddle Shop Saloon / Georgetown, Texas
SEPT. 26 – Texas Wanderer Wine Bar / Fredericksburg, Texas
OCT. 02 – Fire Oak Distillery / Liberty Hill, Texas
OCT. 03 – Lost Draw / Johnson City, Texas
OCT. 15 – Hoots Hall / Burleson, Texas [info/tickets]
OCT 16 – Backporch Social / Round Rock, Texas
NOV 13 – Saddle Shop Saloon / Georgetown, Texas
NOV. 20 – Six Strings Guitar Lounge / Georgetown, Texas
NOV. 27 – Florence Beer Market / Florence, Texas
DEC. 11 – Silver Spur Saloon / Boerne, Texas
*For Elle’s most up-to-date tour schedule follow on BandsInTown
About Elle Townley:
Hailing from Georgetown, Texas, country singer-songwriter Elle Townley is a rising force in today’s country music scene, known for her powerhouse vocals, magnetic stage presence, and heartfelt songwriting. Blending classic country roots with a bold, modern edge, Elle’s sound speaks to both tradition and the next generation of country fans.
Her artistry and talent have earned her recognition across both media and industry circles. She has made TV and media appearances on The Heartland Network, WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour, Teen Kids News, Postcards Magazine, Austin Woman magazine, CBS Austin, FOX 7 Austin, AIM Country Music, and more. In competition, she was a Top 5 finalist in the 2020 Houston Rodeo Rockstar competition, winner of the 2021 Old Settler’s Music Festival Youth Competition, and a Texas Country Music Association Young Artist of the Year nominee in 2022, 2024 and winning the award in 2025.
2025 marked Townley’s return to releasing new music with a pair of singles; “Taking Off My Halo” which unveiled a bold, and unapologetic sound—channeling honesty, empowerment, and a deeper glimpse into the artist she’s becoming—along with her swanky and retro holiday original “Perfect Christmas.”
At just 18, Elle Townley is a young artist with an old soul—yet she’s only just getting started.
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