Ella Langley Brought Real Cowboys Into Her “Choosin’ Texas” Music Video — And the Rodeo World Showed Up Big

Country music star Ella Langley wanted one thing when it came to filming the music video for her smash hit Choosin’ Texas — authenticity.

Instead of staging a typical Nashville-style production, Langley and her team decided to bring in real rodeo cowboys to capture the true spirit of Texas and the Western lifestyle. And thanks to the help of her longtime friend Shea Fisher and her husband, Tyson Durfey, the vision quickly became a reality.

Filming on a Real Texas Ranch

When Langley’s team began searching for the perfect filming location, Fisher-Durfey had the perfect suggestion: Texas itself.

She invited the crew to film at the Durfey ranch in Brock, where several scenes were shot — including truck-driving shots and flashback moments that helped bring the storyline to life.

Langley even flew in by private plane to start filming B-roll scenes on March 5, immediately diving into the creative process.

But she had one request: if the video was going to feature cowboys, they needed to be the real deal.

Recruiting Rodeo Champions

That’s where Fisher-Durfey stepped in. Knowing the rodeo world well, she began reaching out to some of the sport’s biggest names to appear in the video.

Among those who joined the cast were:

• Shad Mayfield
• Leighton Berry
• J. B. Mauney
• Dale Brisby

Along with Tyson Durfey himself, the lineup created a powerful mix of timed-event competitors and roughstock riders.

The goal was simple: make the video feel real.

A Star-Studded Cast

The video also features several big names from both music and entertainment. Langley’s on-screen love interest is played by actor Luke Grimes, known for his role in Yellowstone.

The bar scenes were filmed at the legendary Stagecoach Ballroom in Fort Worth.

The video also includes appearances from:

• Ava Phillippe
• Miranda Lambert
• Kaitlin Butts

Plus cameos from country artists like Wade Bowen, Mike Ryan, Casey Donahew, and Tanner Usrey.

A Deep Connection to the Rodeo World

Langley’s dedication to authenticity didn’t go unnoticed by the rodeo community.

Shad Mayfield, the 2020 PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Champion, praised the experience and said it was refreshing to see a music video that included real cowboys instead of actors pretending to be them.

He also noted how welcoming Langley was during filming, describing her as genuine and easy to work with.

Giving Back to the Cowboys

As a thank-you for everyone involved, Langley presented the actors and cowboys in the video with special “Choosin’ Texas” belt buckles.

The connection between Langley and the rodeo world continues to grow. She even plans to invite the cowboys from the video to her upcoming concert at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth on August 15.

A Country Star with True Western Roots

Langley’s love for Western culture runs deep. She recently bought two horses, and rodeo is part of her family history — her grandfather was a steer wrestler.

While she jokes that she probably won’t become a professional rodeo competitor, Langley proudly calls herself a “horse girl” and has even said she’d love to compete in a PRORODEO event one day.

For fans of country music and Western culture alike, the “Choosin’ Texas” video proves that when authenticity meets great storytelling, the result is something truly unforgettable.