AceShowbiz - Elle Townley has won Vocalist of the Year Under 18 at the 2026 Josie Music Awards, which were held on Sunday, September 20, at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, Tennessee.

The Georgetown, Texas native entered the awards with multiple nominations spanning several categories. She was a finalist for both Artist of the Year Under 18 and Vocalist of the Year Under 18. Her original holiday song Perfect Christmas received recognition for Best Actress in a Music Video and Social Impact Video of the Year, while her 2025 single Taking Off My Halo was nominated for Song of the Year Country Female.

"I'm incredibly honored to have been named Vocalist of the Year Under 18 by the Josie Music Awards," Townley said. "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 win adds a national honor to a résumé that already includes significant Texas recognition. In 2025, Townley won the Texas Country Music Association's Young Artist of the Year award after earning three nominations in four years. She was also runner-up in the Texas State Songwriters Association Female Songwriter Championship. Earlier in her career, she won the Old Settler's Music Festival Youth Talent Competition and was a finalist in the Houston Rodeo Rockstar competition.

Her latest single, You're Not Enough, was released on August 21, her 18th birthday. The song 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.

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The release continued an active year for Townley, who has performed throughout Texas and earned appearances and coverage from outlets including Fox 7 Austin, CBS Austin, Buddy Magazine and Austin Woman.

With the national award added to her résumé, Townley is turning her attention toward an anticipated 2027 debut album.

She also has a series of upcoming Texas shows, including performances at Saddle Shop Saloon in Georgetown on September 25 and November 13, Texas Wanderer Wine Bar in Fredericksburg on September 26, Fire Oak Distillery in Liberty Hill on October 2, Lost Draw in Johnson City on October 3, Hoots Hall in Burleson on October 15, Backporch Social in Round Rock on October 16, Six Strings Guitar Lounge in Georgetown on November 20, Florence Beer Market in Florence on November 27, and Silver Spur Saloon in Boerne on December 11.