Joplin’s Howard Nunnelly Strikes Gold at Country Music Association Awards
Although he’s only 26 years old, Joplin, Missouri, native son and drummer-extraordinaire Howard Nunnelly knew at an early age being a musician was his passion, and it has led him on a whirlwind journey and dream-come-true gig playing with rising country music star singer/songwriter Ella Langley’s band.
Langley teamed with fellow country music singer/songwriter Riley Green as duet partners on the song “You Look Like You Love Me” in 2025, and the mega smash hit landed them Country Music Association Awards for Single of the Year, Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year in November 2025.
“I’ve always loved music,” Howard says. “Most of my earliest memories revolve around loud noises. They’ve always been soothing to me, whether being in my dad’s booth at the radio station with music pumping, CDs constantly blasting in the car and in my room or growing up in a non-denominational church where loud contemporary worship was normal.
“Allegedly, the only way to get me to fall asleep as a baby was with the vacuum running or by beating the side of my crib with a shaker toy.”
Recollecting the opportunity to partner with Ella Langley’s band, Howard says, “I joined them in 2022 after my name was thrown into the hat by a friend, Jake Garner, who plays guitar for Riley Green. My audition was our first rehearsal at Soundcheck (Nashville) after getting a call from Ella’s musical director and lead guitarist, Ben Flanders.
“I was aware of who Ben is from his time playing guitar and leading the band for Scott Stapp (Creed), so I felt a lot of pressure showing up for those first rehearsals. I was also joining an already functioning band that had been together for most of 2022, composed of Ella, Ben and Rye Jackson on bass/harmonies.”
Howard handled his audition smoothly and says, “From that first run-through of songs and getting to hang with everyone, we clicked on a musical and personal level. I was offered the full-time position as drummer that day and haven’t looked back. These people have become like family.”
Interestingly, Howard’s first choice for playing a musical device wasn’t the drums, and he says, “When I was seven or eight years old, my family started attending a church in Webb City (The Road). That was my first true exposure to live music on a regular basis. I was mesmerized.
“I realized playing an instrument was something anyone can learn, and not just people on the radio or MTV. I made it clear to my parents I wanted to learn to play guitar.”
Howard’s dad and mom had other ideas. He says, “My parents realized I was constantly tapping on things anywhere we went. They noticed I had natural rhythm.
“So, for Christmas, when I was eight years old, I was given a little First Act® Drum Set designed with black and gray stars. I still have that kit at my parents’ home in Joplin. After my first drum lesson, I resonated with that instrument and started playing all day, every day.”
As for his initial experience with a group, Howard says, “My first exposure playing music with other people was when I was nine years old in my church’s worship band. My dad was a pastor and when he planted a church in 2010 in Joplin, I happened to be the only option for a drummer. It was trial by fire.
“My time playing in church was integral to who I am as a musician. My parents worked faithfully to plant a church (Impact Life Church) in Joplin. I started as the drummer in our band under the direction of our worship leader, Josh Coate.
“I’d only been taking lessons for a year and wasn’t ready to be on stage with all those incredible adult musicians. Bless Josh’s heart, he was my greatest teacher and a true mentor, but he was hard on me. I laugh now thinking about it, but at the time it was intense.”
There was no margin for error, and Howard says, “Josh had high expectations for excellence and being prepared. I could play drums, but I had no concept of keeping time, which is the most important role of a drummer playing in this band.
“I spent 10 years playing nearly every Sunday with that band, including hours and hours of rehearsals. Those experiences molded me and my work ethic as a musician. I owe it to Josh for pushing me and showing me how much I’m capable of achieving.”
Along with Josh, Howard appreciates the influence of his childhood buddy and singer/songwriter Grant Landis. “We didn’t become friends naturally. It was an arranged situation that blossomed into a lifelong brotherhood. Our parents had known each other a long time. They knew we were young musicians who wanted to play shows.
“I got dropped off one day at Grant’s house. We just sat in his basement and ran through songs he wanted to play. The first show we played together was at Carousel Park in 2013. I was on cajón, while Grant played acoustic and sang. We clicked with our music and became fast friends.”
The talented twosome and good friends took their show on the road, and Howard says, “Grant and I toured at a high level for 13-14 years olds, doing headline tours, festivals and all kinds of online videos. Those experiences at a young age taught me so much about the music industry. It showed me I love touring and traveling.
“Years later, I have Grant to thank for moving to Nashville and extending his friends to me, which resulted in opportunities I have now. He’s been supportive of me and I’m thankful for the time we spent touring together. We’re still like brothers and live five minutes down the street from each other.”
Spending a week in Nashville in spring 2019 helped convince Howard to head eastward for good, and he says, “I had a wide-open schedule, and it gave me time to play a showcase event with Grant. It was on that trip I met a few key players who inspired me to see it’s possible to make a living playing music.
“Getting a taste of the Nashville scene, interacting with musicians who were playing on the road with other household names, gave me the idea that I could make it here. After the trip, I got an offer to move in with a guitarist who had an open bedroom at his place. I took it as a sign from God and moved.”
It wasn’t overnight success, though.
“I worked all kinds of jobs before I started making a living full-time playing music. I worked at Whole Foods through COVID, delivered Girl Scout cookies for a real estate agent, worked for a COVID-testing company, did runner gigs for bands, getting their food and drinks backstage.
“Some of the jobs I enjoyed more than others, but all of it was always with the belief that music would work out eventually. They all taught me something along the way.”
Howard has learned a lot from Ella Langley, as well, and he says, “I believe her success lies in chasing authenticity, intentionality and excellence. Those are all things we strive for in our shows and in our lives.
“She’s an incredible songwriter. She knows even if I weren’t her drummer, she’d be one of my favorite artists in the world. I’ve never seen someone work a crowd and be so real and personable on stage as Ella.”
When considering what’s made this happen for himself, Howard says, “The keys to success for me start with being easy to work with, being highly adaptable, showing up over-prepared and being confident. Outside of those, having a supportive family has been my biggest strength.
“My mom and dad have been my biggest supporters. They’ve gone to bat for me, shown up when they didn’t have to and gifted me a wealth of wisdom. A strong support system has gone a long way for me. I’m glad I didn’t have to do this alone. I’ve been blessed to have a strong family in Nashville, as well.”
Howard has reason to be ecstatic, and he says, “My most proud accomplishment thus far is selling out two back-to-back nights at Ryman Auditorium last November (2025) with Ella. I felt so much pride knowing when I started with this band, we took turns driving a 12-passenger van and trailer through the night to get to each show.
“My dream when moving to Nashville was to start with an artist and grow with them. I’ve had the pleasure of accomplishing this with Ella. I’m even more honored to call her and the band my friends. Looking over on stage and being reminded I’m playing incredible music with people I love is one of my biggest points of pride.”
Howard knows staying at the top won’t be easy, and he says, “It’s important to stay confident in your ability and keeping a high bar for yourself while remaining humble and aware that to be great, constantly stepping up your game is what it takes to do this.”
Drummer Howard Nunnelly Fast Facts
Age: 26 years old
Parents: Howard and Tammy Nunnelly
Siblings: Cleo Nunnelly, Mykela Nunnelly and Israel Nunnelly
Hometown: Joplin, Missouri
Current Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee
High School Alma Mater/Year Graduated: Joplin High School/2018
Favorite Food: “My classic everyday meal is ground turkey and rice.”
Favorite Musician/Singer: “John Mayer is high up on that list. Especially when you include all the amazing musicians he’s had on his records.”
Hobbies: Weightlifting, going to the movies, photography, record shopping/listening and journaling.
Quotable: “My first time playing on stage was my third-grade talent show. I just hung artwork in my Nashville studio I made in third grade for that talent show. I called that performance ‘Superbeats,’ so I’ve aptly named my studio Superbeats Studio. I practiced for weeks. With the help of my first drum teacher (Jess Carey), I came up with a drum solo.
“I had no idea how people would react, but I felt comfortable on stage. After I finished my rock ‘n roll Grohl/Bonham-style solo piece, there was a pause of silence and then the cafeteria full of teachers, parents and fellow students erupted. That’s the first time I experienced validation for playing drums, but that’s never been what it’s about.”
