Country star Ella Langley reunited with her former high-school history teacher, Maury Popwell, during a stop on her Dandelion Tour at Auburn University in Alabama on 28-29 August, presenting him with a signed guitar as a token of thanks for encouraging her music career. Known to Langley as "Coach Pop," Popwell taught at Hooper Academy in Hope Hull, Alabama, where the pair bonded over music and horses, with Langley bringing her guitar to school on Fridays for the two to play together.

Popwell, who has taught for more than 50 years, gave Langley one of his own guitars when she left for Nashville, and she took it with her to launch her career; the instrument she signed for him in return read "Love you, Coach Pop!!" Langley has since become one of country music's biggest stars, with "Choosin' Texas" spending 20 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 and winning her a record seven trophies, including song, single and female artist of the year, at the 2026 ACM Awards. Popwell told local station WSFA-TV that watching her success feels like watching family, saying he has shed tears seeing her collect the awards.