“Traditional country perfection that transports listeners back in time when the genre’s pioneering women like Kitty Wells, Dolly Parton, Lynn, and Wynette told their plain-spoken truth over rootsy instrumentation brought to life by Nashville A-team session players.”
— The Boot
“This unapologetic point of view is one that typically gets swept under the rug and forgotten, but Estes brings it to the forefront.”
— The Nash News
“stone-cold country newcomer”
— Whiskey Riff
“Mae Estes is one of those artists who sing traditional Country music in a modern way, meaning that when you listen to her songs you don’t know if it’s 2022 or 1972 and we love that about her.”
— Entertainment Focus
“Mae Estes is a country newcomer playing a vital role in reshaping the genre with her truthful and non-surface-level storytelling.”
— CMT
ABOUT MAE
She got her start at age 7 in the middle of an Arkansas rodeo arena, singing the national anthem. Hope, Arkansas native, Mae Estes hasn’t stopped singing since. Paying dues in Music City for nearly a decade, she’s now stacked with stories to tell. In 2019, Estes began releasing music and signed her first publishing deal with Plaid Flag Music in 2020. She’s since racked up more than 10 million streams across platforms and over one million views on YouTube, independently and organically building a quickly-growing fan base with her “plain-spoken truth”. In 2023, Estes releasedi her debut EP, “Before the Record”, a six-song project produced by hit songwriter Paul Sikes. Later that year, she announced a signing with Big Machine Records, WME Agency, Kobalt Music, and Blue Bronco Entertainment. She was also honored with Arkansas CMA Female Vocalist of the Year for the third consecutive year in her home state. Events such as The Grand Ole Opry, NHL Stadium Series, PBR Stadium Series, Music City Grand Prix, Wrangler’s National Finals Rodeo, The Bluebird Cafe, CMA Fest, Nissan Stadium, The Country Music Hall of Fame and more have hosted this “stone-cold country newcomer”. Estes was recently honored as a new member of the 2024 CMT Next Women of Country class. She joins Dierks Bentley, Jackson Dean, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and more on tour in 2024 and looks forward to releasing new music.
FAQs
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Hey, it’s Mae! (May-Estuss)
I’m an old soul with a music problem. Just trying to make Mama and Keith Whitley proud.
I grew up in southwest Arkansas in Bill Clinton’s hometown of Hope. I started performing when I was seven, got my first guitar at twelve and wrote my first song around the same time.
I’m a first-generation college honor graduate, thanks to an academic scholarship and a lot of hard work. That may seem random to include, but I’m super proud of the diligence that took. That same work ethic has helped me check off so many goals I moved to town with.
I’ve been in Nashville since 2015, writing songs, working lots of jobs and singing my heart out. Nashville isn’t at all what I had dreamt up listening to my honky tonk heroes in Arkansas. It’s taken me almost 8 years, but my friend and producer Paul Sikes and I have created a modern way to deliver a traditional sound that feels like magic. I show up to my shows and socials unapologetic about who I am and you’re more than welcome to come do the same. Thanks in advance for listening!
Hope to hear from you soon :)
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I’m inspired by lots of traditional country. In fact, most of my favorite artists have been dead for some time. I learned to sing and write songs listening to Whitley, Lynn, Wynette, The Judds, Haggard, Cline, Gosdin, Loveless and more. Tours I dream of joining? Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Cody Johnson.
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A gritty young woman, with a heavy Arkansan accent, making angry faces while she strums a Gibson guitar and sings country songs she wrote about the good, bad, and ugly of life.
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To anyone who has ever asked me this question, THANK YOU! Here are some tips and a quick video I made of easy and sometimes completely free ways to support your favorite new artist :)
* Like, comment, and/or bookmark every post you see
* Sharing every post with a friend who might like it
* Follow their Bands in Town and come support at shows when you can! Pro Tip: Send your friends to the show when you aren’t able to make it yourself :)
* Buy artist merchandise online and after live performances. You’re a walking billboard and literally join my marketing team when you spread the word with my merch!
* Adding their songs to your playlist
* Subscribing to their YouTube, emails, texts, Spotify, Bands in Town, Instagram, Facebook, Patreon, Tik Tok, etc.
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Follow Mae on Bands In Town for free and opt-in for notifications on new shows being added. You can also request a show in your area if you don’t see one on the list!
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A few years ago, my husband came up with the name for my “fan club”, which up until recently mostly consisted of my relatives. You can join my music family, the MAEniacs, HERE. I’ll send exclusive content, upcoming shows, merch pre-orders, and more!