EIGHT SONG PROJECT OUT SEPTEMBER 19
ESTEEMED COLLABORATORS ON THE PROJECT INCLUDE SONGWRITING HEAVYWEIGHTS NATALIE HEMBY, LORI MCKENNA, JOSH OSBORNE AND MORE
SET OPRY DEBUT FOR SEPTEMBER 23
“WITH HEARTBREAK IN THEIR HARMONIES AND FIRE IN THEIR VEINS, THELMA & JAMES ARE JUST GETTING STARTED” – ATWOOD MAGAZINE
NASHVILLE, TENN. – Hot rising duo Thelma & James, comprised of married singer-songwriters MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge, are primed to release their debut EP Starting Over on September 19. The eight-song project marks a proper introduction to their artistry that has garnered quick acclaim from fans and peers alike. To celebrate the release, Thelma & James will make their Grand Ole Opry debut on September 23.
Pre-save Starting Overhere.
“We are so excited to announce our very first EP together. These songs came together quickly and creating them felt so effortless,” share Thelma & James. “When we sat down to write back in December, there was no plan beyond getting a few ideas off our chests. We never imagined it would turn into a band, a record deal and now an entire project—but looking back, it feels inevitable.”
Porter of Thelma & James adds, “Jake is my best collaborator in every part of life, so it only makes sense that it translates into music too. This is just the beginning; we have so many songs… they just won’t stop flooding our brains.”
Both having forged successful solo careers, Porter and Etheridge are embarking on this new chapter as a duo. Not realizing the best writing partner was right under their noses the whole time, their first co-write in over a decade produced the project’s opening song and viral track “Happy Ever After You” – the catalyst for the duo itself. Porter and Etheridge co-wrote every song on Starting Over alongside trusted collaborators including production by Lonas. The resonance of “Happy Ever After You” opened doors for the duo to co-write with esteemed songwriters like GRAMMY® Award-winners Natalie Hemby, Lori McKenna, Josh Osborne and more – ultimately penning songs that made the project.
Alongside “Happy Ever After You” that Billboard notes as a “pared-back ballad of a love undimmed by the time and miles between,” the EP features previously released songs like “Nostalgic for Nothing,” “Canaries in a Coal Mine,” “Chainsmokin Memories” that Atwood Magazine defines as “swampy Americana and bluegrass” and the “aching ballad” (Holler) “First Love.” Adding new songs to their growing catalog, Starting Over will introduce songs “Loser,” “Parking Lot Prayers” and “Starting Over.”
For more details, visit thelmaandjames.com.
Starting Over track list
Writing credits in italics
Produced by Lonas
*Produced by Lonas, MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge
ABOUT THELMA & JAMES
An undeniable force, married Nashville-based singer-songwriters MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge form the musical partnership Thelma & James. Not realizing the best writing partner was right under their noses the whole time, their first co-write in over a decade produced “Happy Ever After You.” Evolving organically from an impromptu video that earned praise from fellow artists like John Mayer, Luke Combs, Brandi Carlile and more, the song has since garnered over 20 million streams since its release. The pair signed to Big Loud Records in 2025 and have since released “First Love,” “Chainsmokin Memories,” “Canaries in a Coal Mine” and most recent “Nostalgic for Nothing.” Doubling down on the fortuitous new musical chapter, Thelma & James are set to release their debut EP Starting Over on Sept. 19.
CONNECT WITH THELMA & JAMES
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE
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Media Contacts
Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud
corey@bigloud.com, rachel@bigloud.com
