SECOND OFFERING FROM RISING NEW DUO FOLLOWS VIRAL “HAPPY EVER AFTER YOU,” CLAIMS NEARLY 20M LISTENS IN JUST TWO MONTHS
NASHVILLE, TENN. – Announced today, Big Loud Records adds to its chart-topping, independent roster with the signing of hot rising duo Thelma & James. The musical partnership between married Nashville-based singer-songwriters MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge is an undeniable force with their first co-write in over a decade producing “Happy Ever After You,” released in January, evolving organically from an impromptu video that garnered millions of views overnight and earned praise from fellow artists like John Mayer, Luke Combs, Brandi Carlile, and more. Today the pair release second-ever offering, “First Love.”
“Jake and I are so excited to sign our new project Thelma & James to Big Loud Records,” shares Porter. “Big Loud has believed and invested in me over the years and I wouldn’t wanna start this new chapter with anyone else.”
“The most gratifying part of my job is seeing artists come together to create something special that instantly connects with listeners,” Big Loud Partner / CEO Seth England shares. “It’s even better when those artists are as kind, talented and hard-working as MacKenzie and Jake. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome them to Big Loud as a duo and we’re thrilled for what’s to come.”
Stripped down production and clever lyrical turn on “First Love” accentuate the harmony between Porter and Etheridge who co-wrote the song alongside Lauren Hungate, produced by Lonas. Like their first release, “First Love” has been met with great anticipation and artist peer support, fueled by the tender chorus:
You’re not the first “I love you” that I’ve said or I’ve been told
But you’re the first that has me getting scared of getting old
Yeah it’s the first time I’m pretty sure I’d rather die than give you up
When we’re in our eighties I hope He takes me first, love
“This song is just about loving someone so much you don’t wanna live one day without them,” shares Thelma & James. “We wrote the lyrics in a really simplistic ‘everyday’ kind of way. To us that simple kind of love is the best kind. Our first song ‘Happy Ever After You’ was one of heartbreak and this is its counterpart.”
Doubling down on the fortuitous new musical chapter, Thelma & James are currently in the studio with plans for more new music to follow.
ABOUT THELMA & JAMES
An undeniable force, married Nashville-based singer-songwriters MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge form the new 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 nearly 20 million listens in just two months of release. The pair signed to Big Loud Records in 2025 and set their second-ever song “First Love” for release on March 14. Doubling down on the fortuitous new musical chapter, Thelma & James are currently in the studio with plans for new more music to follow.
ABOUT BIG LOUD RECORDS
Big Loud Records’ head-turning success story began in 2015. Counting over 62 billion global audio streams, 29 No. 1 U.S. country airplay hits, 52 No. 1 country hits across international territories, three history-making Billboard Hot 100 all-genre No. 1s, over 100 RIAA certified titles, and more, the Big Loud Records roster is home to genre standouts Ashley Cooke, Charles Wesley Godwin, Dallas Smith, Dylan Gossett, ERNEST, Hailey Benedict, Hailey Whitters, HARDY, HIXTAPE, Jake Worthington, Kashus Culpepper, Lauren Alaina, Lauren Watkins, MacKenzie Porter, Morgan Wallen, Stephen Wilson Jr., Thelma & James and Zandi Holup. Records was honored as the No. 1 Billboard Hot Country Songs label in 2021, 2022, 2023 + 2024, the 2022 and 2023 + 2024 MusicRow Label Group of the Year and was named Platinum Labelat the 2021 + 2023 CRS / Country Aircheck Awards. Learn more about Big Loud Records here, and connect with us on social media here.
CONNECT WITH THELMA & JAMES
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Media Contacts
Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud
corey@bigloud.com, rachel@
