ESTEEMED COLLABORATORS ON THE PROJECT INCLUDE SONGWRITING HEAVYWEIGHTS NATALIE HEMBY, LORI MCKENNA, JOSH OSBORNE AND MORE
RELEASE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO FOR NEW “PARKING LOT PRAYERS”
TO MAKE OPRY DEBUT ON SEPTEMBER 23
NASHVILLE, TENN. – Today rising duo Thelma & James, comprised of married singer-songwriters MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge, release their highly-anticipated debut EP Starting Over alongside an official music video for standout “Parking Lot Prayers.” 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, preceded by a performance at Nashville Film Festival’s Award Ceremony on Sunday (9/21).
“Our very first EP is out in the world,” share Thelma & James. “We have both been making music for years, but writing together is new, exciting and has inspired us in ways we didn’t expect. These songs are the beginning of Thelma & James. This is us, starting over.”
Not realizing the best writing partner was right under their noses the whole time, their first co-write in over a decade produced the EP’s opening song and viral track “Happy Ever After You” that Billboard notes as a “pared-back ballad of a love undimmed by the time and miles between.” The impromptu song made waves online with support from Kendall Jenner, John Mayer, Luke Combs and more. From there the duo began forging a musical path that led Atwood Magazine to detail them as having “heartbreak in their harmonies and fire in their veins.”
Porter and Etheridge co-wrote every song on the new EP alongside trusted collaborators including production by Lonas. The resonance of “Happy Ever After You” opened doors for the duo to write with esteemed songwriters like GRAMMY® Award-winners Natalie Hemby, Lori McKenna, Josh Osborne and more – ultimately penning songs that made the project.
Emblematic of their impactful songwriting, Starting Over features new songs like “Parking Lot Prayers.” Not holding back in conveying the solemn reality of fading hope, the pair of “harmonizing songbirds” (MusicRow) drench the new song in honesty. 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” are highlighted on the project with new additions like “Loser” and title track “Starting Over.”
Made for the stage, last week Thelma & James performed their new songs at Big Loud’s AMERICANAFEST Takeover at Skydeck alongside trailblazers Charles Wesley Godwin, Stephen Wilson Jr. and more. The duo has tour plans on the horizon as they double down on the new musical chapter. For more information, 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,” which just earned Gold certification in Canada. 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 are doubling down on their fortuitous new musical chapter with the release of debut EP Starting Over, available now.
CONNECT WITH THELMA & JAMES
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE
# # #
Media Contacts
Corey Brewer + Rachel Heatherly | Big Loud
corey@bigloud.com, rachel@
