*Band members Dustin Benson and Josh Matheny (originally from Magnolia, Arkansas) performed with Mae during the 2022 National Hockey League Stadium Series game in Nashville.*

With talent search shows such as “American Idol” and “The Voice” so popular, some young people are under the impression that simply having musical talent or being in the “right place at the right time” is their ticket to success. Rarely does someone identify their passion at a very early age and have the maturity to know how hard they will have to work to make their dreams a reality. Mae Estes is one of those rare individuals.

Born in Magnolia, Arkansas, and raised in Hope, Mae would appear to have been a typical teenager – serving as a cheerleader and riding horses and participating in rodeos. A good student, Mae also described herself as being “very social.” “I went to college on an academic scholarship and was a first-generation college graduate with honors and a member of several organizations/extracurriculars,” Mae shared.

*During the 2021 Music City Grand Prix, which winds through the heart of Music City, Mae performed for the crowd. (Photo by Marisa Taylor Photography)*

What sets Mae apart is not only that she began singing publicly at the age of 7 – her first performance was of the national anthem before a rodeo in her hometown of Hope – but she knew at that young age that she would have to put in the work to accomplish her goal of a career as a country music artist. Perhaps that is an innate part of Mae as she admitted that she’s always been in love with country music. “For as long as I can remember, music is what holds me together,” she explained. “It’s the one thing that reminds me who I am amidst all things forever changing. Even at 7, I noticed a connection with the audience when I sang where we both felt so seen when we shared a song. I’ve been chasing those moments ever since.”

Chasing those moments meant performing at every venue she could from age 7 – with her parents happily transporting her – to setting off for Nashville, Tennessee, just after college graduation in 2015. Mae moved by herself to Nashville and continued to pursue her passion – country music. She was quick to admit that although she made the move alone, she couldn’t have done it without the support of her family. “My parents and family (which includes younger sister, Jordan, and new nephew, Lincoln) supported me from the very first note I sang and made me believe I had as good a chance as anybody else at making my dreams come true in Nashville.”

*Mae recording new music in the studio at Omni Sound Studios in Nashville. (Photo by Marisa Taylor Photography)*

Finishing college in Arkansas and facing the many hardships of moving to Tennessee alone presented significant challenges for Mae. “My motto was, dreams don’t work unless you do,” she recalled. “My childhood (and still) best friend, Jordan Arrington, framed and gifted that quote to me the day I left for Tennessee. It has hung on my wall through several highs and many lows in my time in Nashville and still hangs there today. I think it still rings true.”

In addition to the strength Mae draws from her family and friends, she is inspired by artists like Keith Whitley, Lee Ann Womack, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Cody Johnson, and others. “I’m inspired by authentic artists who make me feel what they’re singing about and believe the stories they are telling,” Mae added.

*Mae and her husband, Chad, at the Arkansas Country Music Awards in 2021.*

Her commitment to authenticity has led Mae to a love for writing her own songs. “I have recorded ‘outside’ songs, written by other songwriters and support artists doing that so much,” she noted. “But I do also love to write songs myself, and the majority of my releases are co-written. I just try to pull from things I’ve observed or lived. I challenge myself to see the situation for what it is and not how I think it should be – resulting in some ugliness in my lyrics.”

Mae recently got to headline her very first show at Hempstead Hall – a beautiful venue in her hometown of Hope. “This was my first ticketed show to a theatre – and one without food or alcohol,” she stated proudly. “We had such a great turnout still. It was such a special night. I look forward to coming back and selling it out someday!”

Another highlight of Mae’s career occurred in 2021 when she was honored as Female Vocalist of the Year at the Arkansas Country Music Association Awards. “I also got to perform my song ‘Recycled’ with my co-writers Josh Matheny, Autumn McEntire, and Hannah Blaylock at the awards and that was such a special moment,” Mae remembered. “My family also got to attend the event because it was so close to home. I’m honored to be nominated in the same category again this year.”

The future appears extremely bright for this hard-working, dynamic country artist. While Mae is perfectly happy with where she is in life, she admits she would welcome a little more stability in the music industry. “I’m happily married to a man (Chad) who is truly more than I could dream up, and I get to write songs for a living,” she shared. “I hope to have an EP released in the near future and build my Maeniac Family (her fan base) even more by releasing new music and connecting with people who can relate. For now, I’m trying to live in each moment as they come! I look forward to achieving more goals as the years go by, but so thankful and unbelievably blessed for everything that’s come my way so far.”

Gratitude is a significant aspect of Mae Estes. She openly expressed thanks to everyone who supports their favorite local/independent artist. “We truly live off your generosity of sharing our posts, liking our posts, streaming our music, buying our music, buying tickets to our shows and being in the audience, buying merchandise, or telling your friends. Thank you for playing such a big part in the music industry!”

So, what wisdom would Mae share with a young person who aspired to follow their passion of music? “I would tell them that if they had 100% thought through all the possible things that could (and probably will) go wrong and they still want to chase that dream without a doubt – then give it all they’ve got and go for it! Making a musical passion your career isn’t for everyone and everyone should decide that for themselves. It’s harder to maintain the organic joy music brings when you try to monetize it by building a career around it. Just follow your heart and work hard every day.

“I truly believe God won’t tie your soul to a dead-end dream.” (It sounds as if that might just be the catalyst for a great country song …)

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Dreams Don't Work Unless You Do