First New Song In Two Years Takes Off Like a Shot (One That You Probably Shouldn’t Have Done)
NASHVILLE, TN (Mae 3, 2024) – Singer/songwriter Mae Estes today releases her first brand new music in two years, “What I Shoulda Done,” a fast-paced, trouble-making barnburner that finds the Hope, AR native ignoring her better judgement with reckless abandon to make for a wild night out. Available now digitally (via Big Machine Records) “What I Shoulda Done” is full of fiddle, steel guitar and fun storytelling that brings listeners along for the ride, reminiscent of ‘90s Country tunes like “Ain’t Going Down (‘til the Sun Comes Up),” “It’s A Little Too Late,” or “T-R-O-U-B-L-E.”
Written by Estes, Paul Sikes (producer) and Autumn McEntire, “What I Shoulda Done” is a runaway train (sonically and lyrically) that takes off the second Estes starts singing. The high-energy track keeps pace with the lightning-speed at which her bad decisions unfold and doesn’t dare give any room to pause and listen to the angel on her shoulder. With its “don’t tempt me with a good time” vibe, it’s clear that despite knowing drinking, dialing, smoking, fighting and heartbreaking ain’t what she “shoulda done,” it certainly won’t be the last time it happens.
Listen to “What I Shoulda Done” HERE
Watch lyric video for “What I Shoulda Done” HERE
“We pulled a lot from my first four years in Nashville when writing this song. I moved here from a sleepy small town in southwest Arkansas that’s still a dry county. I couldn’t believe the endless amount of honky tonks and opportunities to party when I got here—and I dove right on in. If there was a good time to be had, I was going to find it,” said Mae Estes. “It’s one of my favorites to perform live too—it’s got that 80s and 90s Country vibe and bringing in Joe Spivey to play fiddle on it makes my heart so happy. He played on so many of my heroes’ records like ‘Seminole Wind’ and some of Shania Twain’s early stuff. That electric guitar solo is also probably my favorite solo I’ve got to record so far, James Mitchell absolutely killed it.”
“What I Shoulda Done” is a prime example of how Estes blends classic Country music, storytelling and down-to-earth relatability to create honest yet entertaining music that is all her own. Recently named the AIMP’s 2024 Rising Songwriter-Artist of the Year and to CMT’s 2024 Class of Next Women in Country, Estes is surely “one to watch.”
Estes got her start at just seven years old, performing the national anthem at a rodeo (inspired by LeAnn Rimes’ performance) and subsequently every rodeo and sporting event she competed in after that. In 2015, she moved to Nashville to chase her Country music dream, taking temp jobs, waitressing and even managing a Victoria’s Secret as she continued to hone her craft, which led to her first publishing deal in 2020 and eventually her first record deal with Big Machine Records in 2024.
In addition to working hard on new music, she is out on the road with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Gary Allan and Dierks Bentley. Mae also has a few performances in Nashville coming up at BMI’s Rooftop on the Row (alongside her recent Head Full Of Noise tourmate, Jackson Dean) on May 14, at the Grand Ole Opry on May 16 and at CMA Fest in June. For more information, visit maeestes.com.
ABOUT MAE ESTES:
Hope, Ark. native, Mae Estes, has been paying dues in Music City for over nine years now. Working up to three jobs at a time her first few years in town, she’s stacked with stories to tell. In 2020, Estes signed her first publishing deal with Plaid Flag Music, with advisement from Kobalt Music. She’s since racked up more than 13 million streams across platforms and over 1M views on YouTube, independently and organically building a quickly-growing fan base with her “plain-spoken truth” (The Boot). In 2022, “Thinkin’ Bout Cheatin’” became the first release from her debut EP as well as her first music video feature on CMT. That same year, Mae was honored with Arkansas CMA Female Vocalist of the Year for the second time in her home state. Post-pandemic events such as the NHL Stadium Series, the Grand Ole Opry, PBR Stadium Series, Music City Grand Prix, The Bluebird Cafe, CMA Fest, Nissan Stadium, The Country Music Hall of Fame and more have hosted this “stone-cold country newcomer” (Whiskey Riff). AIMP’s 2024 Rising Songwriter-Artist of the Year winner is one of the key Country females to watch, being named to CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2024 and a slew of artist watch lists (iHeart Media, Wide Open Country, Cowgirl Magazine, Entertainment Focus, Country Now, etc.). Estes prioritizes supporting our servicemen and women, having toured internationally with Armed Forces Entertainment and CreatiVets. Recently signed to Big Machine Records, she recently released her first new song in two years, “What I Shoulda Done” with more new music on the way. To learn more about Mae Estes, visit maeestes.com, and follow Mae Estes on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
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