One Writing Session Changed Everything | Thelma & James
Sometimes a new musical project starts with a carefully mapped-out plan.
Thelma & James started with one night of writing.
Thelma & James, the husband-and-wife duo of MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge, join Heart of the Gulch during CMA Fest 2025.
The Nashville-based husband-and-wife duo brings together two artists who already had careers of their own: country artist MacKenzie Porter and singer-songwriter Jake Etheridge. But when a spontaneous co-writing session produced “Happy Ever After You,” they realized there might be another story for them to tell — this time together.
At CMA Fest 2025, Thelma & James joined Heart of the Gulch to talk about the unexpected beginning of the duo, going viral and what happens when the person who knows you best also becomes your creative partner.
Inside Thelma & James’ Heart of the Gulch Interview
Heart of the Gulch host Tony Mendoza interviews MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge of Thelma & James during CMA Fest 2025.
Welcome to Heart of the Gulch, a Nashville-based interview show and country music platform featuring artists, singer-songwriters and personalities shaping music and entertainment. Host and creator Tony Mendoza sits down with Thelma & James during CMA Fest 2025 to discuss “Happy Ever After You,” “First Love,” their songwriting partnership and the upcoming debut EP.
For MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge, Thelma & James isn’t simply a side project. It has opened a completely different creative lane for both of them.
The Night Thelma & James Began
MacKenzie and Jake already shared a life together. Making music as a duo wasn't necessarily part of the plan.
Then they started writing.
That session produced “Happy Ever After You,” a vulnerable song that ultimately became the foundation for Thelma & James.
MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge discuss how their marriage and individual music careers led to the creation of Thelma & James.
After sharing the music online, the response quickly grew beyond anything they expected. “Happy Ever After You” went viral on TikTok and caught the attention of artists including John Mayer, Brandi Carlile and Luke Combs.
Suddenly, that one night of writing had become something worth pursuing.
Love, Heartache and “First Love”
Being married doesn't mean Thelma & James only write love songs.
Their music explores the complicated territory surrounding relationships — love, heartbreak, vulnerability and everything that can exist between two people.
Their release “First Love” continues that approach, pairing their harmonies with the emotional storytelling that has become central to the duo.
MacKenzie and Jake discuss how writing together has allowed them to explore ideas differently than they might in their individual careers.
Thelma & James discuss the unexpected creation and viral success of their debut single “Happy Ever After You.”
Two Careers Become a Third
That may be the most interesting part of Thelma & James.
MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge haven't abandoned who they are individually. Instead, they've created a third identity that only exists when they're making music together.
Now, with a debut EP on the way, they're discovering how far that unexpected writing session can take them.
Thelma & James may have started almost by accident.
What happens next is very much intentional.
Watch Thelma & James on Heart of the Gulch
Watch the full Thelma & James interview from CMA Fest 2025 as MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge join Tony Mendoza to discuss the unexpected creation of their duo, “Happy Ever After You,” going viral on TikTok, “First Love” and their upcoming debut EP.
Tony Mendoza is the Nashville-based host and creator of Heart of the Gulch, featuring conversations with country artists, singer-songwriters and personalities from Nashville and beyond.
