Maddie & Tae Officially Signed to UMG Nashville
It’s tough enough for female-fronted mainstream artists the days, and it became even tougher for the songwriting duo Maddie & Tae when their division of Big Machine Records was dissolved in a downsizing. The fate of the duo was left in the air after it was announced that Dot Records would be ceasing operations. Some of the artists like Carly Pearce and Tucker Beathard were officially moved to Big Machine proper, but the fate of Drake White, Maddie & Tae, and others was left in the air.
Since Maddie & Tae’s deal was a partnership between Big Machine and the Universal Music Group, it was up to the two labels to decide which one wanted to take on the pair, or if either did. Then the contract would need to be renegotiated with their new home. Apparently out of that, UMG Nashville has decided to continue their representation of Maddie & Tae, and now that’s officially their label home. This information was sent to a select group of fans recently, and has also been confirmed by Taste of Country editor Billy Dukes.
The news comes as Maddie & Tae are scheduled to play Saturday (6-10) afternoon along with other UMG Nashville artists at an official UMG Nashville event called “Music Is Universal” as part of this week’s CMA Fest. No word on what specific branch of UMG Nashville Maddie & Tae will be signed to at the moment (MCA, Mercury, Capitol, or EMI) but the news is welcome relief to the duo’s fans who’ve been worried if they would re-emerge with a deal at all.
Maddie & Tae made a name for themselves with the anti Bro-Country smash hit “Girl in a Country Song” became a #1 in 2014. Since then the mainstream duo has won some fans in the independent and traditional ranks for their more rootsy sound, and for standing up against adding drum machines and other effects to their music.
They recently debuted a new song called “Somebody Else Will,” and say their anxious to release new music, and have written all the new material for a sophomore album themselves. No word as of yet when a new Maddie & Tae album or single may see the light of day.
June 10, 2017 @ 8:33 am
This sounds like good news to me. I hope it works out for them.
June 10, 2017 @ 9:39 am
Fingers crossed for them
June 10, 2017 @ 10:03 am
Best of luck to them! 🙂
June 10, 2017 @ 11:49 am
While I am happy a major label is showing some signs of hope for these two, any word on Drake White’s status? I can’t believe that he’s still just floating out there in limbo after the 2016 he had…
June 10, 2017 @ 3:41 pm
He’s still with Big Machine as evident by his latest single still being promoted by the label.
June 10, 2017 @ 5:13 pm
Shame on Big Machine for leaving Maddie and Tae out of the fold . But typical of the way ” bigtime’ Music Row works …..these young ladies are just too good . Nobody knows what to do with ‘ too good ‘( much less female artists ) …..they’re so used to hearing , pitching and peddling crap down there that they don’t know superior stuff EVEN WHEN ITS SIGNED TO THEIR LABEL . I really hope these young Artists ( with a capital A ) get to mature and hone their writing and vocal gifts .In the end , maybe Big Machine / Dot were the wrong fit for the duo .
June 11, 2017 @ 12:36 am
I partly agree. I think they have potential, but I also think they have some growing up to do before I can be as positive about their music as you are. On the one hand I gotta admit I have a soft spot for cute young girls with a more traditional country sound. On the other hand I really didn’t like their first single at all. It was an obvious marketing gimmick, and it played the gender card. It sounded vaguely like Shania Twain’s “Any Man of Mine”, which was another marketing gimmick that also played the gender card. But mistakes can be forgiven, and I would agree that they seem to have more talent than most of the young artists who get played on country stations these days. I hope they learn not to get caught up in the gimmicks, and just focus on the music.
June 11, 2017 @ 7:45 am
I think you need to listen to the entire album Not only is it refreshingly honest and clever lyrically AND yes age appropriate but the productions spArkle and the arrangements are far more musical than many . Each to his own of course.
June 12, 2017 @ 5:18 am
I saw them perform at CMA fest, and they were really good.
June 10, 2017 @ 6:10 pm
NO ONE CARES
June 10, 2017 @ 6:12 pm
I care. Many of their fans do. Maybe you don’t care but plenty of people love these girls music. Myself included.
June 10, 2017 @ 8:56 pm
What Raymond said.
June 12, 2017 @ 5:47 am
Fuzzy, I hate to say this, but I’m with you. I am not understanding how this differs from all the other stuff you guys make fun of.
June 12, 2017 @ 8:36 am
I can totally understand how someone who may not listen to mainstream country would see little to no difference between Maddie & Tae, and maybe Sam Hunt. But when you really break the music down, they could be more different. That doesn’t mean it’s right for you as a Hayes Carll fan for example, but Rome wasn’t conquered in a day. Obviously there are lots of people who do enjoy Maddie & Tae’s music, and not just in the mainstream. But this isn’t a recommendation of their music. This story was going under-reported, so I decided to report on it.
June 12, 2017 @ 8:25 am
*YOU don’t care. And no, you are not alone. But neither am I, or Raymond, or Megan when we say we do care. Are these gals on the level of Loretta Lynn? Not even close. But are they an enjoyable listen? I, and others, say yes.
June 11, 2017 @ 12:41 am
Doesn’t seem like Big Machine is a good home for young female hopefuls so this is probably a good thing for Maddie & Tae. RaeLynn parted ways with them and she’s been pretty happy ever since.
I’m sure Danielle Bradbery also wants out. Sounds like she’s been extremely frustrated with her situation over the last three years.
June 11, 2017 @ 11:12 am
I’m sure once her new song fails “Sway”. I’m sure her and Big Machine will part ways.
Funfact she hasn’t had a single released to radio in 3 years to radio now
June 13, 2017 @ 12:36 am
Whoever signed off on that song as her comeback single was clearly setting her up for failure.
June 13, 2017 @ 6:27 pm
What happened to Tara Thompson, wasn’t she on Big Machine?
June 15, 2017 @ 4:57 am
She’s still with the label but I have heard nothing about any new music whatsoever
June 12, 2017 @ 7:18 am
I am glad too. I downloaded the album after Trigger gave a it a decent review and actually listened to it for a long time. I’m excited for new music.
June 12, 2017 @ 8:38 am
“Shut Up and Fish” should have been a smash hit.
And seriously, they need to find a better photographer. The lady on the left never looks as good in the publicity stills as she looks in real life. Those photos are making her look older and with a larger face. I never understood (after years of seeing poor photos in every form of media) how a photo like that could be approved. I see it all the time in sports rosters photos.