Kobalt announced today the renewal of its worldwide publishing agreement with country star Mae Estes. Estes, who struck her first publishing deal with Plaid Flag Music/Kobalt in 2020, has already racked up more than 13 million streams across all DSPs and millions more across social platforms as an independent artist.
The Arkansas native signed a global recording deal with Big Machine last fall, and is currently in the studio in Nashville working on new music.
“Mae is one of the most exciting new artists to come onto the scene in a very long time,” said Stephanie Cox, General Manager/Senior Vice President of Creative at Kobalt Nashville. “She’s such an authentic songwriter and an important new voice in country music. We’re so happy that Kobalt will remain her home for this exciting new phase of her career.”
Estes got her start at age 7 in the middle of an Arkansas rodeo arena, singing the national anthem. Paying dues in Music City for nearly a decade, <a href="she’s now stacked with stories to tell. In 2019, Estes began releasing music, and a year later, signed her first publishing deal with Plaid Flag Music/Kobalt.
“Thinkin’ ‘Bout Cheatin’” became the first single from her debut EP as well as her first video feature on CMT in 2022. That following year, Estes independently released her debut EP, “Before the Record,” a six-song project produced by hit songwriter Paul Sikes. That same year, Mae was named Arkansas CMA Female Vocalist of the Year for the third time.
“From the very first moment I heard Mae’s voice to the moment I realized what an incredible human <a href="she was – I knew Stephanie Cox was the perfect partner and teammate for Mae,” said Kendall Warren, Mae’s manager. “We are lucky to have Stephanie leading the charge with Mae’s publishing – Stephanie’s the best in the business.”
“When I first got to Nashville, I learned quickly that it was important to find my champions in the music industry and I’m unbelievably grateful to have done just that in partnering with Kendall Warren and Stephanie Cox,” said Estes. “Kendall and I have so much respect and appreciation for Stephanie and the rest of the incredible Kobalt team.
I’m ecstatic to be able to continue to create honest country music I believe in surrounded by some of the best professionals (and humans in general) Music City has to offer.
Estes is currently on tour with her own dates, as well as opening slots for Jamey Johnson, Dierks Bentley and Lainey Wilson.