Mae Estes Discusses C2C Festival 2026, Making Her Ryman Debut with Ella Langley and More

As she gears up for her keenly anticipated trip across The Pond to perform at C2C Festival 2026, Mae Estes sits down with Holler to shed light on her creative process, as well as touching on her momentous Ryman debut with Ella Langley last year.

The Arkansas native has been a highly respected figure in the Music City scene for a number of years now, with Estes’ vibrant, evocative songwriting style combining with her ear for an irresistible, classic country hook across her blossoming catalogue.

While Estes can seamlessly blur the lines between old-school country music and a more contemporary sound, her heart undoubtedly lies with the former. As Estes’ good friend Zach Top continues to invite a national spotlight onto this neo-traditional resurgence, artists like Estes and Emily Ann Roberts are poised for a blockbuster year.

Across her latest self-titled EP - which hopefully lays the foundation for her long-awaited debut album - Estes showcases her sinuous vocals and penchant for sleek, conversational narratives on the likes of ‘Drunk On That’ and ‘What She's Havin’, as well as demonstrating her wit and playfulness on the honky-tonkin’ ‘Mountain Of A Man’.

It's evident from listening just how deeply influenced the ‘Mr. Fix It’ crooner has been by ‘70s and ‘80s country, with Estes citing one iconic artist in particular as her touchstone.

Estes begins by musing, “There are so many!!!”, before underlining, “Loretta Lynn is one of my biggest inspirations. She wrote about the world as she saw it. She was unfiltered, genuine, authentic, and her charm seemed contagious. I really believed something when she was singing it and that’s inspired me in my own career”.

Estes goes on, “I’ve been singing ‘Don’t Come Home a Drinkin’ for as long as I can remember”, joking, “And definitely long before it was age-appropriate for me to be singing it!”

The prolific singer-songwriter chooses “You ain’t woman enough to take my man” as her favourite lyric, praising “how honest and direct and clear it is. Also makes you raise your eyebrows a little, which I love”, before explaining that her fan-favourite offering, ‘Thinkin Bout Cheatin’, originated from hearing that classic Loretta line.

You can hear Loretta's touch on the beautifully sepia-tinged ballad, ‘What She's Havin’, from the latest EP. Estes reflects, “I have always loved the song, but when looking for a “hit” to release, it always felt too sad or slow. It’s such a huge goal accomplished to have gotten to include it on my latest EP. I wrote this song with Faren Rachels and Aaron Goodvin. Faren brought the idea in and was living the story at the time. Though happily married, it was easy for me to channel the loneliness of the narrator in the story, longing for something she so desperately wants”.

The country up-and-comer expands, “I think it stands out with listeners because of the honesty and vulnerability. It’s not fun to admit you’re jealous of someone else, but it’s a battle we all face at some point. It was so fun to bring the visual I’ve had in my head to life with the music video for this one! I’ve been dreaming it up for years!”

Elsewhere in the interview, Estes assesses the state of modern country music, and pays tribute to the return of neo-traditional artists, “Acknowledging patterns of history and the trailblazers that came before us is important to me. Long before writing my first song or releasing my own music, I was a dedicated country music fan, who felt understood and seen by pioneers of the genre, who’s honest and authentic interpretation still rings true in so many ways even decades later”.

The ‘What I Shoulda Done’ crooner stresses, “My goal is to make timeless music like they did, so I study what makes something “classic” in my opinion and uncontrollably add my own modern and unique flair as I grew up in a very different time than most of those legends. I welcome all kinds of kinds into the country music genre, but have a personal obsession with the traditional components. I’ve encountered the “too country for country” argument in the past, so it’s exciting to see a resurgence in commercial demand for the kind of music I make and love!”

One contemporary trailblazer who is undoubtedly flying the flag for a classic country sound, while still making it feel fresh and modern, is Ella Langley. The Alabama native recently earned her first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 with the monster hit, ’Choosin’ Texas’, and linked up with Estes at the hallowed Ryman shortly before Christmas.

Estes quips, “I joke that I owe Ella my first born child after that opportunity. I still can’t believe I got to do that - Ryman debut, first standing ovation, sold out crowd for a headliner I respect immensely. Dream”, before highlighting how, in today's scene, there's a heartwarming feeling of fellowship among country music's leading ladies.

Estes explains, “There truly is a great sense of camaraderie in the female community of country music. Not everyone participates, but that’s true of all things, and I’m grateful to have found a community of women who see a win for one of us as a win for all”.

She outlines, “I gravitate towards the women who know their power is in their unique abilities and that keeps the jealousy and comparison at bay. Nothing is more fun than watching you friends win and supporting each other through the good and bad times”.

Estes name-checks an array of women in country that are currently crushing it alongside her, “A few of my fellow female country artists, favorite supporters and friends I’m proud to know are - Ella Langley, Emily Ann Roberts, Brit Taylor, SJ McDonald, Kaylin Roberson, Meg McRee, Jenny Tolman, Britnee Kellogg, Tenille Townes, Ashley McBryde, Caylee Hammack, Shelly Fairchild, Sister Sadie, and so many more!”

Next month, Estes will bring her trademark neo-traditional sound worldwide, performing in Rotterdam and London as part of C2C Netherlands and C2C Festival respectively.

“I’ve been dreaming of getting to play C2C for years!” Estes gushes, “I’ve traveled internationally for a few other opportunities, so I know how special the crowds are across the pond. I’m so excited to share songs and stories with folks who love country music like I do! I’m definitely a little nervous about navigating all of the travel, but know it’s certain to be an adventurous time with some magical memories to bring home! Just having my name on the poster means a whole lot”.

After teasing that C2C attendees can look forward to hearing her play a new unreleased gem, ‘Jukebox’, Estes hints at much more to come throughout 2026, “It’s no secret, I’ve been dreaming of making my debut album my whole life! I am in a season of letting God take the reigns with a lot of my timeline (since He’s had them the whole time anyway) and I’m excited to see if this is the year that specific dream comes to life and what other beautiful unexpected things are on the way. There’s no shortage of honest country music coming your way, I can say that”.

After how much we loved her stellar 2025 EP, we certainly can't wait to hear what else Estes has in store for her loyal - and brilliantly named - “Maeniac” fanbase this year.

Mae Estes performs at C2C Festival 2026 this March.