Maddie & Tae
{{short description|American female country music duo}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Maddie & Tae
| image = Maddie & Tae in 2014 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Maddie Font (left) and Tae Kerr (right) in 2014
| origin = Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
| genre = Country
| years_active = 2014–present
| label = Mercury Nashville
| current_members = {{hlist|Maddie Font|Tae Kerr}}
}}
Maddie & Tae are an American female country music duo composed of Maddie Font (née Marlow) and Taylor "Tae" Kerr (née Dye),{{cite web | url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/country-stars-maddie-tae-on-touring-with-brad-paisley-and-new-fashion-line/ | title=Country stars Maddie & Tae on touring with Brad Paisley and new fashion line| date= September 29, 2016| publisher = CBS News |quote= CBS caught up with Madison Marlow and Taylor Dye at the launch event to talk about their youthful clothing line| access-date= 2016-11-10}} both of whom are singers, songwriters, and guitarists. The duo was signed to the revived Dot Records in 2014.{{cite web|last1=Lee|first1=Linda|title=Math Just Does Not Add Up For Maddie & Tae! [Podcast]|url=http://wycd.cbslocal.com/2014/11/12/math-just-does-not-add-up-for-maddie-tae-podcast/|publisher=WYCD|access-date=November 21, 2014|date=November 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141118111346/http://wycd.cbslocal.com/2014/11/12/math-just-does-not-add-up-for-maddie-tae-podcast/|archive-date=November 18, 2014|url-status=dead}} Their debut album, Start Here, was released on August 28, 2015, and includes the singles "Girl in a Country Song", "Fly", "Shut Up and Fish", and "Sierra". Following the closure of Dot, they signed to Mercury Nashville in 2018. They released their second studio album The Way It Feels for this label in April 2020, and the first part of their third studio album, Through The Madness in 2022.
Career
=2010–2016: Early beginnings and ''Start Here''=
In 2010, Maddie Marlow and Tae Dye were both going to the same vocal coach and met at a showcase in Dallas. Within the year, the duo were going back and forth to Nashville every weekend while still going to school.{{cite web|author=Jill Menze |url=http://www.teenvogue.com/story/maddie-and-tae-start-here-album-interview |title=Meet Maddie & Tae, Nashville's Newest Sensation |publisher=Teen Vogue |date=2015-08-05 |access-date=2016-04-27}} They first performed under the name Sweet Aliana. After finishing high school, the duo moved to Nashville, to begin their musical career as Maddie & Tae.{{cite web|url=http://www.maddieandtae.com/about/ |title=About |work=Maddie & Tae official website |access-date=14 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140814183514/http://www.maddieandtae.com/about/ |archive-date=14 August 2014 }} In 2014, Big Machine Records revived the Dot Records name for a new imprint. Maddie & Tae were confirmed as the first signees of the label in June 2014.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/exclusive-dot-records-signs-duo-maddie-tae-as-first-act-20140601|title=Exclusive: Dot Records Signs Duo Maddie & Tae as First Act|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=June 2014|access-date=3 September 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.roughstock.com/blog/dot-records-signs-maddie-tae-to-recording-contract|title=Dot Records Signs Maddie & Tae To Recording Contract
|access-date=February 4, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714212321/http://www.roughstock.com/blog/dot-records-signs-maddie-tae-to-recording-contract |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }}
They wrote their debut single, "Girl in a Country Song", with Aaron Scherz, who co-produced it with Dann Huff. The song is a criticism of the then-contemporary bro-country trend.{{cite web|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/07/girl-in-a-country-song-maddie-marlow-and-tae-dye-the-bro-country-backlash-starts-now/373982/|title=The Bro-Country Backlash Is Here|author=Gina Dalfonzo|work=The Atlantic|date=7 July 2014|access-date=3 September 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.roughstock.com/blog/has-the-bro-country-backlash-begun- |title=Has the Bro-Country "Backlash" Begun?|access-date=February 4, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714212835/http://www.roughstock.com/blog/has-the-bro-country-backlash-begun- |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }} "Girl in a Country Song" debuted at number 58 on the Country Airplay chart dated for the week ending July 19, 2014.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6150343/chart-highlights-usher-lands-lucky-13th-no-1-on-rbhip-hop|title=Chart Highlights: Usher Lands Lucky 13th No. 1 On R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay|magazine=Billboard|access-date=3 September 2015}} After 23 weeks, it reached number 1 for the chart dated December 20, 2014, becoming the first debut single by a female duo to reach number one since The Wreckers did it in 2006 with "Leave the Pieces", and only the second in history.{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6386054/chart-highlights-maddie-tae-girls-in-a-no-1-country-song|title=Chart Highlights: Maddie & Tae, Girls in a No. 1 Country Song|author=Gary Trust and Wade Jessen|date=December 8, 2014|publisher=Billboard.com|access-date=December 18, 2014}} Maddie & Tae released their self-titled EP on November 4, 2014. It featured "Girl in a Country Song" as well as three new tracks: "Sierra", "Fly", and "Your Side of Town".
"Fly" was released on January 26, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://newsok.com/listen-maddie-tae-release-new-single-fly/article/5381984|title=Listen: Maddie & Tae release new single "Fly"|work=NewsOK.com|access-date=3 September 2015}} It made its television debut when they performed the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/watch-maddie-and-tae-debut-empowering-fly-on-the-tonight-show-20150126|title=Maddie and Tae Perform New Song 'Fly' on 'The Tonight Show'|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=26 January 2015|access-date=3 September 2015}} Their debut album, Start Here, was released on August 28, 2015. By October 2015, the song had become a Top 10 hit on both Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay. The duo co-wrote the track "Boomerang" on Jana Kramer's late 2015 album Thirty One.{{cite journal|last=Paxman|first=Bob|date=October 19, 2015|title=Reviews: Jana Kramer - Thirty One|journal=Nash Country Weekly|volume=22|issue=42|page=23|issn=2379-9137}} The album's third single, "Shut Up and Fish" released to country radio on November 2, 2015. The album's fourth single, "Sierra", was released to country radio in 2016.
Maddie and Tae guest-starred on the Disney Channel show Girl Meets World in an episode entitled "Girl Meets Texas, Part 2", which premiered on October 17, 2015.{{cite web |last1=McClellan |first1=Laura |title=Maddie & Tae to Cameo on Disney Channel's 'Girl Meets World' |url=http://tasteofcountry.com/maddie-tae-girl-meets-world/ |website=Taste of Country |date=16 October 2015 |access-date=19 December 2018 |language=en}} They performed at The O2 Arena, on the main stage of the C2C: Country to Country festival in March 2016 – their first visit to the UK.{{cite web|url=https://www.entertainment-focus.com/music-section/music-reviews/live/c2c-country-to-country-2016-maddie-tae-live-review/|title=C2C: Country to Country 2016 – Maddie & Tae live review|date=12 March 2016}} They released a fashion line in collaboration with Bloomingdales in late 2016.{{cite web|last1=Thompson|first1=Gayle|title=Maddie & Tae Are 'So Anxious' to Release Their Sophomore Album|url=http://theboot.com/maddie-and-tae-new-music-2017/|website=The Boot|date=19 February 2017 |access-date=31 March 2017}}
=2017–present: ''The Way It Feels'' and EP releases=
In early 2017, Maddie and Tae appeared on Forbes' 30 Under 30 - Music list at #20.{{cite web|last1=Bonaguro|first1=Alison|title=Kelsea Ballerini Named No. 2 Forbes' "30 Under 30" List|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1775317/kelsea-ballerini-named-no-2-forbes-30-under-30-list/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105062545/http://www.cmt.com/news/1775317/kelsea-ballerini-named-no-2-forbes-30-under-30-list/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 5, 2017|website=CMT News}}{{cite web|title=Maddie & Tae|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/maddie-tae/|website=Forbes|access-date=5 January 2017}} They received two nominations for the 52nd annual Academy of Country Music Awards, including Vocal Duo of the Year.{{cite web|title=Nominees |url=http://www.acmawards.com/nominees |website=The ACM Awards |access-date=28 March 2017 |language=en |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308114318/http://www.acmawards.com/nominees |archive-date=8 March 2016 }} In June 2017, it was announced that Maddie and Tae had signed with UMG Nashville following the closing of Dot Records.{{cite web|last1=Thompson|first1=Gayle|title=Maddie & Tae Have Signed With UMG Nashville|url=http://theboot.com/maddie-and-tae-umg-nashville/|website=The Boot|date=10 June 2017 |access-date=10 June 2017}}
In early 2018, Maddie & Tae signed with Mercury Nashville and released the single "Friends Don't."{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/8459385/maddie-tae-start-friends-dont | title=Maddie & Tae Start An Evolution With Mercury Debut, 'Friends Don't' | magazine=Billboard | date=June 5, 2018 | access-date=October 17, 2018}} It has since peaked at number 33 on the Billboard Country Airplay charts. In October 2018, the duo released another new song, "Die from a Broken Heart",{{cite web|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/die-from-a-broken-heart/1438573467|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020223859/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/die-from-a-broken-heart/1438573467|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 20, 2018|title=Die From A Broken Heart by Maddie & Tae on Apple Music|website=Apple Music|access-date=October 20, 2018}} and it sold 7,000 in its first week.{{Cite news|url=http://roughstock.com/news/2018/11/43496-top-30-digital-country-singles-chart-november-7-2018|title=Top 30 Digital Country Singles Chart: November 7, 2018|work=RoughStock|access-date=November 8, 2018}} The song has reached a peak of number 2 on the US Country Chart and number 1 on Country Airplay chart. This makes the duo's first number one since their debut single. The duo is an opening act on Carrie Underwood's Cry Pretty Tour 360 which began on May 1, 2019.{{cite magazine |last1=Kaufman |first1=Gil |title=Carrie Underwood Announces The Cry Pretty Tour 360 With All-Female Bill: See the Dates |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/8469238/carrie-underwood-announces-tour-dates-2019 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=19 December 2018}} In March 2019, the duo released another promotional single entitled "Tourist in This Town."{{cite web |last1=Despres |first1=Tricia |title=Maddie & Tae's 'Tourist in This Town' Confronts Past Pain |url=https://tasteofcountry.com/maddie-and-tae-tourist-in-this-town/ |website=Taste of Country |date=March 2019 |access-date=24 April 2019 |language=en}} Their EP One Heart to Another was released on April 26, 2019.{{cite web |last1=Kruh |first1=Nancy |title=As New EP Debuts, Maddie & Tae Celebrate Why Carrie Underwood Chose Them for Her Tour |url=https://people.com/country/maddie-and-tae-one-heart-to-another-ep-carrie-underwood-tour/ |website=PEOPLE.com |access-date=1 May 2019 |language=en}}
Their second studio album, The Way It Feels, was released on April 10, 2020.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/maddie-tae-new-album-the-way-it-feels-947605/|title=Maddie & Tae Detail New Album 'The Way It Feels'|last1=Freeman|first1=Jon|date=2020-02-04|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-05}} A Christmas music EP, We Need Christmas, followed on October 23, 2020.{{cite news |last1=Parton |first1=Chris |title=Maddie & Tae Announce 'We Need Christmas' Album |url=https://www.soundslikenashville.com/news/maddie-tae-announce-we-need-christmas/ |access-date=September 21, 2020 |work=Sounds Like Nashville |date=September 21, 2020}} In November 2021, Tae revealed that she and her husband were expecting their first child in the spring of 2022.{{cite web |last=Balagtas |first= Tristan|title=Maddie & Tae's Taylor Dye Is Pregnant! Country Star Expecting Baby Girl with Husband Josh Kerr|url=https://people.com/parents/taylor-dye-is-pregnant-expecting-baby-girl-husband-josh-kerr/ |website=PEOPLE.com |access-date=November 21, 2021}}
The first volume of the pair's third studio album, the EP Through the Madness, Vol. 1, was released on January 28, 2022.{{Cite news |last=Dowling |first=Marcus K. |date=December 14, 2021 |title=Maddie & Tae Reveal New EP Through the Madness Vol. 1 |work=CMT |url=https://www.cmt.com/news/1840062/maddie-tae-reveal-new-ep-through-the-madness-vol-1/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211215003444/http://www.cmt.com/news/1840062/maddie-tae-reveal-new-ep-through-the-madness-vol-1/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 15, 2021 |access-date=June 19, 2022}} That same year, they embarked on their "All Song No Static Tour", with Abbey Cone and Sacha as supporting acts.{{cite web|url= https://www.kixbrooksradio.com/2021/12/14/maddie-tae-are-kicking-off-2022-with-a-tour-and-new-music/|title=Maddie & Tae Are Kicking Off 2022 With a Tour and New Music|date=December 14, 2021|work=Kix Brooks Radio|access-date=August 23, 2023}}
Members
=Maddie Font=
Madison Kay "Maddie" Font (née Marlow){{cite web|url=https://mobile.ascap.com/aceclient/AceClient/#ace/writer/3550600/MARLOW%20MADISON%20KAY|title=ASCAP ACE Search|work=ascap.com|access-date=3 September 2015|archive-date=15 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115083213/https://mobile.ascap.com/aceclient/AceClient/#ace/writer/3550600/MARLOW%20MADISON%20KAY|url-status=dead}} (born July 7, 1995) was raised in Sugar Land, Texas. She graduated from George Ranch High School in 2013.{{cite web|title=2013 GRHS graduate, Maddie Marlow (of Maddie & Tae), is debuting on the Today show this morning! The duo will be singing their hit "Girl in a Country Song".|url=https://www.facebook.com/LamarCISD/posts/2013-grhs-graduate-maddie-marlow-of-maddie-tae-is-debuting-on-the-today-show-thi/778213822220565/|website=Facebook|access-date=January 19, 2024|language=en|date=August 11, 2014}}
She is the duo's lead vocalist and also plays guitar, tambourine and mandolin.
On November 22, 2019, Maddie married Jonah Font after eight years of dating.{{cite web |last=Tracy |first=Brianne |title=Maddie & Tae's Maddie Marlow Marries Jonah Font: All the Details from Their Tennessee Wedding |url=https://people.com/country/maddie-marlow-marries-jonah-font-wedding-photo/ |website=PEOPLE.com |access-date=November 30, 2019 |language=en}} On September 9, 2023, the couple welcomed their first child, a son.{{cite web |last=Sacks|first=Hannah |title=Maddie & Tae's Maddie Marlow Welcomes First Baby, Son Forrest, After Emergency C-Section: 'So In Love' |url=https://people.com/maddie-and-taes-maddie-marlow-font-welcomes-first-baby-with-husband-7775355|website=PEOPLE.com |access-date=January 19, 2024 |language=en}}
=Tae Kerr=
Taylor Elizabeth "Tae" Kerr (née Dye){{cite web|url=https://mobile.ascap.com/aceclient/AceClient/#ace/writer/3700444/DYE%20TAYLOR%20ELIZABETH|title=ASCAP ACE Search|work=ascap.com|access-date=3 September 2015|archive-date=15 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160115083213/https://mobile.ascap.com/aceclient/AceClient/#ace/writer/3700444/DYE%20TAYLOR%20ELIZABETH|url-status=dead}} (born September 18, 1995) was raised in Ada, Oklahoma. She has two older brothers, one of whom is actor Mason Dye.{{cite web |title=Maddie & Tae Have a Close Connection To This Season of Stranger Things |url=https://pressroom.umgnashville.com/news/maddie-tae-have-a-close-connection-to-this-season-of-stranger-things/|website=UMG Nashville|access-date=January 19, 2024|language=en}} She graduated from Silo High School in 2013.
She is the duo's harmony vocalist and also plays left-handed guitar and piano. She also occasionally sings lead vocals.
On February 21, 2020, Tae married songwriter Josh Kerr after over a year of dating.{{cite web |last=Mauch |first=Ally |title=They're Married! Maddie & Tae's Taylor Dye Weds Josh Kerr|url=https://people.com/country/taylor-dye-marries-josh-kerr/ |website=PEOPLE.com |access-date=February 22, 2020}} On January 17, 2022, they welcomed their first child, a daughter, who was born three months early.{{cite web |last=Rice |first= Nicholas |title=Maddie & Tae's Taylor Dye Gives Birth to First Baby with Husband Josh Kerr 3 Months Early|url=https://people.com/parents/maddie-tae-taylor-dye-gives-birth-to-first-baby-3-months-early/ |website=PEOPLE.com |access-date=January 17, 2022}} In June 2024, the couple announced that they are expecting their second child, a boy.{{cite web |last=Sacks |first= Hannah |title=Maddie & Tae's Taylor Dye Expecting Baby No. 2 with Husband Josh Kerr: 'Couldn't Be More Excited'|url=https://people.com/maddie-and-tae-s-taylor-dye-expecting-baby-no-2-with-husband-josh-kerr-8661737 |website=PEOPLE.com |access-date=July 13, 2024}} On October 29, 2024, their son was born.{{cite web|url= https://people.com/maddie-and-tae-s-taylor-dye-welcomes-second-baby-with-husband-josh-kerr-8745210|title=Maddie & Tae's Taylor Dye Welcomes Second Baby with Husband Josh Kerr: 'Absolutely in Love' (Exclusive)|author=Hannah Sacks|magazine=People|date=November 14, 2024|access-date=January 4, 2025}}
Discography
{{main|Maddie & Tae discography}}
Studio albums
Tours
Headlining
- Start Here Tour (2015){{cite news|title=Maddie & Tae Announce Fall Headlining Tour|url=http://theboot.com/maddie-and-tae-start-here-tour-dates/|access-date=11 December 2017|work=The Boot|date=25 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821035140/http://theboot.com/maddie-and-tae-start-here-tour-dates/|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 August 2015}}
- Tourist in This Town Tour (2020){{cite news|title=Maddie & Tae Headline Tourist in This Town Tour!|url=https://www.maddieandtae.com/news/maddie-tae-headline-tourist-town-tour|access-date=14 January 2020|work=Maddie & Tae Official Website|date=14 January 2020}}
- All Song No Static Tour (2022){{cite news|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1844634/maddie-tae-reveal-rescheduled-cmt-next-women-of-country-tour-presents-all-song-no-static-tour/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425175209/http://www.cmt.com/news/1844634/maddie-tae-reveal-rescheduled-cmt-next-women-of-country-tour-presents-all-song-no-static-tour/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 25, 2022|title=Maddie & Tae Reveal Rescheduled CMT Next Women of Country Tour Presents: All Song No Static Tour }}
Supporting
- Sounds of Summer Tour (2015) with Dierks Bentley, Kip Moore, & Canaan Smith
- Life Amplified World Tour (2016) with Brad Paisley and Tyler Farr
- Storyteller Tour: Stories in the Round (2016) with Carrie Underwood and Little Big Town and Sam Hunt
- Cry Pretty Tour 360 (2019) with Carrie Underwood and Runaway June
Accolades
| class="wikitable"
|+ Awards received by Maddie & Tae | ||||
| Award | Year | Recipient | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country Music Association Awards | 2015 | "Girl in a Country Song" Maddie & Tae | Music Video of the Year | Won |
| CMT Music Awards | 2022 | Maddie & Tae "Woman You Got" | Duo/Group Video of the Year | Won |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Maddie & Tae|state=expanded}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maddie and Tae}}
Category:American country music duos
Category:Country music groups from Tennessee
Category:Musical groups from Nashville, Tennessee
Category:Musical groups established in 2014
Category:2014 establishments in Tennessee
Category:Mercury Records artists
Category:Year of birth missing (living people)