The married country duo's debut album features 16 tracks, including "Happy Ever After You," original collaborations, and a cover from Grease.
Written by Amanda Tempel
Published: November 13, 2026
Thelma & James, the country music duo consisting of husband-and-wife singer-songwriters MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge, will release their debut studio album, Whiplash, on January 29, 2027, through Big Loud Records.
Produced by Lonas, the 16-track project includes their breakout song "Happy Ever After You," along with "If You Ain't In Love By Now," "The Way That It Wasn't," and the title track. The album features songwriting collaborations with Hillary Lindsey, Josh Osborne, Ruston Kelly, and several other Nashville writers.
About the Album
The story behind Whiplash began when Porter and Etheridge unexpectedly returned to writing music together after nearly a decade.
Their songwriting session produced "Happy Ever After You," which attracted widespread attention and ultimately led the married couple to pursue music together as Thelma & James.
"We weren't trying to start a band, we were just writing a song, just kind of doing what we love," the duo shared while reflecting on the experience.
That collaboration developed into a musical partnership that brought the couple their first ACM and CMA Award nominations, along with an opportunity to perform in stadiums as part of Luke Combs' My Kinda Saturday Night Tour.
The duo co-wrote 15 of the 16 songs on Whiplash. The exception is their interpretation of "You're the One That I Want," originally written by John Farrar for the 1978 film Grease.
Other songs on the album include "Alternate Ending," "About Time," "Let Me Remind You," and "Home In Your Broken Heart."
Whiplash Album Details
Artist: Thelma & James
Album: Whiplash
Release Date: January 29, 2027
Record Label: Big Loud Records
Producer: Lonas
Number of Tracks: 16
Pre-save Whiplash and find album information here.
Whiplash Tracklist and Songwriting Credits
I Can't Stop Thinking About You (Intro)
MacKenzie Porter, Jake Etheridge, Jordan Minton, Jordan ReynoldsWhiplash
MacKenzie Porter, Jake Etheridge, Ruston KellyHappy Ever After You
MacKenzie Porter, Jake EtheridgeAlternate Ending
Mags Duval, Jake Etheridge, Josh Jenkins, MacKenzie PorterGood By Now
MacKenzie Porter, Jake Etheridge, Casey Brown, Parker WellingAbout Time
MacKenzie Porter, Jake Etheridge, Mags Duval, Josh JenkinsHome In Your Broken Heart
Jake Etheridge, MacKenzie Porter, Cary Barlowe, Hillary LindseyDrink Responsibly
MacKenzie Porter, Jake Etheridge, Josh KearYou're the One That I Want
John FarrarFirst Love
Jake Etheridge, Lauren Hungate, MacKenzie PorterShithole
MacKenzie Porter, Jake Etheridge, Louis Johnson, Hank ComptonIf You Ain't In Love By Now
Jake Etheridge, Pete Good, Josh Osborne, MacKenzie PorterLet Me Remind You
MacKenzie Porter, Jake Etheridge, Joey HendricksChainsmokin Memories
Jake Etheridge, Jordan Minton, MacKenzie Porter, Jordan Reynolds, Parker WellingThe Way That It Wasn't
MacKenzie Porter, Jordan Critz, Jake Etheridge, Josh JenkinsCanaries in a Coal Mine
Jake Etheridge, Josh Osborne, MacKenzie Porter, Scott Stepakoff
About Thelma & James
Thelma & James formed after MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge rediscovered their songwriting partnership through "Happy Ever After You." The two Nashville-based artists signed with Big Loud Records in 2025.
Their debut EP, Starting Over, earned Alternative Country Album of the Year at the 2026 Canadian Country Music Association Awards, while "Parking Lot Prayers" received Video of the Year.
The duo also earned a nomination for Duo of the Year at the 2026 ACM Awards and Vocal Duo of the Year at the 2026 CMA Awards.
Whiplash marks their first full-length studio project together.