Catching Up with Mackenzie Carpenter at Country Radio Seminar: A Rising Star's Big Year
The energy at Country Radio Seminar in Nashville is always electric, but this year, there was an undeniable buzz surrounding country music riser Mackenzie Carpenter. With her debut album Hey Country Queen set for release on March 7 via The Valory Music Co. and a fiery new duet with Midland making waves, Carpenter is on the brink of something special.
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Debut Album Excitement
"Hey Country Queen is just around the corner. There’s going to be 13 tracks on it. I am really excited for it to be out in the world. I named it Hey Country Queen because I feel like it is my official introduction to saying hey to all the country queens out there." Songs like the cheeky "Don't Mess With Exes" and "Boots On" will make an appearance, as well as songs that will no doubt become hits.
Carpenter’s long-awaited full-length debut promises a blend of full-hearted sincerity and fun-loving humor, a signature she has perfected. Loaded with standout tracks like the mesmerizing “Red Wine Blue” (which, fun fact, she wrote on piano after Dolly Parton suggested the song title in a dream), this album is shaping up to be a knockout.
However it is the song at the number 10 spot "Cowgirl Like Me," that she wrote with her brother Micah Carpenter as well as Lauren LaRue, that is the most anticipated. Mackenzie is a co-writer on each of the 13 tracks, showcasing that she can be a queen on stage and with a pen. Hey Country Queen is bound to be one of the year’s most compelling country albums.
A Honky-Tonk Hit with Midland
One of the most talked-about tracks from Carpenter’s recent run is “I Wish You Would,” her duet with Midland. The song, a flirtatious, honky-tonk-infused anthem, transports listeners straight to a neon-lit dive bar where two strangers trade knowing glances and hesitate just long enough to build anticipation.
"It has been such a fun rollout. I actually just got back from New York City—we were on a billboard in Times Square, which was my first-ever Billboard moment, and it was so cool to see. So, you know, it's just been really exciting."
Co-written with Jonathan Hutcherson, Jamie Moore, and Chris Tompkins, the track plays to the strengths of both Carpenter and Midland. Carpenter’s bright, expressive delivery pairs seamlessly with Mark Wystrach’s velvety baritone, creating a dynamic vocal interplay reminiscent of classic country duets. The blend of traditional pedal steel, steady rhythms, and undeniable chemistry recalls the golden era of country collaborations, bringing to mind legendary pairings like Conway & Loretta or Tim & Faith.
As Carpenter’s Hey Country Queen era kicks into high gear, there’s no doubt she’s poised to make a lasting mark. Whether she’s serving up stadium-ready anthems or heartfelt ballads, one thing is certain—Mackenzie Carpenter is ready to claim her crown.