Adam Mac is a rising force in queer country music who has been working to make a name for himself in the industry for over a decade. Now, it seems his hard work is finally paying off as he prepares to release his fourth full-length album, Southern Spectacle, amidst some of his greatest commercial success. His recently released 2024 breakout single, “Dust Off Your Boots,” launched the Kentucky native into the spotlight and even sparked a nationwide TikTok line dancing trend. The song also was featured in the hugely popular video game Fortnite. The funky, high-energy track also held the no. 1 spot on CMT’s 12 Pack Countdown for six consecutive weeks, and will fittingly be featured on the upcoming album. The song has become a smash hit that gave listeners a little taste of what they can expect to hear on the full-length project.
While Southern Spectacle definitely continues Mac’s streak of high-energy, danceable country songs, it also leans into more reflective moments that allow his artistry to truly shine. Tracks like “Old Photograph” stand out as emotional highlights, offering a powerful counterpoint to the album’s upbeat numbers. These slower ballads are reminiscent of the genre’s most iconic country classics — proof that Mac knows how to balance fun with feeling.
The contrast between lively, dance-floor-ready anthems and introspective storytelling gives the album emotional depth and a sense of authenticity. It’s a journey that mirrors real life — from joyful highs to painful lows — and Mac captures that range beautifully. As a whole, Southern Spectacle is sure to tug at heartstrings and leave a lasting impression on listeners this fall.
Fans of country music — whether they’re drawn to high-energy anthems or heartfelt storytelling — won’t want to miss Southern Spectacle. In an era where queer country artists are finally gaining more visibility, Adam Mac stands out as a powerful reminder that LGBTQ voices not only belong in the genre, but are also shaping its future. With this album, he proves that queer artists can craft songs just as compelling, authentic, and memorable as the straight counterparts who have for so long dominated the scene.
So recently you have had some big commercial successes, but I heard that it has been a long time, trying for about a decade for you to make it in country music. How does it feel to be releasing your new album Southern Spectacle amidst all your recent success?
Adam Mac: It feels like an arrival. Although I have actually been in Nashville now for 13 years, I spent a lot of that time trying to figure out myself. I mean that both personally and professionally. There were a lot of thoughts like “Could I actually be an artist?” That was a common struggle especially when I first moved to Nashville as there were not many openly queer artists in the country music space. It’s been a really long journey but now to be putting out Southern Spectacle feels like a fully realized version of what I always dreamt of it being. It’s the most authentic and most honestly queer country perspective.
You had a ton of queer songwriters assist you with creating these songs. How do you think having so many LGBTQ voices helped to shape these lyrics to become what they are?
AM: It truly was everything. I made a conscious choice with this project to make sure I was never the only queer person in the room. I just wanted to make sure I was not the only queer voice being heard on this project. All of these songwriters really brought something to these songs with their own unique perspective and I am so grateful they helped shape the songs on this album to be the best and most honest they could be.
So many songs on this album really have a deeply poignant sound. Were there any that, once you were writing it, you could tell right away that it has a lot of heart and you can see it really having an impact on people?
AM: “Dust Off Your Boots” is the first one that comes to mind. This was the song that really catapulted everything in my career and when we were writing that song, as soon as we hit the chorus, we knew that we had something special. Even when I teased it online there was like an immediate huge reaction and it became my most streamed song. Another one I will say would be the title track, “Southern Spectacle.” When we were writing it we felt like we were creating something magical that was autobiographical in a lot of ways. It felt timely for some things I was facing at the time so it just felt so personal, and there could be a positive impact for people with that track.
This album has such a cozy and reflective vibe. Why do you think this is the most perfect album for people to add to their fall playlist?
AM: It really has a bit of everything that takes you through so much of life. There are definitely some darker and sultry more upbeat vibes and then there definitely is some more emotional and reflective moments like on “The Outside” featuring Chris Housman and “Daydream,” those songs really are like the heart of the album and those definitely feel like perfect tracks for this time of year.
So one song that really stood out from the project was “Old Photograph.” It was just so honest and touching. Can you talk about the story behind this track and maybe a little about the day you wrote it?
AM: The song actually is fully 100 percent a true story. I was just going through some old picture frames and changing out some photos. I then pulled some photos and found some of my then boyfriend and his ex. It was really a moment when I thought to myself that an unhealed version of myself could have definitely spiraled and been upset. Instead though my thought now with being married was we could have never worked then the way that we do now.
Then it just got me thinking there is a song in here that kind of tells that story. I think anyone that had love or is in love, will know that it is a common feeling to be like I wish I would have met my person sooner but then you realize if you did meet them sooner, we would not have been the people we need to be for each other.
So quite a few of the songs on your album really do have such an upbeat and fun sound. Was it always a deliberate choice to have some high energy, joyful moments? A lot of country music is known for its emotional ballads that you do also have here but then there’s the contrast of these really funky tracks, which was really exciting and could maybe even be something pop music fans connect with.
AM: It’s the discovery of who I am as an artist that really unfolded. In my last album, Disco Cowboy, there was a true disco side which had songs that felt more funky and a country side that leaned more into traditional country. Now looking back I have noticed I did not know yet how to marry those two worlds yet. With this album we were so deliberate in bringing the joy of funk and disco music that I love so dearly with the storytelling and nostalgia of country music. So the fun songs on this album really are the perfect mix and stories and fun beats you can dance to.
For the past few years now, country music has really been blowing up in the mainstream. We have seen huge artists like Beyoncé make an album with elements of this genre and so many queer country artists emerging, but what makes Southern Spectacle stand out from so many other releases in this genre?
AM: It just feels so authentic especially because I have such a particular queer perspective. I also have a unique musical style that not many people are doing right now. I am not an artist who focuses on what’s going on right now in the genre as a way to stay relevant and that has been my key. I just try to stay focused on what I do and the type of music I want to make and just constantly try to get better as an artist. I really just try to push the barriers that have been set before us in country music.
This genre is famous for its honest storytelling and deep lyrics and that is definitely all evident in Southern Spectacle. While creating these songs was it a challenge to be vulnerable or does it come pretty easy for you?
AM: There really was only one that truly was a challenge. That would be the song “Golden Boy,” which was one I wrote about my personal experience of being the child that could not stack up to my sibling. It was hard seeing my dad had everything in common with them and I had nothing. That one really is such a personal song and it feels like a vulnerability I have never shared before. So that one for me was the one, for I really am being so brutally honest and putting it all out there, which can be scary to do. I also think a lot of queer people with siblings will be able to relate to this song, which is the beauty in releasing music even when it feels scary. It can feel like we will never stack up and achieve all the traditional things our straight siblings will be able to do.
Is there a lyric from a song on this album that you are most excited for people to hear?
AM: I really am tied to the bridge in the song “Daydream.” It’s special for one because it’s the last song I wrote for the album back in February or March but also the bridge of it says “If you don’t polish the stone, how the hell can you shine? You can’t get water from a well that’s run dry. I’ll be a team player a little bit later, I’m just protecting what’s mine.” I feel like with all the turmoil going on in the world now for me it was a little bit of escapism. It really is necessary to kind of water yourself if you want to be the best version of yourself for another human. It just basically means take care of yourself so you can take care of others. It may sound simple but it is really such an important thing to do in life.
Sometimes in the streaming era albums can be neglected by listeners for shorter releases like singles and EPs. Is there a favorite that you hope fans would hear and like from this album?
AM: Honestly, I think it would be “The Outside.” The song is a duet with one of my best friends, Chris Housman, who is also a queer country artist. We wrote the song together and it truly is so powerful to me. The song is meant to empower you to embrace what makes you different. I think, too, specifically queer people have been up against that their whole lives. What I found though is that it’s better on the outside; being at the cool kids table is not always where you are meant to be. It is so cool to have it be the only duet on the project too, so I think I would send people to that one.
