Fresh off being named Billboard’s Country Rookie of the Month in Nov. and the release of his acclaimed third studio album Southern Spectacle in Oct., rising country singer/songwriter Adam Mac delivered true Southern spectacle last night with a sold-out hometown performance at The Loft in Russellville, KY to celebrate his new album’s release.
The show marked a full-circle moment for the Kentucky native as the appearance was his first performance in his conservative hometown since being scheduled to headline the Logan County Tobacco and Heritage Festival in 2023 when he withdrew from the festival following backlash from local pastors which sparked national headlines and inspired his latest album. A portion of proceeds from last night’s ticket sales went to the local Isaiah 117 House, a safe and home-like place for children entering the foster care system.
His strength in the face of hate drew support from fans, hometown friends and celebrities alike – including Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini and Brandy Clark. And he was greeted by that same love and support last night with a packed room of family, friends, longtime supporters and new fans. The man dubbed “country music’s very own Elton John” by PEOPLE, turned The Loft into a joyful, glitter and sequin-soaked homecoming celebrating the very roots that shaped his story.
Holler previously noted that “it’s no wonder his fans have started calling him ‘cowBoy George,’” and Tuesday night, Mac lived up to the reputation pairing spectacular showmanship with the heartfelt vulnerability that defines Southern Spectacle. The set featured album standouts including “Old Photograph,” which he performed during his national TV debut on The Kelly Clarkson Show in Oct., as well as fan favorites “All Dollars, No Sense,” title track “Southern Spectacle,” “Dust Off Your Boots,” and his breakout hit “Disco Cowboy.”
Declared “fearless” by Pride.com, Mac continues to carve out his own lane in country music, fusing rich Southern storytelling with modern pop energy and unapologetic self-expression. Southern Spectacle, produced by Jason Mater with additional production by Sean Trainor, Warren Riker and HALLIE, has been praised for its boldness and honesty, with Billboard calling “All Dollars, No Sense” a “must-hear” and Pride.com celebrating the track as “the definition of queer joy,” while Entertainment Focus called the album “a fearless fusion of country, pop and pride” and Rainbow Rodeo declared “if there’s one queer record that needs to make every year-end list, it’s this one.” Listen to Southern Spectacle Below.
“Coming back to my hometown to share the album inspired by what happened here in 2023 was so healing,” said Mac. “That moment showed me both the work still to be done as queer artists and the power of continuing to show up as your most authentic self. To stand on a stage in my hometown last night, with a sold-out crowd cheering on all this Southern Spectacle, is a testament to how far we’ve come and where we’re going.”
Raised in Russellville as a church-and-farm kid who adored The Spice Girls and Shania Twain, Mac long felt like an outsider in his conservative community. His path toward embracing his identity and his distinctive artistry became the core of Southern Spectacle, a project he describes as “bold, vulnerable and the most authentic I’ve ever been on a record.” The album builds on the world introduced with his breakthrough Disco Cowboy era, blending vocal soul, dancefloor-ready country-pop, and vibrant self-acceptance.
Last night’s sold-out hometown show not only celebrated his return but also underscored Mac’s growing influence as a visible queer voice in modern country. With his magnetic presence, signature flair and message of joy, he continues to prove that there is room for every kind of story within the genre.
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Photo Credit: Ford Fairchild
