As long as she can remember, Mattie Rose knew she was destined to be involved in music, somehow, some way. Almost as early as she could talk, she was wowing people with her voice. She started classical training at just eight years-old, and she started writing songs at fifteen.
She followed her musical dreams to Nashville, growing her knowledge of the music business at the esteemed Belmont University, where she learned the importance of collaboration, and while enrolled, released music into the world for the first time.
Now, five years after that release, Rose has headed back to her native Texas to begin the next chapter of her career; a chapter that will include “Neon Has a Way,” a fantastic duet with Brett Pennington, set for release on March 6th.
We chatted with Rose all about “Neon Has a Way,” her big plans for 2026, growth and more!
Pro Country: You’ve said in the past that you were inspired by artists like Patsy Cline, Bonnie Raitt, James Taylor and Keith Whitley. What was it about their sounds and ways of presenting songs that connected with you?
Mattie Rose: They’re such different artists, but the one thing that they have in common is that they’re very authentic and they say exactly what they feel. They’re very honest, especially James Taylor. His songwriting is some of the best, in my opinion. Keith Whitley has a completely different style of writing, but it has the same timbre as Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor. Whether they were singing heartbreak songs or honky tonk songs, they were ready to tell you how it is.
PC: You began taking vocal lessons with a classically-trained opera singer at just eight years-old. What did you like about being able to hone your skills and craft in that way?
MR: When I was a little girl, I was singing all the time. When you’re a kid, you don’t think anything of it. My aunt said that my parents should consider putting me in vocal lessons, because three year-olds don’t sing like that all the time [laughs]. My mom put me in lessons, and I never stopped. Anything I could get my hands on, musically, I did it. I’m so grateful for those classical lessons, because it taught me how to sing big ballads and honky tonk songs without getting tired, and it kept my voice healthy.
In classical and opera, the songs are so well-written and dramatic. That created the persona that I have on stage now, because I’m combining the essence of country music, but also theater and opera.
PC: You mentioned in a previous interview that it wasn’t until you discovered songwriting that you fell in love with being an artist. What was it about writing songs, and expressing yourself in that way, that struck a chord with you?
MR: The first time I sat down and wrote a song was after my dad bought me a guitar. I was 15, and it was called “Change.” It was a euphoric feeling to put my feelings on paper. It felt like taking heartbreak and pain out of my body and putting it into an entity that you can now let go of and move on. I became addicted to that feeling. When I was 16, I thought I was going to write musicals [laughs]. I loved country music, so I tried to write a country song, and I loved it. I’d already been going to Nashville once a year with my Dad for the CMAs, so I was already in love with the country music sphere.
The feeling of being honest and finding a community within songwriting that feels the same way is a nice piece of therapy [laughs].
PC: When did you realize music was something you wanted to, and actually could, pursue as a career?
MR: A part of me has always wanted to do music in some way. It really stood out to me when I moved to Nashville and I realized how many people wanted what I want. I’ve grown to not only want myself to be successful, but to be able to build a team of artists, collaborators and writers. I want to grow a business that brings other people up with me. I want to play the big stages, but I want to bring people with me, because there’s a place for everyone in this industry. When I realized that this is a business, it made me want to do it that much more.
PC: You studied Music Business & Creative Industries at Belmont University. What was it like being surrounded by so many like-minded, talented people at the University?
MR: It’s very intimidating, in the best way. It pushes you to be authentically yourself, because if you’re trying to write to a certain standard, there’s someone else who’s trying to do the same thing. The curriculum and the people there, both students and professors, are pushing you to find your niche. I wrote with people in the pop, rock and hip hop scenes. It helped me be a great collaborator.
I tell people all the time that Belmont is what you make it. If you want to get C’s, get your degree and learn nothing, you definitely can, but if you want to get the most out of it, it’s hard work. Every piece of information that you could ever need about the music industry is there.
PC: You experimented with many genres before going “all-in” on country music in 2020. Can you talk about making that decision and why it felt right to you?
MR: I was a junior in high school, and I was still in a phase of life where I wanted to do what everyone else was doing. You want to go to a big school with a football team, make pop music and audition for The Voice, just to fit in. Around Covid-time, I was stuck with just myself, my parents and my brother in quarantine, and I had to figure out a way to entertain myself without relying on the benefits of other people. I started writing music and told myself, “I like Patsy Cline, and I want to write music like that.” That was the only benefit of Covid for me; it pushed me to be myself, because there was no one around for me to lean on and do what somebody else was doing.
PC: You released your debut single, “Square One,” in late December of 2021. What emotions were you feeling as you were preparing to release music into the world for the first time?
MR: Oh my gosh, I was terrified. I had no idea what I was doing. I think I only posted about it twice. I released it after being in Nashville for four months, and I thought it was going to make me famous [laughs]. There’s so much that goes into releasing music.
I was so excited to release it, though, and I’m still excited about that song, because that’s one of the first songs I was proud of enough to think other people could hear and feel something with. As terrified as I was, I took my dad’s “just do it” advice, and I’m glad I did it, because it set me on the right path.
PC: In January of 2023, you released your debut EP, Whiskey Me Away, which delves into the various stages of grief after a heartbreak. What did you like about presenting a concept EP in that way?
MR: At the time, I was going through a very hard time in life. Those are all self-written songs. I wasn’t co-writing yet, because I was so nervous. As I was writing them, I thought about how Marty Robbins wrote songs that told stories back-to-back. I listened to a bunch of his albums, and I sat down in my dorm room and wrote three of those five songs in one day. I was in a place with the five stages of grief where you realize something is happening, you’re upset about it, it happens, then you’re grieving, and lastly, you’re just mad and getting over it, which is “Whiskey Me Away.” It was a nice to not only be able to grieve the way I was feeling through songs, but to be able to portray them with the amazing studio musicians we had.
PC: Your last single, “Snake,” a song you co-wrote with Kensie Coppin, has become your most-streamed song on streaming platforms since its release. How encouraging has the response been to “Snake” over the last few months?
MR: It’s a total blessing. It puts a fire under your butt to keep going. It’s great working with Kensie Coppin, because she’s such a great person and great influence of mine. She also moved back to Texas the way I did.
There was something special when we wrote that song. It was the first time we’d written together. I went to Kensie’s house and said I was feeling like the devil was trying to wrap his fingers around me, and I was mad about it and trying to find a way to get through it. We sat down, opened up our hearts to each other and wrote “Snake.”
The response has been amazing, especially within the Texas community. It’s an empowering song, because the only person that can change you is you. It’s been encouraging to hear people say that the song fires them up. It’s an empowering murder ballad [laughs].
PC: You mentioned moving back to Texas. Why did you feel that was the right move for your career at this point?
MR: I love Nashville. I’ve created an amazing base of people here. But being originally from Texas, there’s a certain aspect about it that I missed. I feel there’s a door being opened for me, and I feel if I don’t walk through it, I’ll hate myself. I know there’s a part of the Texas scene that wants me around. I’m going to follow my heart and push myself that way. I can always come back to Nashville. I’m excited for a new adventure. It’ll be different, but in the best way.
PC: What did you like about “Neon Has a Way” following “Snake”?
MR: “Neon Has a Way” was written by Brett Pennington and Ethan Petty about seven years ago when they were at Belmont. About a year and a half ago, Brett came to me and asked what I thought of the song. I thought it would be a great duet, and I asked Brett if he wanted to sing it with me.
Brett and I are in a place where we want to be busy on the road. “Neon Has a Way” is about that, pushing yourself forward and letting life take you as it is. The whole trope of the song is a girl and a guy meeting at a bar. They don’t do anything outside of the bar, but there’s a fun feeling about living in the moment.
PC: You mentioned ”Neon Has a Way” was written Brett Pennington and Ethan Petty. Do you remember hearing the song for the first time? If so, what did you love about it?
MR: We were at a show for a friend in Nashville. He asked what I was doing the following day. I had a co-write, but I was free around it. He asked to come over to show me songs. He played me “Neon Has a Way,” and I went silent. He started at me, and he asked if I hated it [laughs]. I loved it. He said he had a show that weekend and asked me to put my input on it. I listened to the demo he sent me probably 150 times trying to make it fit in a way that it doesn’t sound like a solo song that was made into a duet.
What Brett had sent me was just himself and his guitar. What I loved about the song is that I could hear everything behind it without it being there. There was something special about it.
PC: You have a long slate of shows lined up going into the summer months. How excited are you to stay busy on stage and to bring your music to the live setting?
MR: I’m so excited! It’s incredible to say that I do this for a living. Not only that, but there’s places that want to listen to little ol’ me and my guitar. I’m so honored by that. I don’t have an open weekend until May, and that’s awesome!
PC: Your bio mentions that you have major plans for 2026. Can you clue us in to what you’re planning for the year?
MR: I’ll be playing Texas Music Revolution, which is a big festival in north Texas. To share the stage with artists like William Beckmann and Randy Rogers is blowing my mind. That will be on June 5th.
I’ll be releasing at least four more songs, which will be so fun. It will be a complete 180 from what I’ve done in the past, in a great way. Letting the music I’m releasing this year reflect the change that I’ve undergone in the past five years will be a big thing.
PC: How do you feel that you’ve grown over that time?
MR: As a person, I’ve become much less self-absorbed. I was so nervous about putting myself out there without everything being perfect. In the past five years, I’ve realized that life is going to life, and nothing will ever be perfect. I’ve learned to be authentic to myself and to let the audience go with me. I’ve become much more relaxed, more willing to go with the flow and willing to allow the music to speak for itself.
Musically, I’ve become a much better guitar player. I picked up the guitar five years ago, and I was bad [laughs]. I would play rounds, and I know people’s ears would be burning. I’ve gotten to a point where I’m comfortable taking solos. I’ve put in so much work to become a better player.
I’m also growing into a place where I still love Patsy Cline, Bonnie Raitt and Keith Whitley, but I also love Ozzy, the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac, and I’m bringing some of that into the country sphere. That’s what I’m trying to find this year.
PC: Is there anything you’d’ like to add?
MR: Follow your dreams and know that they’re always valid.
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