A country music duo is splitting up after 15 years together.
Maddie & Tae announced an indefinite hiatus Monday, calling it “such a hard, hard — honestly, heartbreaking — decision.” Maddie Marlow Font and Taylor “Tae” Kerr Dye avoided using the term “breakup,” but made it clear there are no current plans to continue doing music together.
“We’re leaving this so open-ended because, you know, we might make another record one day,” Maddie told People. “We might go do some tour dates one day.”
“This was the only dream I’ve ever had since I exited the womb,” Tae added. “When we met at 15, that’s what we set out to do, and we’re both just so grateful that we’ve had the journey we’ve had… This career has been everything we’ve ever wanted.”
The former pair, who first met as teenagers in 2010, are best known for popular songs like “Girl in a Country Song,” “Die of a Broken Heart,” “Friends Don’t” and “Fly.” They received multiple awards from the Academy of Country Music and the CMAs; toured with big names like Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, and Dierks Bentley; and are the only female duo to top the Country Airplay chart with multiple No. 1 hits.
Maddie & Tae released their third album, “Love & Light,” in May, and performed at the New York State Fair in August. They said they made the decision to end their partnership in September.
According to Taste of Country, Maddie and Tae insisted they remain “best friends” and the career change will allow them to “nurture our friendship” as they focus on motherhood. Tae told People she plans to be a stay-at-home-mom for her two children, while Maddie, who has a 2-year-old son, will pursue a solo career.
“Even though we’re not gonna go on this journey as Maddie & Tae together, we’re still walking and doing life together outside of it,” Maddie told People.
Maddie did not say when she plans to start releasing solo music. She has her own Instagram account, @maddiefont.
