A lot of young country and Americana writers now come up through covers posted online, and Maggie Antone did too: her take on Tyler Childers' "Lady May" got people's attention, and her 2022 set Interpretations added Dolly Parton's "Jolene" and John Prine's "Spanish Pipe Dream." Where she broke from the usual pattern was staying independent well after that, through a debut album and a couple of touring years.
The Richmond, Virginia native released Rhinestoned on August 23, 2024 on her own label, Love Big, in partnership with Thirty Tigers. She co-produced it with Carrie K., and the writers around her include Natalie Hemby, a longtime hero of hers, alongside Trent Dabbs, Aaron Raitiere and Jillian Jacqueline. The opener, "Johnny Moonshine," has passed 12 million Spotify streams. That year she toured with 49 Winchester, Ella Langley, Trampled by Turtles and Kat Hasty, played Bonnaroo, and made her Grand Ole Opry debut on December 13.
Her first headline tour ran in early 2025, and that year also brought ACL Fest, Under the Big Sky and a single called "The Devil's Not In Hell." Island Records announced her signing on September 1, 2026. She called giving up her indie status bittersweet, then said she felt more independent than ever.