The Bobby Bones Show – March 12, 2026

THURS PT 2: A Celebrity Ate Their Placenta + MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge (Thelma & James) on Marriage and Touring with Luke Combs

Episode Overview

In this episode, Bobby Bones welcomes country music duo Thelma and James—the project of married couple MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge—into the studio. The conversation weaves through their musical journey as a couple, unexpected viral moments, balancing marriage and parenthood on tour, and their upcoming tour with Luke Combs. Other highlights: a viral placenta-eating story from Bobby’s podcast with Danica McKellar, sleep struggles, and an edition of the celebrity guessing game.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sleep Struggles and Habits

• Hosts discuss sleep quality and routines.
  • Amy cites a study showing Americans get only 10 perfect nights of sleep per month. (03:26)
  • Bobby Bones: “If I were to get 10 good night...I’d cut off a pinky toe for 10 good nights of sleep a month for the rest of my life.” (03:48)
  • Discussion of sleep aids—mask, magnesium, melatonin—and their side effects.
  • Tangent about the lengths people go to for better sleep, including the adult diaper joke.

2. Viral Placenta Story (with Danica McKellar)

• Bobby recounts a viral BobbbyCast conversation with Danica McKellar (Winnie Cooper from The Wonder Years).
  • Danica described tasting her placenta after childbirth, saying it tasted like “the best filet mignon” and feeling almost “embarrassed about how much I loved it.” (07:22)
  • Amy: “She just sold me on it...I think I would eat it, based on her review.” (08:14)
  • Lively, humorous debate about the science and culture of eating the placenta.

3. Introducing Thelma and James (MacKenzie Porter and Jake Etheridge)

Formation of the Duo

• Origin Story (10:29)
  • MacKenzie: “We just wrote a song together one night...three days after our first chorus, we got a record deal.” (10:29)
  • Their label (Big Loud) asked for a band name; “Thelma” is MacKenzie’s middle name, “James” is Jake’s legal first name.
  • They weren’t even trying to be a band; it spun out of one song written during a “bum night.” (13:23)
  • Jake: “We hadn’t written a song in 10 years.” (11:18)
  • Their first song, “Happily Ever After You,” blew up when posted on TikTok.

Balancing Marriage, Parenting, and Music

• Parenting on Tour
  • Brought their daughter on a cruise; she became “everybody’s friend” and a little socialite.
  • Shared funny stories about new parent gadgets, like the “whistling” tool to help constipated babies (which led to explosive results). (16:33)
  • Advice for new parents: “Every phase is so fast...if it’s a frustrating phase, it goes by so fast, it’s not that bad.” (21:10)

Collaborating as a Couple

• They had boundaries earlier in their relationship—reviewing each other’s songs and “being done with music for the day”—but now as a working duo, they compartmentalize work and home more easily. (23:30)

4. Live Music & On-the-Rise Career

Performances and Song Choices

• Performed both originals and Mackenzie’s #1 hit “Thinking ‘Bout You” (with Dustin Lynch) in a new “emo sad version.” (18:47)
  • Bobby: “I like emo sad everything though. The only music I listen to is sad stuff. I told Kenny Chesney, I don’t like Beach Chesney, I like sad Kenny!” (19:07)

Going Viral & Touring with Luke Combs

• Luke Combs noticed them after seeing their first viral TikTok; he commented and eventually invited them on tour.
  • “He was the first big artist...to comment.” (22:13)
  • Their stadium tour debut will be their sixth show together. (22:29)
  • Jake: “We still haven’t met him.” (22:29)
  • Bobby offers reassurance: “He’s great as a dude and looks out for people.”

Outside Projects

• Mackenzie stars as Dr. Samantha on the show “Nashville 911” (explains her brunette hair) and recounts a comical on-set moment mixing up body organs. (28:09)
  • “Not good for a doctor to forget.” – Bobby (28:47)
• Her previous acting work (“Travelers” on Netflix).

Musical Backgrounds

• Jake’s history in Holland with the band The Common Linnets, who opened for Paul McCartney and nearly won Eurovision. (32:12)
  • “In Europe, we were a thing...I was waiting tables at Carrabba’s. Ilsa called me at 2am, said, ‘Can you be in Holland in a week?’” (33:01)
• Both can sing lead—Bobby compares them to Lady A in terms of vocal chemistry.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Bobby: “You just randomly said one of the greatest fictional rock bands of all time and didn’t know? Wild Stallions? Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure?” (12:38)
• Danica McKellar (relayed by Bobby): “It was like the best filet mignon I’ve ever tasted...I was embarrassed about how much I loved it.” (07:22)
• Jake: “Sad songs make me happy.” (19:21)
• Mackenzie: “Our daughter heard our song at Mitchell’s Deli before we noticed, said ‘Mama, Dada!’” (23:57)
• On Luke Combs’ invite (Jake): “He was right there from the start in the comments.” (21:58)
• Bobby: “You both are really great vocalists...like a very Lady A ish with Charles and Hillary.” (34:40)
• Mackenzie: (About touring) “We’ve played five shows...about to go on tour.” (18:38)
• On acting as a doctor: “There’s a rule: if you do two roles, you’re at least a resident.” – Bobby (30:13)

Important Timestamps

• 03:03 – 06:23: Sleep discussion, habits, sleeping aids
• 06:48 – 08:41: Placenta-eating viral story with Danica McKellar
• 10:29 – 12:27: Origin of Thelma & James; band name
• 13:23 – 13:40: The viral TikTok that led to their duo
• 21:10: Parenting advice
• 22:13 – 22:29: How Luke Combs discovered and invited them on tour
• 28:09: Mackenzie talks acting as a doctor on “Nashville 911”
• 32:12 – 34:00: Jake’s European band background
• 34:40: Lady A comparison, duo dynamic

Additional Details

• Unexpected paths: Jake's journey from South Carolina to Holland, back to Nashville, and eventually forming Thelma & James with his wife.
• Humorous behind-the-scenes stories from cruises, parenthood, and the oddest advice/products for babies.
• Mackenzie balances motherhood, acting, and music simultaneously.
• Closing games include a lively “Name That Celebrity” segment and good-natured trash talk among the cast.

Social & Where to Find Thelma & James

• Instagram/TikTok: @thelmaandjamesmusic

Summary

This episode is a showcase of authenticity and serendipity—two working musicians who stumbled (almost accidentally) into forming a duo, finding viral success, and heading out on an arena tour, all while being hands-on parents. Their chemistry and stories, both personal and professional, shine through, with Bobby providing both humor and heartfelt enthusiasm. Even amidst sleep struggles and viral placenta stories, the heart of the episode is about creative partnership, family, and finding new adventures together.

For fans of country music, young parenthood, or just great behind-the-scenes stories from the world of entertainment, this episode is a must-listen.