Former Panthers staffer will ‘keep pounding’ towards country music dreams
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – The Carolina Panthers kicked off training camp this week without a woman who was an important teammate behind the scenes last year.
With time we learn that timing is everything. Sometimes, an internal clock will tell you when.
“I just feels right,” said Mary English, who left the Panthers front office in 2023 and took a took a leap of faith to chase her Nashville dreams full-time.
The country singer/songwriter feels it’s her time to go all-in on a music career. Her latest release “Summer Night” has accrued 200,000 streams in the last month.
“Girls fall faster on a Saturday night with a magic in the air, that look in his eye…” she sings.
“It’s just about going on a date in the summer, having a great time. So, I hope everybody can really feel that,” English told Queen City News.
She worked in public relations for the Panthers.
“[Helping] players tell their stories and help their personalities shine through is cool,” says English. “So, you don’t just know them on the field you know them off the field too.”
Now, she’s front and center with her own brand of storytelling, collaborating with Nashville songwriters.
English’s mom bought her a guitar at 14, and she’s been writing ever since.
“The first time I ever recorded,” she recalls, pointing to a photo of her in studio. “My first song, it was called ‘Make It Last.’”
English’s early music was fun and poppy, but she says country is a great fit for her now.
“And then I’ve always loved country music, so I wanted to take a turn,” she explained.
English is inspired by country stars like Shania Twain and Kelsea Ballerini.
PR work was great, but she loves her public relationship with audiences even more.
“And I feel like you get a lot of energy from the crowd and seeing them enjoy themselves and be excited,” English says.
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“Like game days?” I asked her.
“Yep, like game days, ha-ha,” she answered.
After two years with the Panthers, Mary bet on herself and flipped a coin.
“Heads Carolina, tails Tennessee?” playing off a famous country song.
“For anybody changing careers, definitely go for it,” says English. “You never know what’s on the other side or what something else might lead you to.”
Her approach yet another reminder to “Keep Pounding.”
Coming soon, you can watch Mary English perform live at Amos’ Southend on Sept.12.
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