LDT “🎵 Thomas Mac vs. AI: Country Star Confronts Digital Copycat After Unreleased Song Leak”
Rising country artist Thomas Mac, known for his heartfelt storytelling and massive TikTok following, is speaking out after an AI-generated version of his unreleased track surfaced online ahead of schedule.
The song — a fiery fiddle-driven anthem titled “Johnny Went Down to Hell” — was intended as a modern nod to “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” But before Mac could officially release it, fans stumbled upon a strikingly similar version created by artificial intelligence, circulating across music platforms and social
media.
In a statement posted to Instagram and X, Mac called the imitation “a violation of creative integrity.”
“It’s one thing to be inspired by an artist,” he wrote. “It’s another to let a machine pretend to be one.”
The singer — who rose to fame blending old-school country charm with Gen Z humor — has built a loyal fanbase of over two million followers. His reaction quickly went viral, reigniting a larger debate about AI’s growing presence in music.
Industry experts say the situation highlights how difficult it’s becoming to protect unreleased material in the age of generative technology. While some artists are experimenting with AI as a creative tool, others, like Mac, view it as a potential threat to authenticity.
“When people use AI to clone a sound or voice, they’re not just copying data — they’re copying a person’s art,” said one Nashville producer familiar with the issue.
Mac has since confirmed he will release the official version of “Johnny Went Down to Hell” later this fall, along with behind-the-scenes footage of the real recording process — aiming to show fans the human hands and heart behind his music.
As the country scene embraces innovation while defending tradition, Thomas Mac’s battle may be a preview of how the genre — and the entire music industry — will confront artificial intelligence in the years ahead.
