This week’s spotlight is on a Get Western homie, Mr. Maddox Ross from Choctaw, Oklahoma. Maddox got his start in music at a young age, saying, “I was 5 years old when I first performed on stage with a full band. I have always been drawn to it since I was probably 2 or 3 years old. My parents said that I would sit and watch country music videos instead of cartoons, and that I always had a toy guitar in hand.”
Starting at such a young age, who and what inspired Maddox to start making music? He told me, “I started writing my first song at the age of 8. It was about my great-grandfather I never met. I would finish it years later at 14 with my vocal coach. Then went in the studio & recorded it. Now at almost 22… I would say artists like Mike McClure, Cody Canada, Steve Earle, & Todd Snider. Willie Nelson is hands down my favorite artist of all time. He’s timeless.” So, how would Maddox describe his sound to someone who’s never heard his music? Well, he says it’s “A fusion of traditional country and Red Dirt, blending classic sounds with a modern edge.”
Now, what’s been his favorite show or venue to play so far? Maddox said, “I would say getting to play on the main stage at Billy Bob’s was pretty cool!” But what about his dream venue? Maddox gave a great answer, saying, “The Grand Ole Opry!” What has been a major turning point in Maddox’s career so far? He told me, “Getting asked to play the historical Cain’s Ballroom & opening up for The Great Divide, whom I look up to & respect.” Which is a show I wish I could’ve been at.
What’s something about Maddox that people might not expect? Well, he said, “I would say when I tell people that I’ve been performing with a live band since the age of 5… I’ve also done some acting on the side since I was a child.” Now, what does Maddox hope people feel or take away from his music? He told me, “Nostalgic… like home.”
What does success look like for him in music? Maddox says, “Success for me is continued growth & progress as a Songwriter and Musician.” How does Maddox balance music with the rest of his life? He said, “Oh, there’s life without music? Haha. But in all seriousness, I try to work really hard for a few months when I can, & then take time off occasionally, & then get back at it.” Which, if you keep up with Maddox, it does seem like he’s always runnin’ and gunnin’.
What’s one piece of advice he’d give to someone just starting in music? Maddox says, “Stay humble, stay kind, & nobody is gonna work harder for you than you…so give it 110%.” Now to new music, does Maddox have any upcoming releases or projects he can talk about? He told me, “Just recorded several songs in Nashville that I’ll be releasing soon. Stay Tuned!”
Y’all go listen to and follow Maddox on Spotify & all streaming platforms, and TikTok/Instagram/FB/YouTube ALL @MaddoxRossMusic
Thank you for reading today’s artist spotlight! I hope you enjoyed getting to know who Maddox Ross is behind his music. Go check him out, and go catch him at a show. As always, be good to yourself, stay western, and stay tuned!
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