Rising Country Sensation Maddox Batson Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut

Hailed as “one of the most exciting new voices in Country music” by Holler, breakout country artist Maddox Batson made his Grand Ole Opry debut on Wednesday, March 26, performing two songs from his recently released EP First Dance.
 
In between performing “I Don’t Like You Anymore” and “It Was You,” Batson shared, “Performing here at the Opry tonight means more to me than anything. I want to give a shout out to all my family here tonight. I can’t stop smiling. You’re making dreams come true for me!”
 
Chatting with Opry announcer Charlie Mattos on stage, Batson was asked, “How cool did it feel to be in that circle?”
 
“Walking out on this stage, the circle, is something I’ve wanted to do my entire life. I know I haven’t lived a long time, but…,” he shared smiling, with laughter from the audience. “Growing up in the country music space, growing up knowing the prestige of the Grand Ole Opry and actually coming out here to play it means the world to me. It’s the coolest thing ever.”
 
First Dance, available now via Prosper Entertainment/Warner Records, finds the multi-instrumental singer-songwriter captivating audiences with his heartfelt storytelling and signature sound. Listen HERE.
 
Talking about First Dance from the Opry stage, he shared, “I’ve never been more proud of a body of music. A year ago, I released my first song ‘Tears in the River.’ And then a year and six days later, I got to release my debut EP. I’m so proud of it and glad the fans are liking it so far.”
 
The EP arrives after standout “I Don’t Like You Anymore,” surpassing 1 million Spotify streams and 3.2 million YouTube views on its accompanying music video. It follows in the wake of the buzzing “X’s,” which has already amassed over 6 million Spotify streams in addition to 11 million YouTube views on the music video.
 
First Dance features seven tracks with the same youthful magnetism, including highlights like the single “Girl In Green.” Showcasing his stunning signature style, Batson paints a cinematic picture on the catchy chorus, “Tell me, have you seen the girl in green? Felt like a movie, yes it could’ve been a dream.” The music video for “Girl In Green” is available now - watch HERE.

Photo Credit: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Talking about First Dance from the Opry stage, he shared, “I’ve never been more proud of a body of music. A year ago, I released my first song ‘Tears in the River.’ And then a year and six days later, I got to release my debut EP. I’m so proud of it and glad the fans are liking it so far.”
 
The EP arrives after standout “I Don’t Like You Anymore,” surpassing 1 million Spotify streams and 3.2 million YouTube views on its accompanying music video. It follows in the wake of the buzzing “X’s,” which has already amassed over 6 million Spotify streams in addition to 11 million YouTube views on the music video.
 
First Dance features seven tracks with the same youthful magnetism, including highlights like the single “Girl In Green.” Showcasing his stunning signature style, Batson paints a cinematic picture on the catchy chorus, “Tell me, have you seen the girl in green? Felt like a movie, yes it could’ve been a dream.” The music video for “Girl In Green” is available now - watch HERE.
 
This spring, Batson will hit the road once again with headlining tour dates in New York City, Dallas, Chicago and more, along with a performance at Stagecoach Music Festival in Indio, CA. Following high demand, Batson upgraded venues across the country with limited tickets remaining. This fall, he’s set to join one of country’s biggest stars, supporting Lainey Wilson’s Whirlwind Tour.

Tour Routing:
March 28 || Columbus, OH || The Bluestone*
March 29 || Louisville, KY || Mercury Ballroom*
March 30 || Indianapolis, IN || Egyptian Room*
April 4 || Rosemont, IL || Joe’s Live*
April 5 || Rootstown, OH || Dusty Armadillo*
April 6 || New York, NY || Irving Plaza*
April 9 || Savannah, GA || Victory North*
April 10 || Charleston, SC || Charleston Music Hall*
April 11 || Raleigh, NC || Lincoln Theatre*
April 13 || Huntsville, AL || Mars Music Hall*
April 17 || Dallas, TX || House of Blues*
April 18 || Houston, TX || White Oak Music Hall - Downstairs *
April 19 || Austin, TX || Emo’s Austin *
April 22 || Denver, CO || Summit
April 24 || Phoenix, AZ || Crescent Ballroom*
April 26 || Indio, CA || Stagecoach Music Festival                
June 28 || Fairfield, CA || Vineyard Jam 2025
July 20 || Valparaiso, IN || Porter County Fair
Aug 10 || West Chester Township, OH || Voices of America Country Music Fest
Sept 11 || Baton Rouge, LA || Raising Cane’s River Center^
Sept 12 || Baton Rouge, LA || Raising Cane’s River Center^
Sept 13 || Bossier City, LA || Brookshire Grocery Arena^
Oct 2 || Nashville, TN || Bridgestone Arena^
Oct 16 || St. Louis, MO || Hollywood Casio Amphitheatre^
Oct 17 || Rosemont, IL || Allstate Arena^
Oct 18 || Saint Paul, MN || Xcel Energy Center^
 
*SOLD OUT
^Lainey Wilson Support Dates
 
About Maddox Batson:
Maddox Batson navigates the world with wisdom and wit far beyond his 15 years. After the Nashville-born, Alabama-based songwriter began gaining notoriety covering songs from Zach Bryan, Red Clay Strays, and more, he started to write his own songs. Thanks to early singles like “Tears In The River” and “I Wanna Know,” Batson quickly showed that he wasn’t only a star at covering country hits, but an excellent writer of his own home-cooked cuts – a practice he saw first-hand as a co-writer on Lana Del Rey and Quavo’s smash hit collaboration, “Tough.”
 
With the arrival of his latest single, “Girl In Green” and his EP First Dance, Batson is ready to show the world what he can create all while preparing for sold-out live shows across the country, his debut appearance at Stagecoach Music Festival and more new music. Life is moving fast for the multi-instrumentalist (piano, guitar & mandolin) who has fully embraced his next-up in country-pop music.  “It can be overwhelming, this life, but I’ve got a lot of good people surrounding me,” he explains. “I’m still just a kid, though, and I’m happy about that.” More at MaddoxBatson.com
 
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Capitol Records' Christian Hayes Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut

Capitol Records recording artist Christian Hayes made his Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday, Feb. 1. Donning a Schott leather jacket designed by Dixon and Jack, embroidered with artwork inspired by his debut EP, Last I Love You, released last September, and inscripted with his nickname "The Lullaby Kid," Hayes performed two songs from the hallowed circle: "Home Sweet Home" and "LILY."

While "Home Sweet Home" is unreleased, "LILY" (which is an acronym for "Last I Love You") struck a chord with listeners, who turned it into a viral hit, quickly sending combined global streams past the six million mark.

Hayes' debut EP, Last I Love You, is available everywhere now and casts a wide net, fusing Americana and folk while bouncing between campfire ballads, cinematic soundscapes and raw, rowdy barn-burners. At the center of that sound is Hayes himself: a wise-beyond-his-years musician who knows he can't move forward without taking a look at his past. 

ABOUT CHRISTIAN HAYES
Raised in the Appalachian foothills of northern Georgia, Christian Hayes grew up surrounded by southern storytelling. His grandfather — a poet by profession — encouraged him to begin writing in a journal at 7 years old, sparking a habit that would eventually take Hayes to Nashville. A veteran of the US Navy Reserve, Hayes began applying the discipline of his military training to his work as a songwriter, amassing more than 900 original songs by his mid-twenties. Five of those songs appear on Last I Love You, his debut for Capitol Records available now. Produced by Lukas Bracewell and steeped in Hayes' unique version of American roots music, Last I Love You features the viral hit "LILY" (which racked up more than 3 million streams before the EP's official release), the anthemic "Black Gold," and a mix of effortless melodies, cinematic folk and rowdy, barn-burning Americana.

Follow Christian Hayes:
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WATCH HUNTERGIRL’S GRAND OLE OPRY DEBUT SHINE ON NBC’s THE KELLY CLARKSON SHOW

19 Recordings/Wheelhouse Records/BMG vocal powerhouse HunterGirl delivered a raw, emotional and star-making performance of her debut radio single “Ain’t About You” on NBC’s The Kelly Clarkson Show yesterday.

Spotlighting her Grand Ole Opry debut earlier this month, the teary-eyed but fiercely beautiful performance invoked an impassioned, lively standing ovation from the packed-out Opry house - a bucket list wish she’s been dreaming of her whole life. For a glimpse into her emotional debut, watch her “My Opry Debut” episode Below.

Just named to CMT’s esteemed Next Women of Country, the “Artist to Watch” (Country Now, Wide Open Country) and American Idol runner-up is “...transcending from talented aspiring artist, to make her first steps toward the big leagues” (Billboard), proving she’s a “major, major new talent” (MusicRow). 

Up next, the talented songstress will join Luke Bryan on his 2024 “Mind Of A Country Boy" Tour this summer, make her return to Nashville’s CMA Fest on June 7 as well as debut at Tortuga Music Festival on April 5 and Faster Horses Festival on July 21.

HunterGirl making her Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday, March 2, 2024
Photo credit: (c) Grand Ole Opry, photos by Chris Hollo

About HunterGirl:

America’s sweetheart, vocal powerhouse, and esteemed songwriter HunterGirl has been performing since she was three years old and writing songs since she was nine. In her teens, she honed her craft by performing at venues across the United States and working with veteran non-profits such as Operation Song, Freedom Sings and A Soldier’s Child, using music therapy to help numerous vets transform their stories into songs. After high school, she moved to Nashville and immediately started playing gigs at Lower Broadway’s most famous venues including Tootsie’s, Rippy’s, Jason Aldean’s Bar, The Listening Room, and HonkyTonk Central, winning songwriting contests such as “Nash Next” and the prestigious “Nashville Songwriter Association International” in her spare time. Recently, she competed and placed second on the star-making competition series American Idol, where she delivered standout performances and won the hearts of millions across the country including Idol judge and Country superstar Luke Bryan who proclaimed her the “new age Miranda Lambert” and his “favorite female Country voice.” After topping the iTunes All Genre and Country charts with her wistful “Red Bird,” HunterGirl has been a guest on Good Morning America and Live with Kelly & Ryan as well as shared the stage with Country superstars Old Dominion, Florida Georgia Line, Kane Brown, Alan Jackson, Lainey Wilson, Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels, Sara Evans and more. Now, with the release of “Ain’t About You” that’s currently climbing the country radio charts, HunterGirl - who was just named to CMT’s esteemed Next Women of Country, made her Grand Ole Opry debut that earned her a lively standing ovation and will hit the road on Luke Bryan’s “Mind Of A Country Boy" Tour this summer - becomes the first female country artist in over 30 years to write her debut radio single by herself. Praised by People for her “incredible voice” and CMT for her “soaring vocals and superstar potential,” “Ain’t About You” “rises above toxic comparison and insecurity” (Taste of Country) “with universal relevance” (Billboard). Chronicling “her current moment of transcending from talented aspiring artist to make her first steps toward the big leagues” (Billboard), HunterGirl - “a major, major new talent” (MusicRow) - is poised to become Country’s next big female artist.


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