Rising Country Star Maddox Batson Discusses Whiskey Jam, Golf, and Lana Del Rey

Maddox Batson is swiftly proving to be the next big thing in country music. At just 14, the talented teen has been making waves with his recent singles, “Tears in the River” and “I Wanna Know.” This summer, he wowed audiences at Whiskey Jam in Nashville and even co-wrote a song, “Tough,” that caught the attention of Lana Del Rey and rapper Quavo, who recorded it as a duet.

In an exclusive chat, Batson delved into his journey from sports enthusiast to rising country music star. “I wasn’t really into music initially. I used to play basketball,” he shared. Batson’s parents introduced him to music, but for a long time, sports were his primary focus. His passion for sports hit an unexpected roadblock when he was diagnosed with Osgood-Schlatter disease, a knee condition that ended his athletic aspirations.

Finding himself with ample free time during the summer, Batson and his dad began exploring music together. Their performances on TikTok quickly went viral. “I remember playing a song and suddenly having almost 12,000 viewers watching live. It was surreal,” Batson recalled. The success on TikTok opened up new opportunities for him and his dad, allowing them to collaborate with renowned songwriters.

Reflecting on his journey, Batson expressed gratitude, saying, “When God closes a door, he always opens another. He closed the door on my sports dreams and opened one for music. I feel blessed to have this chance.”

Even though he no longer plays basketball, Batson has found solace in golf. “I joke about it–all those sports guys, once they stop playing their main sport, pick up golf,” he said with a laugh. He is far from alone in this transition, as other country artists like Chase Rice and Brett Young have also turned to golf after their sports careers.

Despite his newfound love for golf, Batson’s main focus remains on music. In June, he delivered a standout performance at Whiskey Jam in Nashville during CMA Fest. “Finding out I was going to perform just two days before the event was incredible,” he said. Batson shared that Dierks Bentley’s support for younger artists gave him the unexpected opportunity. “It was an amazing experience, especially seeing the fans show up in big numbers.”

Batson’s exciting summer didn’t stop there. Recently, Lana Del Rey and Quavo released “Tough,” a song he co-wrote. “It was an unforgettable experience,” he enthused. Writing “Tough” was particularly meaningful for Batson, drawing inspiration from the resilience shown by his family. “The song is inspired by my parents and grandparents’ toughness. Writing it felt special,” he explained. The news that Del Rey and Quavo had picked up the song was thrilling for Batson and his family. “I literally started running around my house screaming,” he recalled.

Looking ahead, Batson is planning to release a full project and has lined up several tour dates, starting this weekend. He remains grateful for the support of his fans and continues to be motivated by his love for music.

Source: PopCulture.com