Texas Country Artist Madelyn Victoria Talks Dance Halls, Wet Merch, and Fishing
Madelyn Victoria grew up in the deep south of Texas, in Harlingen, performing in public for the first time during a local Christmas pageant at age 5. She continued performing and singing throughout her youth, at local competitions and pageants, earning awards and recognition as one of the area’s top young performers. Her songwriting career began at the age of 13, after becoming the lead vocalist at her church. In 2007, Madelyn competed in the Modeling Association of America International Competition and Convention in New York, where she won the vocal competition, singing Sara Evans’ “Real Fine Place to Start.” That same year, Madelyn auditioned to perform with the Radio Disney Superstars of Dallas, was selected, and opened for pop boy band sensation, The Jonas Brothers. In high school, Madelyn studied both Opera and Mariachi, winning accolades in both categories, all the while honing her guitar skills. In December of 2012, Madelyn performed in Las Vegas (Planet Hollywood and at the NFR Rodeo) as the Shania Twain Sing-Off Contest Winner.
Madelyn has sung the National Anthem at United League games, and at local high school sporting events, political rallies, patriotic ceremonies, rodeos, and stock shows, including the 2009 Los Fresnos PRCA Rodeo in Los Fresnos, Texas where Madelyn Victoria was crowned the inaugural Rodeo Queen. This was one of many crowns she has earned including Cameron County Cowgirl, being named her high school’s homecoming queen, Miss Texas Homecoming Queen, and 2nd Runner Up for Americas Homecoming Queen.
More recently Madelyn Victoria and her band have opened for some of the biggest names in country music, including Easton Corbin, Turnpike Troubadours, Tracy Lawrence, Kevin Fowler, Clay Walker, Josh Thompson, Dustin Lynch, Zac Brown Band, The Charlie Daniels Band, and more. She is a Top 50 CMT.com artist, too! Madelyn also gives back to her community, by volunteering at local Motor Training events for special needs children, singing to the children at hospitals and rehab centers and by starting her own annual event called “Octave Higher Christmas” for children.
Madelyn Victoria’s latest single release with Star 1 Records/MTS, is “He Only Loves Me on the Dancefloor.” It’s currently in the Top 5 on national country AM/FM chart, New Music Weekly. Madelyn took some time out to talk about the success of her single, touring and what’s for dinner!
Q: Tell me about your recent performance, opening for the Eli Young Band. How does opening a show for a well known act compare to your own headlining shows?
Madelyn Victoria: Well first of all there are a lot more people than at my shows! Which is awesome, haha. Being able to sing to a crowd who has no idea who you are may seem nerve-racking but I feed off of that so much, I always do my ultimate best so that they become my fans as well. There was such an awesome crowd at the Eli Young Band concert and I’m so grateful for the opportunity. It’s a little bit scary headlining shows- you have to work your butt off advertising and promoting and hope everyone comes out! But we gotta start somewhere and I know eventually I’ll be selling out shows.. only a matter of time
Q: What’s the craziest thing that has happened while on the road, and where did it happen?
MV: My journey on the road has just started so I feel like there will be many crazy things that are going to happen that will for sure make great stories! As of now the craziest things have always involved a drunk person either jumping on the stage to dance or stealing the mic… but those things come along with the job, haha. There was also this one show I was doing with Easton Corbin and Dustin Lynch in Pharr, TX- It started storming as soon as my set was done, I had forgotten my boots so I had to borrow my friend’s boots to perform in, forgot to put on mascara, lost my phone, and all my merchandise got soaked! That was a pretty hectic day!
Q: Your video has been very well received on outlets like Zuus Country, CMC TVUSA and Yallwire. Tell us about the video for “He Only Loves Me on the Dance Floor.” Where was it shot? Who is in it? Who directed? What is the concept, and How did the concept come about?
MV: It was extremely fun shooting the video. I love to act as well so being able to do all the things I love and get to share it with the world is amazing. The video was filmed at Cowboys Dancehall in San Antonio, TX. It’s one of the most popular dancehall’s in Texas and was pretty awesome filming it there. James Hill filmed and directed it who also happens to be my sound engineer and one of the producers on my EP. The actor is Mat Slovacek and is the house band singer at Cowboys Dancehall. I wanted a simple production/representation of what the song is about, leaving the viewers with room to create a personal scenario in their minds but bringing it back to having them imagine they’re on the dance floor.
Q: Critical praise, record sales, or industry awards…which one is most important to you and why?
MV: Definitely record sales! My fans are what matter the most to me and the more records I sell means that they are enjoying my stuff. I would also add sold out shows to that list! I can’t wait to start selling out shows. Selling records and selling out shows go hand in hand.
Q: . Tell me about your current single, “He Only Loves Me on the Dance Floor.” How did the song come about, who wrote it with you, and what was the recording process like?
MV: I love to go dancing with my friends at honkytonks, dancehalls, etc. so the inspiration first started from there. I started writing this song about five years ago and when I finished writing it I had just gotten out of a relationship… we loved to dance so I joke that it’s a true story – he really did only love me on the dance floor, haha. I wanted this song to give everyone the Country dancehall feel and though it is a ballad, get everyone pumped to go out dancing on a Friday night. My favorite part of recording is the production and swapping ideas for hooks and licks with the musicians. I love to see what they are inspired to come up with for my song.
Q: Have you been writing and recording for a new album yet? If so, tell us about the direction the new album is taking.
MV: Yes! I am constantly writing and can’t wait to record a new album, hopefully this summer. It’ll be called “Highway Of Dreams” which is the title of one of my songs- you can look up the live recording of it on YouTube. I want to continue to stay true to my roots yet have a “modern sound” for radio… I want the traditionalists, outlaws, and today’s Country music fans to love what I do and hope this next album sends out that message.
Q: Up to this point, what is the highlight of your music career?
MV: I can’t really choose one moment in my career that has been the best because I consider all my experiences extremely important. They mold me and keep me motivated. Hearing myself on the radio for the first time, opening up for a big act for the first time, receiving my first standing ovation, seeing my name and song climb up the charts, all of the positive feedback from my fans, and such kind and supportive words I get from strangers are all the best highlights of my music career… and I know this is just the beginning.
Q: Do you have a follow up single planned, after “He Only Loves Me on the Dance Floor?” What song is it, and when do you plan on releasing it as a single?
MV: I do! It’s “Hold On” which is on my latest EP as well. We’ll probably release it during the summer time!
Q: What is one career goal that you hope to accomplish in the next year?
MV: I want to be touring all of the US and have a new record out. I think those are really continuous goals for any artist at any stage of their career. I have a lot of faith in what I do and so much support so I also really leave the next steps of my career in God’s hands.
Q: Outside of music, what does Madelyn enjoy? And if I was to come to your house, what would you serve for dinner?
MV: I love to go fishing with my family! We always have a great time together and is definitely a stress reliever for me… Plus catching and cooking your own dinner always feels so accomplishing, haha. I love to do anything outdoors and I also love to go dancing at honkytonks with my friends- go figure! If you came to my house for dinner I’d have to make you some awesome Mexican rice for sure! I also love cooking Italian food so you’d be able to choose from lasagna, spaghetti, or some Fettuccini Alfredo