{Cover photo credit: Aaron Meighan}
At just 16 years old, Maddox Batson is no longer just a viral sensation—he’s a certified force in country music. Fresh off the heels of his explosive rise on social media, Batson has traded the smartphone screen for the center stage, currently on a massive 44-date U.S. headlining tour that has seen sold-out crowds across the country.
But the current trek is only the beginning! With plans already in motion to take his high-energy show overseas to fans in the UK and beyond, Maddox is proving that his sound resonates far across borders. Despite the grueling schedule, the young star hasn’t just adapted to life on the road—he’s embraced it, citing the immediate connection with his audience as the ultimate fuel for his creativity.
From stepping onto the hallowed circle of the Grand Ole Opry to mapping out his ambitious goals for 2026 and the years to follow, Maddox is playing the long game. In a recent chat with CleveRock ahead of his upcoming headlining show at Cleveland’s Agora Theater on March 15, Batson provided the scoop about the current tour and reflected on the first two years of his career.
16-years-old, traveling the world, performing for adoring fans….Must be the life! Sure, it has challenges, but Batson embraces the journey.
“It’s treated me relatively well! I’ve had a lot of fun,” he said. “This is my third headlining tour within the last year, so I’m definitely getting a little used to it at this point. This is definitely my longest. We have 44 shows in nine different countries. And so far, we’re only seven shows in. We’re having an amazing time. The fans are showing out, being loud, and all that kind of stuff. And I just couldn’t ask for a better crew, better people surrounding me, and just having an amazing time!”
“Being out on the road with my family and my team, and just becoming close with them, means a lot to me,” he continued. “And also, just playing these different shows in the different cities and just meeting all the new fans. I know that’s kind of like a normal answer, but man, that’s really what I do it for. I love performing more than anything, and the fact that I can go out there and they know every word to every song just means more to me than anything. Most of the time, it’s kind of surreal because I have to remind myself that I’m 16. Sometimes I’ll get a little ahead of myself and try to expect things for myself that aren’t necessarily feasible just yet. I’ve only been in the industry for about two years now. At the end of the day, I just have to remind myself that I’m still 16, but honestly, I’m having such an amazing time. And the fact that I’ve been able to put myself in this position along with other people, it’s just life-changing, man. It’s super awesome. Wouldn’t change it for nothing!”
One of the downsides of being on the road, in addition to the potential for homesickness, is missing a treasured furry friend. Batson has found a clever workaround. He’s brought his dog aboard the tour bus!
“He’s a little wiener dog,” Batson revealed. “His name’s Humphrey. I got him about a year and a half ago. He’s my buddy.“
Labeled as country music, Batson bends the genre and blends other elements into his sound, making it unique. He credits his family’s playlists:
“My musical influences boiled down to like my parents and my sister, because it’s the type of music that they would play,” Batson explained. “Like my parents, they would play old country stuff when I was in the house, like while I was cleaning or riding in the car with them. But when I’d ride in the car with my older sister, she would play pop or newer country stuff like Justin Bieber, One Direction, and Chris Young. I mean, unfathomable amounts of music were playing in her car. But I’ve learned so much from both of them, and I just try to take bits and pieces from everything that I’ve learned and incorporate it into my music while also making it my own.”
Batson’s early success speaks for itself. He’s gained a great following, playing for thousands of fans in some markets. Additional smug-smile-satisfaction comes from the fact that he is vindicated from those who didn’t believe in his talents.
“Absolutely,” he confirmed. “I mean, there are guys that have been doubting me since I was, I don’t know, since I ever started playing music. There will always be people who don’t necessarily like you… I guess, the haters, as you could say. And that’s just something you’re going to have to live with, especially in this position. But it definitely feels pretty good when you get to prove them all wrong when you get to do some of the cool stuff.”
As if life couldn’t be any more grand (PUN INTENDED), Batson has had the supreme privilege of gracing the stage of the famed Grand Ole Opry, one of the most prestigious venues on the planet. He is still in disbelief that the opportunity presented itself.
“It meant everything to me just because the Grand Ole Opry, I mean, it’s just something that you grow up hearing about, but it sounds so foreign. Like you never think that you’ll actually make it there or anything,” Batson said. “And when I got that call, I was sitting in my living room. It was just surreal because it just … In my family, I’m a huge country music snob in my family and just the fact that I got that opportunity at such a young age and just the music that I make, it’s just so awesome because I love the Grand Ole Opry more than anything and I have a respect for country music and the fact that they call me not only once, but three times now. It’s just a dream come true.”
His family, who inspired his love for country music, are beaming with pride!
“It probably means more to them than it does to me, just because they know more about it,” he admitted. “My dad’s a huge country music guy, so was my mom, but I mean, he grew up just studying those guys, and that was like the ultimate dream for everyone who played country music. And the fact that I remember him saying that once I played the Grand Ole Opry, that’s when all of his buddies from back home started calling and started texting him and all that kind of stuff. So you could definitely tell it means more to them. It definitely means a lot to me, but I just haven’t been around long enough, but hopefully we’ll get there eventually.“
From Nashville’s hallowed venue, Batson also made the leap to the Big Top, partnering with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus to incorporate his music into the show. The first-of-its-kind in-show music integration began at the start of this year. His music, including “If I See Her Again,” soundtracks a high-energy, street-style unicycle act featuring custom remixes.
“It’s such a cool partnership,” he said with excitement. “One, because I’m the only artist in their 150-year history that’s ever partnered with them. So that’s a pretty cool feat. And just the fact that I got that call and the fact that I got to make that decision and partner with them, I mean, it’s absolutely amazing. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Those guys are absolutely awesome over there, and the show is even better.”
The sky is the limit for Batson, but he’s staying humble and keeping his goals simple:
“Honestly, just keep putting out amazing music, keep doing my thing and just keep having fun with it because at the end of the day, that’s the number one priority for me, at a young age, is just not get burnt out super quick, keep surrounding myself with the correct people, and just making music that I like, that my fans like, and just wherever it goes past that, it’s just a blessing. That’s just add-ons, for sure. But if I can just keep making good music and putting it out and everyone likes it, then I’m cool with that. And if I like it, that’s really what it boils down to,” Batson said.
“I got a couple of songs that’ll be coming out within the next few weeks and months,” he revealed. “I’ll give you the title of one of them. One of them is called ‘Falling Easy.’ I love that song so much. I think it’s one of my favorite songs I’ve ever made, and hopefully my fans feel the same way. This one’s a super good song, and I can’t wait for it to come out. I think the fans will love it just as much as I do!“
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