Growing up in the small town of Temecula, CA, Maddie Leigh was raised with a strong foundation of family and faith. She and her two younger sisters grew up surrounded by horses, cats and dogs, cultivating her love for animals and the outdoors. Some of her fondest memories include catching fireflies, going camping and building bonfires.
Maddie Leigh discovered her love for music at a young age. As a child, Maddie loved to listen to country classics like George Strait, Brooks & Dunn, Trisha Yearwood and Faith Hill – all of which helped mold her into the musician she is today. She began singing in the church choir when she was just six years old. By the time she was nine, she was already taking voice lessons and competing in singing competitions. “The first time I got on stage in front of a group of people, I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
Maddie’s large vocal range and unique sound set her apart from the crowd. Between 2016 and 2019, she released five original songs and two covers. She was named “Female Entertainer of the Year” in 2016 by NACMAI (North American Country Music Association International) and took second place for “Most Promising New Country Singer” and “Video of the Year (Wishing).” That same year, she was awarded “Female Entertainer of the Year,” “Most Promising New Country Vocalist,” “Future Star Entertainer,” and “Future Star Vocalist” by the West Coast Country Music Association.
Currently a senior at Belmont University in Nashville, TN, Maddie is studying songwriting and music business. She has opened for national acts, including Jason Aldean and Tucker Beathard (25th Annual Oregon Jamboree), as well as Honey Country. She hopes to one day perform at both the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium, write a hit song for a major recording artist and record a duet with Brett Eldredge.
Adding a modern spin to traditional country music, Maddie takes inspiration from the likes of Kelsea Ballerini, Maddie and Tae, and Luke Combs – just to name a few. Her newest single “Morning After” was released on August 26, 2022.
Six Facts People May Not Know About Me…
1.I don’t like spicy food.
2.I had a two horses growing up named Gypsy and Twink (nicknamed Twinkle Toes).
3.I am a huge fan of P!nk.
4. I am extremely competitive.
5. I can yodel.
6. I can sing like Shakira.
Twelve Songs That Have Impacted My Life and Career…
“Independence Day” – Martina McBride
This was one of the first songs I ever sang and it was one of the first songs that inspired me to become a songwriter because of how detailed the song was and how clear of an image the lyrics were painting. Martina McBride’s music is what inspires me as both a songwriter and artist and this song was just the starting point.
“A Life That’s Good” – Nashville Cast
I always say this is my anthem song. I sing it when I am happy, sad, unsure, and when I just need to feel like myself again. It is a piece of my soul that I wish I wrote and I love it to pieces.
I was always the shortest person in my class and whenever anyone would make fun of me for it my dad would play this song in the car. Ever since then, I have just loved the song. It brings back good memories of listening to it with my dad in the car and reminds me where I come from.
This song was a turning point for me as a songwriter and artist. From the moment I heard it, I knew I wanted to write a song that made people feel the way that song made me feel. It is just so real and kind. It just grounds me and reminds me where I come from.
I have the best memories of hearing this song on the radio while in the car with my dad when I was little. I still listen to this song today, whenever I’m going through something that’s extremely difficult.
When we were on my first tour across the country, we drove 16 hours straight, woke up in Amarillo the next morning and played that song. It brings back so many good memories and is a good reminder of why I do what I do.
I sang this song at one of my closest family friend’s celebration of life. Her name was Heather and she was like my second mom growing up. She loved P!nk and Heather and I would listen to her all the time together. When I sang this song, it felt like she was the one singing to me and to this day I still think of her when I hear this song.
My mom would always sing this one to my sisters with the hopes that we would do everything we could to live the fullest lives we could. When I first moved to Nashville, I would listen to this song all the time and it would remind me of my mom and to just do what makes me happy. It is one of my all-time favorite songs.
The first time I heard this song was when Brad Paisley and Little Jimmy Dickens sang it at the Grand Ole Opry. From then on, it became one of my favorite songs and every time I think about it, I think about country music and the Grand Ole Opry. The Grand Ole Opry has always been my dream place to sing and hearing this song being sung at the Opry is what kickstarted that dream.
The amount of times I cried to this song is astronomical. I would sing it when I was at so many low points in my life and it was just so overwhelmingly comforting. My faith is a huge part of who I am and no song brings me to my knees in prayer like this one.
As a kid, this was my anthem song. Everyone always knew me as the super happy-go-lucky little girl and when this song came out, I fell in love with it. To this day, when I am having a good day and am really feeling like myself, I play this song or when I am feeling sad, I play it to cheer myself up.
I went to Catholic High School growing up and this song was one the entire school would sing together and I always felt so close to my friends and community when we all sang this song. It brought us together. So, whenever I hear this song, I am reminded of all of the good memories I had during high school.
