When Maddox Batson steps on stage, it’s not with the nervous energy you might expect from a teenager making his debut at one of the biggest country music festivals in the world. It’s with poise, power, and a whole lot of personality — exactly what you’d expect from someone whose charm has already captivated thousands of fans, from the Grand Ole Opry to sold-out clubs across the country.
We caught up with Maddox moments after his first-ever Stagecoach performance last month, and spoiler alert: the hype is very real.
“It’s hot, but I’m vibing,” Maddox grins, still buzzing from the afternoon sun and the roar of the crowd. “I’ve always loved the desert. I came to Stagecoach last year just to hang out — and now I just played to a full crowd. That’s surreal.”
Maddox is the kind of artist who feels equally at home on stage and in a FaceTime-style backstage chat. He greets everyone with a “Yes, ma’am” or “Dude, it was lit,” flipping between southern sweetheart and Gen Z goofball with ease. But don’t let the smile fool you — he’s taking his music career very seriously.
Out now via Prosper Entertainment and Warner Records, Maddox’s 10-track deluxe EP First Dance (The After Party) expands on the emotionally honest, Gen-Z-coded storytelling he introduced on his debut project earlier this year. With three brand-new tracks — “Somewhere South,” “2 Feet,” and the buzzy focus single “I Need A Truck” — Batson isn’t just putting out music; he’s building a movement.
“This project is for the fans. They are the after party,” Maddox tells Celeb Secrets. “I wanted to give them more of everything—more stories, more energy, more reasons to sing along at the top of their lungs.”
And they do. At his shows, girls scream the lyrics before they’re even officially released. It’s a phenomenon that echoes the early days of One Direction (a comparison Maddox totally owns).
“I love One Direction. That energy, that connection, that feeling of every single person singing—it’s what I grew up on. That’s what I want to bring to country.”
At the heart of the deluxe is “I Need A Truck,” co-written with country hitmaker Ashley Gorley (if you know, you know). The song is catchy, cheeky, and instantly relatable — even if, like Maddox, you technically don’t have your driver’s license yet.
“It’s about not having a car to go pick your girl up. You need something — a truck — to make it happen. I actually need a truck in real life, so the song hits even harder,” he laughs.
The music video, directed by Jake The Shooter, captures that playful spirit perfectly: dusty California backroads, a vintage Chevy, and a teen star soaking up his moment in the sun—literally and metaphorically.
“It was so fun. I got to drive this old Chevy… only like 10 miles an hour, but it still counts,” he jokes.
If you think the music is impressive, just wait until you see him live. Maddox wrapped his first headline tour just days before Stagecoach — and every show was sold out. For a debut run, that’s more than a win. That’s a statement.
“My band surprised me during the last show. They played a Backstreet Boys song and made me sing it solo,” he says, laughing. “I had no idea what was happening. It was wild—but honestly, kind of iconic.”
He’s not slowing down anytime soon. His I Need A Truck Tour kicks off this September with 29 dates across the U.S., hitting every region from the Carolinas to California. But the real full-circle moment? Joining Lainey Wilson’s Whirlwind Tour for a handful of arena shows — including the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
“That’s my hometown arena. I’ve gone to so many concerts there. To play it? That’s insane,” Maddox says. “Lainey’s incredible. She’s the biggest woman in country music right now, and we share fans — especially the younger girl crowd. So it’s gonna be a really special connection.”
Even as the venues get bigger and the stages brighter, Maddox Batson stays grounded in what makes him shine: honesty, hustle, and a whole lot of heart. He’s a co-writer on every track, a self-taught multi-instrumentalist (guitar, piano, mandolin), and a student of the genre’s greats. He even co-wrote “Tough” by Lana Del Rey and Quavo. Yes. That Lana Del Rey, and he told us all about it in our sit-down chat earlier this year.
But for all the big-name co-signs and Billboard buzz, he’s still a teen with big dreams and a dream after-party fantasy to match.
“It’d be in Cabo, pool party vibes, Bailey Zimmerman as the surprise guest, and I’d get on stage with him for ‘Rock and a Hard Place.’ That’d be legendary.”
Honestly? It’s not hard to imagine that party happening in real life. Maddox is already halfway there.
If you’re into emotionally charged country-pop bops, electric live shows, and the kind of sweet-meets-sassy energy that defines a whole new generation of artists — then yes. Absolutely. Maddox Batson isn’t just next up. He’s now.
For more on Maddox’s music, make sure to watch our full interview from Stagecoach below, and don’t forget to let us know what you think of the star-in-the-making by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecretscountry.
Interview was edited and condensed for clarity. For more coverage from Stagecoach 2025, click here.
