Jacksonville, FL native Madison Hughes, now based in Nashville, has captivated millions with her signature sultry, smooth, and smoky tone. Billboard recently quoted, “immensely talented…on a star-making trajectory. Madison grew up on a steady diet of her father’s early 70s folk-rock bands. She grew to enjoy a broad range of musical styles and that shows in her own eclectic musical style. She loved Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Carole King, Stevie Nicks, Levon Helm, Gillian Welch.
Madison was immersed in music at an early age taking guitar lessons with her dad and tried out for the 5th grade talent show with “Wild Thing.” Madison being an old soul, over time, she developed this signature smoky soulful sound that fans describe as “classic” and “timeless.” Unlike most rock stars, Madison grew up more reserved and with a humility that made her shy away from chasing her musical dreams earlier on. She didn’t blossom until she decided to try out for NBC’s The Voice, where she got a 3 chair turn and wowed the judges with her countrified rock anthem, “Knocking on Heaven’s Door.” Fans fell in love with Madison’s voice, describing it “like warm butter” “so soothing” and “hypnotic." Someone even commented “she sings with the pain of a 50 year old woman!”
Madison started posting more cover songs on social media after The Voice, and soon became known for making covers that people claim “are better than the original!” and “the meaning of the lyrics come through so much clearer the way she plays it.” Madison’s degree in digital media production from Florida State University came in handy — she learned how to produce her own music and video content. Her eye for aesthetics and marketing prowess spurred her to grow her digital fanbase to over 100,000 followers on Instagram, TikTok, and Spotify.
You might have heard Madison’s self-produced songs trending on social media, now racking up millions of listens, it’s honestly impressive how she has built this on her own with no team. Madison moved to Nashville not knowing how the industry worked but with her self-starter and hustler mentality, set up co-writes with hit songwriters and made connections with her contagious positive energy.
Despite the crowded country music market and “pay to play” business in Nashville, Madison has stayed persistent and cut through independently. Her original songs “You or the Whiskey,” and “Hate That You Love Me” were both a Billboard "must-hear country song," and her new single, “Someday Song,” got placed on four Spotify Editorial Playlists: Fresh Finds Folk, Emerging Americana, Lazy Afternoon, and Dinner With Friends. With more singles rolling out this Summer, Madison’s debut album is set to release this Winter, full of heavy hitter songwriters and producer duo Lera Lynn & Todd Lombardo.