It’s been a few months since working with MTS Management, but I always enjoy working with them and their artists. This is no exception. They reached out and introduced me to Madelyn Victoria, a young country musician. Yeah, I like dance music… But I am from Indiana. I didn’t have a chance but to listen to country music. Like I said, Madelyn is young, but she has a great voice, and just released a new single titled “He Only Loves Me on the Dance Floor.” Check it out here. It was fun learning more about her and her goals in country music. It is my pleasure introducing you to Madelyn Victoria.
I just love your voice. At what age did you realize you had a voice for country music?
Thank you so much! I mainly listened to country music since I could remember, so it was just natural for me to want to sing country. I mean I would listen to/sing a lot of different styles of songs, but I’d always end up picking a LeAnn Rimes or a Shania Twain song to sing for talent shows. I’d hear and see them performing live on TV and wanted to do what they were doing so id right away get up on our coffee table with a brush in hand and sing my little heart out. As I got a little older and started thinking about singing professionally I thought, “Well I love country music so much, and I love to sing, so I’m pretty sure I can make a good living out of singing the music I love!”
Tell me about your relationship with Radio Disney.
When I was 15 years old my parents took me to a talent search where I was picked up by an agency in Dallas. I had an audition through them with a group called Radio Disney Superstars and I was selected to perform with them throughout the summer of ’07. We were a group associated with Radio Disney and would sing all around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. That was when I had my first big show opening for the Jonas Brothers. It was the first time I’d ever perform to a huge crowd in a concert setting but felt like I’ve been doing it for years, and knew right then and there I’d be doing it for the rest of my life.
You were your high school’s Homecoming Queen. Tell me more about that.
I wanted to have a lot under my belt during high school to add to my resume for college and scholarships, so I thought running for homecoming queen and winning would show something about how well rounded I was. To me being a homecoming queen is like being a leader so I also hoped that my peers would like me to represent them as one. It turns out they did! Soon after I won, I received a letter from America’s Homecoming Queen Association. I didn’t realize there were also pageants for homecoming queens all over the US… I thought, “Well here’s an even bigger title to add to my resume if I win!” So I entered and competed against 52 other girls from all over Texas for the Texas Homecoming Queen title and won, then went on to win 2nd Runner Up in California at Disneyland for the Americas Homecoming Queen title. Being a part of the organization has taught me so much and I made so many amazing friends.
You’ve opened for a laundry list of big names including Tracy Lawrence, Zac Brown Band and Easton Corbin. Do you ever get nervous opening for such legendary country musicians?
I’ve been so blessed to be a part of such awesome shows like those you mentioned… I have gained so much experience on the stage and behind the scenes and it’s so humbling that I can do so at the small level of my career. I wouldn’t call it getting nervous but more like an exciting adrenaline rush or just a bit of anxiety to get on the stage… Then once I start singing with my band I feel at ease and ready to show the crowd what I got. It’s really awesome to get the amount of exposure to a crowd that’s there for the headliner.
What is Octave Higher Christmas?
Octave Higher Christmas is a project I started about 6 years ago where during the holidays I sing to children in hospitals, make them scarves, blankets, and even teddy bears! My band and I also have had two events where we select a group of children like Easter Seals or special education departments of a school and put on a show for them with food provided, different activities, and presents… I plan to make these events even bigger in the future in hopes to reach out to children in need everywhere.
Tell me more about your band members.
My brother Albert Vallejo is my acoustic guitar player, sound engineer, band leader, and co-writer. He is my musical partner in crime and I don’t know what I’d do without him. My bass player/drummer is Gil Ballesteros who I am so thankful for all his hard work and dedication… Means so much. I also have sit in musicians that include Matt Gonzalez, Eric Soto, Andy Walker and Omar Oyoque who are all amazing.
Do you enjoy working with MTS Management?
I love working with Michael Stover and MTS Management! With so much hard work from my team at MTS my single has been pushed to so many outlets and stations I could’ve never reached on my own. All the exposure I am getting is just so awesome. I’m so excited for more and more to come with MTS.
Who are some of your biggest influences in country music?
George Strait has to be my number one influence. His impact on the country music industry is astonishing and I hope I could do the same. His songs take me back to my childhood years riding around town with my dad and remind me of all the good memories of growing up. I also love Johnny Cash, Alan Jackson, Patsy Cline, and Loretta Lynn.
Have you ever considered a style other than country?
I can’t imagine singing another genre besides country. Country music is my life! But I do enjoy covering songs from many different styles. I used to sing Mariachi music and I love all kinds of music, especially classic/southern rock and soul/blues. I also plan to one day record a Mariachi album in honor of my heritage.
I love the video for “He Only Loves Me on the Dance Floor.” Tell me more about that video and who is “he” in the video?
Thank you! 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, Texas. 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.
Tell me about Star 1 Records.
Star 1 Records helps up and coming independent artists like myself boost up their careers with promotion, distribution, etc. without the “big label” commitments. I am so thankful for Laura Patterson and Star 1 Records for all their help and support.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
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. (Laughs.) I love to do anything outdoors and I also love to go dancing at honkytonks with my friends, go figure.
What is the best concert you’ve ever been to?
Oh, man, you can’t make me pick!! (Laughs.) I’ll list my top 5: George Strait, Blackberry Smoke, Zac Brown Band, Josh Turner and Dierks Bentley… George Strait was so epic for me because he is my biggest inspiration. Blackberry Smoke is an amazing southern rock band and they put on a show I can’t describe other than “pure gold.” Zac Brown Band is another that was just for me, a performance straight from Heaven! Those guys are blessed with so much talent. Josh Turner and Dierks Bentley just have this natural connection with the crowd and I had the time of my life at their concerts.
What’s next for Madelyn Victoria?
I’ll be going on my first radio tour very soon and also planning on some cool things in Nashville during CMA Music Festival. I also am looking into recording my first full length album this summer, so y’all stay tuned!
In all of the interviews I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.
I want to thank God, my family, friends, fans, MTS Management and Star 1 Records for all their support!!! I can’t wait to get more music out to y’all and thank everyone for showing love for the single I have out now.
Connect with Madelyn Victoria:
Website: http://www.madelynvictoriamusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madelynvictoria/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/madelynvictoria
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/madelynvictoria/
