Maddox Batson

William Maddox Batson was born on December 13, 2009, in Hermitage, Tennessee, and later resided in Birmingham, Alabama. In the summer of 2022, a diagnosis of Osgood-Schlatter disease impacted his ability to participate in sports. This period led him to engage with music, playing with his father and sharing performances on TikTok. A cover of “Dancing in the Sky” by Sam Barber posted in September 2023 achieved over one million views, contributing to his discovery by record executives and managers Eddie Franzoni and Nick Barr. This exposure initiated his performing career, with his first concerts in 2023, and led to him shifting to homeschooling to accommodate his burgeoning music career.

Batson’s musical career progressed rapidly in early 2024 with the release of his debut single, “Tears in the River.” This track entered the top twenty of Spotify’s US Viral 50 chart and accumulated approximately twelve million global streams by late 2024. His subsequent single, “I Wanna Know,” released in April 2024, reached number 19 on YouTube’s Trending page. In September 2024, he released “X’s,” which has since surpassed 16 million global streams. He performed at CMA Fest in 2024 and became the youngest artist to perform at Whiskey Jam, where he filled the venue. Batson holds a record deal with Warner Records, in partnership with Prosper Entertainment, and has undertaken a sold-out headlining tour across the United States. He also co-wrote “Tough” for Lana Del Rey and Quavo, a song that charted within the top forty of the US Billboard Hot 100, drawing inspiration from his grandfather and father.

In February 2025, Batson released the single “I Don’t Like You Anymore,” co-written with Ashley Gorley. This was followed by his debut EP, “First Dance,” released in March 2025. He made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry on March 26, 2025. Following a headlining tour in spring 2025, he is scheduled to open for Lainey Wilson during her Whirlwind World Tour, with dates commencing in September 2025. The music video for his song “Girl in Green” was released in spring 2025, described as being based on a true encounter with a fan. Batson has expressed plans to release additional music, including a potential full album. His musical influences include Morgan Wallen, George Strait, Michael Bublé, Garth Brooks, Playboi Carti, and Frank Sinatra.