Madelyn Victoria
By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
Musical up-and-comer Madelyn Victoria may only be 22-years-old, but the talented young woman from San Benito has already formed a habit of playing alongside some of the world’s top country music stars.
Madelyn was recently invited to be the opening act for Texas country music legend, Kevin Fowler when he plays in Pharr, the day before Thanksgiving, but this isn’t the first time the young songstress has shared a stage with Fowler. Madelyn said, “I shared the stage with Kevin Fowler once before at a friend’s show in Alice.”
Madelyn, who has been to at least six of his shows, says, “Kevin Fowler is one of my favorite artists overall.” She continued saying, “It’s pretty exciting to be his opening act now.”
Madelyn says the last time she watched Fowler in concert, “I took initiative to show up at his sound check…and I actually got to meet the band. I told them, ‘One day, I’m gonna open up for you guys.’”
Madelyn has opened for the likes of the Jonas Brothers, and this past February, she also opened for Clay Walker and Josh Thompson, that’s just listing a select few. The singer also gets airtime on KTEX 100.3, the Valley’s country music station, every Saturday night. This level of exposure and recognition doesn’t just fall from the sky. Rather, to reach this level requires real hard work and extreme determination, mixed with skill and perseverance.
To get to this point in her career, Madelyn said she has hit the pavement. “As an artist in the Rio Grande Valley who doesn’t have a record label or a booking agency, you have to go out and meet the people and show them who you are, introduce yourself; even at the radio with the program director.” Madelyn continued, saying, “It’s a halfway thing. I introduce myself, go out there, and they call me.”
At this Wednesday’s show, Madelyn says she’ll be the only opening act. She hopes to sing about seven original songs, including some unrecorded favorites, but she added, “of course I’ll do some covers…like George Strait.”
“Kevin Fowler and his band…” Madelyn says “they’re nice guys who are really down to earth.” She expanded on that thought by mentioning Fowler’s tendency to stick around after his concerts to talk to his fans and sign autographs.
Madelyn said, “I’m actually really excited about (performing) my original songs,” one of which was inspired by a band called Two Tons of Steel.
News: When did you first know you wanted to pursue a singing career?
Madelyn: “The first song I ever sang, my first official show was when I was five years old at San Benito High School. My cousin asked me to sing, and I sang “Silent Night.” Ever since then, I knew it was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”
News: Who are some of your musical influences?
Madelyn: Some of my early influences were Selena, Leann Rimes, Christina Aguilera and Shania Twain.
News: What is your musical ambition?
Madelyn: “Hopefully, by this time next year, my goal is to have my music all over (the state of) Texas!”
News: Who is in your band?
Madelyn: “I’ve never really had a set band, besides my brother who has been playing beside me since I started…The band that’s backing me up at the concert is called the Sons of the Rio Grande, and they are the grandsons of Country Roland who recently passed away last week.”
News: What are your plans for the future?
Madelyn: “Hopefully I will be recording in Austin, Texas next year with drummer Ken Tondre. I have a lot of faith in God and His guidance in my career. This time last year, I was barely having my CD release party.”
With enthusiasm, the singer said her career “gets bigger and better every year!”
You can catch Madelyn opening for Kevin Fowler live on November 21 at the Pharr Events Center. She will have merchandise such as her debut EP to sell, but mentioned she is low on CDs and won’t be ordering any more once this batch sells out. “I have about five more,” said Madelyn “and I’m saving them for the Fowler concert!” However, if you are a diehard fan who simply can’t wait until the concert, or you’re not lucky enough to snag one of her only remaining hard copies, you can always purchase her album on iTunes.
Additionally, Madelyn plays on Thursdays in Harlingen at Pappo’s Bar and when the weather permits, she plays at Clayton’s Beach Bar and Grill at South Padre Island on Fridays. But the Valley only has Madelyn for a few short months. The singer-songwriter has a budding career which is taking her up the state. She said, “At the end of January, I’ll be moving to Dallas continuing my career there.”
Madelyn said she is planning a special tribute to the late Country Roland for Wednesday’s show to pay her respects to the country music icon.
Read this story in the Nov. 21 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
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