Bio

Childhood .. The Beginning

Baby Maddie

Maddie was born and raised in the suburbs outside Philadelphia, in a small town in Delaware County. She grew up in a small cottage in the woods with her parents and older sister. As a baby, she found her calling by singing Disney songs while learning to talk. It was clear to everyone around her that she was blessed with the gift of song.

Her father, a musician himself, always had music playing throughout the household. Having a stay-at-home dad in her baby years, she was introduced to genres that would later influence her songwriting. The Beatles, KISS, Queen, and Michael Jackson were among the music her dad listened to. Talking Heads, The Monkees, and even composers such as Tomita and Danny Elfman influenced her love for music.

Her mother, an artist, worked long hard hours during Maddie's childhood to build a facepainting business to support the family.

Her father obtained a degree in technology during her years in grade school, landing him to work the position of a video technician at the Hospital University of Pennsylvania.

Teenage Years

In 6th grade, she and her family moved into a one story rancher with a finished basement, and big back yard. With mirrors covering both sides of the walls, the basement was a fun environment where Maddie would practice singing, dancing, and performing. Her father had music equipment set up, too, and she would sing with him and his friends for fun. She adored theatrical musicals such as The Nightmare Before Christmas, Chicago, Grease, and The Sound of Music.

Maddie didn't enjoy school, though her favorite subject was always History. It was like "story-time" for her, and she loved it! Even though, she was not involved with the musical theater programs in middle and high school, she participated in the Variety Show every year since kindergarten. Singing, of course.

Maddie was her school's go-to-girl when it came to the National Anthem. She'd sing at pep rallys, football games, basketball and soccer games, and other sports events.

In 2016, Maddie took classes at John Robert Powers Philadelphia for modeling and acting. She went on to participate and compete in competitions in the MAAI at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. She won the Overall Winner of the Monologue competition, by reciting a comedic monologue she had picked out and memorized from a random book her sister had brought in the hotel room. Maddie completely let her inner "Jim Carey" out for the judges, with her animated facial expressions and willingness to be silly and make others laugh.

She also won 2nd Place for Singing, 2nd Place for Runway Walking, 2nd Place for Makeup Application, and 3 medals for Dancing, Cold Reading, and "Legs".

After MAAI, Maddie appeared in Nickelodean's film "The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie" as an extra in the prom scene when she was 16 years old.

With both parents working full-time, Maddie missed out on auditions in New York. So she spent her weekends playing with friends on the trampoline, watching movies, and singing at open mic nights at the local coffee shop. She hung out with her older sister every day, and considers her sister her best friend to this day.

The Journey

How it all started

After graduating highschool in 2009, she attended college at Musician's Institute in Hollywood, California for Vocal Performance, in hopes to pursue a career as a recording artist. She moved back to Pennsylvania the following year, and had set her focus on something else for about 4 years... until the summer of 2014. That's when she was offered the opportunity to sing and play her guitar at Grace Winery. THAT made her break out of her shell.

Ever since August 2014, she has performed at a number of venues including The Legendary Dobbs, Hard Rock Cafe in Philadelphia, The Tower Theater, Congress Hall, Lansdowne Theater, and many more.

American Idol

One evening, she was checking her emails and was asked by a casting agent to do a private audition for producers of a popular show. She thought it was spam and didn't respond, until the agent reached out to her again! And that's when she agreed to audition.

Maddie appeared on the 15th season of American Idol, singing “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen, and "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga. She received a golden ticket from celebrity judges Jennifer Lopez, Harry Connick Jr., and Keith Urban.

Songwriting

Her approach to songwriting & influences

Accompanying herself with an acoustic guitar, she has sang covers of numerous genres over the years, and continues to wow audiences with her originals.

"I write songs with my acoustic guitar for accompaniment, however, most of my originals are pop. I love singing a variety of different genres, so when I write, I take inspiration from genres such as rock and roll, hip hop, country, pop, metal, theatrical musicals, and movie soundtrack music."

Maddie considers herself a storyteller and she does it through song.

By drawing inspiration from situations she sees others going through, she is able to create stories written in first person, and then make it into a song.

And, of course, some pieces are also written from personal experience.

Her childhood musical influences haven't changed, but they have branched out to many genres!

Nowadays, Maddie's musical influences include:

Walker Hayes, KISS, Rihanna, The Beachboys Sabrina Carpenter, John Mayer, Shania Twain, Eminem, Lainey Wilson, Taylor Swift, Little Big Town, Shakira, Mac Miller, and Billie Eilish.

Just to name a few! ;)

Right Now

The Time is Now

She has worked with renowned producer Joe "The Butcher" Nicolo, who produced her first three songs: Wrong Guy, Heart Bruises, and Beautiful Temporary.

Maddie has since been working with Nashville's award winning producer Dr. Ford, who produced her latest EP entitled Private Life,

as well as her singles ATM Machine, Golden Ticket, Gotta Get Me Some, and Relationship Road.

They have recorded more unreleased music, so be sure to follow her on Instagram and Facebook for updates!!

Maddie Hogan

Biography