Interview with TJ Maddux

by Christian Lamitschka for Country Music News International Magazine & Radio Show

Christian Lamitschka: Country Music has many new fans in Europe, who may be hearing about you for the first time. How would you describe yourself and the music you play to someone who’se never seen or heard you before.

TJ Maddux: My songs are from the heart, expressions of love for my wife,or my God. On this album they are mostly Ballads. Songs that tug on the heart strings.

Christian Lamitschka: What’s your latest CD and how’s it doing?

TJ Maddux: My latest cd is entitled Where I Wanna Be so far it is doing great. Several songs will be released for singles for Radio

Christian Lamitschka: How did you choose the title for the CD, is there a story behind it?

TJ Maddux: My Wife and I both write songs I have been writing for many years my wife has just began to write when she had written the song ‚Where I Wanna Be I was so proud of her..When we recorded the song  it turned out so well that we decided to use it for the title of the album. I am so proud of my Baby Doll.

Christian Lamitschka: Do you write the songs yourself and if not, how do you go about finding the songs for the your CD?

TJ Maddux: Yes. I have been writing songs for many years. My wife and I have only been married almost 3 years. I am writing better now than ever! Now that I have My inspiration..

Christian Lamitschka: Please tell us about the songs on your album.

TJ Maddux: There are 10 songs on my Album. 5 are love songs for my wife and 5 are country gospel (love songs to God) Tell me girl is a very up beat song . the first line says Tell me girl how to love you above the rest cause I wanna Be the best……song #2 Hand of mercy is a song about someone who has lost there way or who has had some kind of abuse in their life how they find God and it is all turned around………..song 3 When God Made You ( he had me in mind) is about that special person that God put in my life and making her my wife knowing that God made her just for me.

Song 4 is You Said…. Its about giving your whole heart to God and knowing that if you trust him he will give you the delights of your heart because that’s what his word says. Song # 5 She’s My Babydoll is also a song for my wife she is my Baby Doll! Song#6 There’s No Ram these are these thoughts that came to my mind when Jesus was in His final hours on this earth song#7 Where I Wanna Be my wife wrote this song for me expressing her love and desire to be with me (one reporter said to me that this song say’s what every man wants to say to their lover but can’t seem to find the words) Song#8 Tell Me Lord is an up tempo worship song! Song#9 Fairy Tales Can Come True (my first single off the album) to me this song reminds me of a time of when I was a child, when I still believed that Fairy Tales could come true the song speaks to the hearts of our youth it reminds us of a time in our lives when we did’nt know what it was to be hurt by someone that we were in love with. You see after we’ve been hurt we tend to put up walls to protect our hearts from that hurt….so the song simply say’s just let down the walls and give me a chance because I really love you with a Fairy Tale kind of love!…song 10 High Hosanna is a rocking song that tells the story of Jesus and his death buieal and resurection!

Christian Lamitschka: What’s the difference between your last CD and the current one?

TJ Maddux: The last CD was all gospel….this one is a mixture of county and gospel.

Christian Lamitschka: Your current single is being played by radio. What do you thing is special about this song that makes people want to heart it?

TJ Maddux: Its a song that gives you hope and something to believe in , everyone wants to believe in fairytales…not just children but adults to want to have something to believe in besides all of the bad things that are going on the world today.

Christian Lamitschka: What will your next single be?

TJ Maddux: Where I Wanna Be.

Christian Lamitschka: What kind of songs do you like to record the most?

TJ Maddux: Country….songs that will grab people’s hearts.

Christian Lamitschka: What’s your favorite song among all the songs you’ve recorded and what’s the story behind it?

TJ Maddux: I really like She’s My Baby Doll because it is a little different…. It has a Sax on it and I love the saxaphone on this song ……I wrote this song when I was a single man in Hopes that one day that I would meet my Baby Doll the woman who would just knock me right off my feet…And I did meet her!!!

Christian Lamitschka: How much creative control do you have over your music?

TJ Maddux: At this point My wife and I have complete control along with the guidance of my manager Robert Metzgar..

Christian Lamitschka: Who do you look up musically and how deep do your musical roots run?

TJ Maddux: Well,  Randy Owens Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry. They only live a few miles from me and I was raised on country & Southern rock, I do love Johnny Cash ,Waylon Jennings as well…

Christian Lamitschka: What do you think about today’s Country Music versus its roots and where do you see it going in the future?

TJ Maddux:I love it. Sheila and I are just finishing up on some newer songs that really rock the house we’re just itching to get back in the studio and do some recording

Christian Lamitschka: In your opinion, what is the biggest difference between „traditional“ and „new“ country music?

TJ Maddux: The newer I guess tends to lean more to the old Style of Southern Rock in some songs. Musically their more challenging  to play

Christian Lamitschka: If you had the chance to change something about the music industry, what would it be?

TJ Maddux: Stop Pay For Play if a song is worthy of radio and it speaks to your heart and your listeners, share it. Put a smile on peoples face bring some joy to the world…

Christian Lamitschka: As an artist you have to do so many different things such as recording, touring, doing interviews etc. What do you like best, what’s your favorite activity?

TJ Maddux: My wife and I love to ride our Harley that is our fav thing to do when we get the time…

Christian Lamitschka: What inspired you to become an artist?

TJ Maddux: The love for music and people….bringing a smile to someone along the way….

Christian Lamitschka: What inspired you to become a songwriter?

TJ Maddux: I guess the deep desire to share my inner feelings through music….

Christian Lamitschka: What drives you?

TJ Maddux: Love  for God and my Wife.

Christian Lamitschka: When you get time off, how do you like to relax?

TJ Maddux: Me and my Baby Doll Like to ride the Harley and enjoy life……

Christian Lamitschka: Is there anything in your life that you would change if you could?

TJ Maddux: I guess not I just wish I could have meet Baby Doll Sooner…..

Christian Lamitschka: Many European fans travel to Nashville for CMA Music Festival (Fan Fair), because of the opportunity to see so many of their favorite stars at the same time. Will you be participating and how will the fans be able to find you?

TJ Maddux: Yes I will be at Fan Fair….I will have a booth set up in the convention center to sell my products.

Christian Lamitschka: When you’re on tour, do you have time to play tourist?

TJ Maddux: Sometimes

Christian Lamitschka: Do fans mob you everywhere you go or do they allow you a private life?

TJ Maddux: At Times But I love My Fans!

Christian Lamitschka: Many music fans today get their information about artists via the internet. Do you have your own website and what will fans find there?

TJ Maddux: Yes.   Tjmaddux.com…….pictures, samples of my songs, dates and events that I will be playing at.

Christian Lamitschka: What’s the best compliment a fan has ever given you?

TJ Maddux: That I reminded them of Garth Brooks

Christian Lamitschka: What’s your favorite song that you wish you could have recorded?

TJ Maddux: You’ve Got The Touch by the group Alabama

Christian Lamitschka:  What message would you like to send your European fans?

TJ Maddux: That I love Europens and I wish them all the best of what live has to offer! And I hope that all their Fairy Tales Come True!!!