ELLY GRIMM
• Leader & Times
This year’s High Plains Music Fest will include a bit of old school this year from the event’s youngest performer, Maddox Ross.
As Ross tells it, he got bitten by the music bug early, and it has stayed with him since.
“I've been performing with a live band since I was 5 years old, but I've always had that love for music and singing country music since I was probably 3 years old or so. Instead of watching cartoons all day, I was watching Garth Brooks music videos on this DVD set my parents had, and I got to the point where I knew all the words and all those songs and everything,” Ross said. “I have a particular memory of going to the state fair one year and I was on my dad's shoulders with a Scooby-Doo toy in one hand and a corn dog in the other, and I looked over in some direction and saw a karaoke tent and told my dad 'I want to go do a concert!' So he took me over and I started singing 'Friends in Low Places' and the guy running that stand was trying to show me where to read the lyrics and everything, but my dad had to tell him 'He's only 4 years old, he can't read yet.' I got through that song without missing a single word or beat, and I remember throwing up the rock n' roll sign after I finished. Ever since then, I've been singing around oprys and other events and ever since December 2022, I've been doing music full time and doing multiple gigs a week, so I'm trying to chase that honkytonk dream, so to speak.”
In fact, Ross said, music has been his main focus since childhood.
“I've known I wanted to be in music since I was about 5 or 6 years old, there's just never really been anything else I've wanted to do. I caught the music bug early, and it's just stayed with me,” Ross said with a chuckle. “When I was little, I was also playing soccer and doing other kids' sports, but I was doing so many gigs even then, it got to the point where I was missing practice and then my dad asked me 'Would you rather play sports or keep doing music?' and I didn't even hesitate before saying 'Music.'”
It was earlier this year when Ross said he got the call about performing at this year’s High Plains Music Fest.
“One of my cousins lives in Kansas, and he knows a radio DJ there and said something along the lines of 'This is my cousin, you NEED to hear some of his music!'” Ross said. “They started playing some of my music on the radio then, and then my Spotify listens shot up like crazy. It turns out, the High Plains Music Fest people also know this particular DJ, so they called him and said 'We need an opener for this year, do you have any suggestions?' and my name came up, and it was only a few days later when we got a call from them about being one of the performers and told us who the other performers would be, including Bailey Rae, who I've actually known for a long time. After hearing her name as well as The Great Divide, I knew I had to be part of the show, and it's just a complete blessing to be able to be part of it all, and I'm really excited. My initial reaction was running around the house in excitement, and I was also really, really thankful for the opportunity. I've been working at this since I was little, and I'm honored to be getting some recognition and getting the chance to perform at this event.”
This year’s High Plains Music Fest will be Ross’ debut not just in the area, but Kansas as a whole.
“The High Plains Music Fest will actually be my first-ever Kansas gig, so I feel like it'll be a great way for me to get myself started there. I'm really excited to get onstage and sing for everyone who will be there that night,” Ross said. “I've done a bit of research about past performers, and I know there's been some great ones who have been there throughout the years like Clare Dunn and Exit West and those great country artists, so I'm honored to be part of that tradition.”
Ross also offered encouragement for people to come out that evening and take part in the festivities.
“The lineup that night is absolutely amazing with Bailey Rae, Grady Spencer, and The Great Divide, so there shouldn't be any reason for anyone to leave that night unsatisfied with who they see. The Great Divide is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated country music groups, so I know they'll be amazing,” Ross said. “Overall though, it'll be a fun time and we'll all be jamming, and the audience will be able to sing along with all the performers. People can expect to be a little surprised by what I sing, because I definitely have more of an old soul and follow more along the lines of Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard and those artists. I'm really excited to be part of this year's show because I feel like there will be a big crowd there that night ready to enjoy some good music. I've always had that desire to put a smile on everyone's faces – whether it's five people or 50 or 1,000, if I can make at least one person happy, that's a good set for me. I'm also excited to take in the other bands who will be there that night, I know they'll bring a lot of energy, so it should be a great time all around for everyone that evening.”
Ross also teased some future work.
“Right now, we're in a few writing sessions working on some songs, and I've got a few songs that are finished and need recording, which I expect we'll be doing later this fall, and I'm really looking forward to that,” Ross said. “I did have a single come out last week called 'Horses and Heartaches,' which I got to write with Danny Wells, who happens to be one of the writers of George Strait's 'Check Yes or No,' and some other really well-known songs, and that was an amazing experience. Anyone wanting to follow what we're doing can find me on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and people can also find me on all the different streaming platforms if they want to hear some of my music.”
Overall, Ross said, he is excited to be part of this year’s High Plains Music Fest fun.
“I'm really excited for the High Plains Music Fest, I think it's going to be a great show for everyone, and everyone who turns out should end up having a great time,” Ross said.
