How can people find your music? Website (www.maddyetrew.com), YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify.
What is your current single and/or album? “Merry, Merry Christmas”.
What was a typical Thanksgiving meal look like for your family? No matter how many of us can make it back home for Thanksgiving…EVERY dish is cooked! I normally make my grandmother’s “mac and cheese” recipe that she, in my opinion, perfected by having the right amount of what we would all expect, with every ingredient magnified! (HA!) When I was little, we’d get together at her sister’s — (my Aunt Diddy’s) — farm. Tables and chairs would have to be set up in the garage to accommodate for all of us. They made my childhood Thanksgivings so special, and I miss all of them so much!
How has your Thanksgiving celebration changed since you have became an adult? It’s mostly changed as people have sadly passed away or moved out of Tennessee. I’m excited for this year, as it is my dad’s side of the family’s turn to host, and we will also have my mom’s father with us. We’re in a new house that is perfect for big gatherings, and our Christmas decorations look really pretty! I have started contributing to the cooking, (still just my nana’s “mac and cheese,” but we’ll see what else I might do this year – Ha! I also enjoy the glass of wine I get to share with my aunt and cousin now as an “adult.” Ha!
What is your favorite Thanksgiving Day memory? My favorite Thanksgiving memory is playing board games with my grandmother, my brother, and my mom in the lake house we rented outside of Nashville. It was beautiful, hidden away from the world. There was a gazebo I could sit in outside and play my guitar. We played all kinds of games and watched movies. We made every dish — even for just the four of us — so we were SO full. My dog, Roxy, was still living then, cute and running all over the place. It was just really peaceful and a great Thanksgiving!
What are you most thankful for this year? Ooo, honestly… my music career. And with that, where do I begin? Because when you go down this road, you’re surrounded by people that share the same passion as you, and you get to pursue some of the coolest opportunities. First, I have to say I’m really grateful for the support I have! I don’t take that for granted! I’m grateful for the person I’m becoming when I’m in the public eye. I’m in a position where I can inspire others, and I don’t take it lightly that I get to do that. It’s also a real confidence builder, to be honest. I’m pushed to believe in myself every day, and when you can feel that way and hold onto it, it’s a huge blessing. Overall, I’m just a happier person chasing my dreams!! This year, we stepped into the radio world for the first time, which was very cool — visiting radio stations, hearing my songs played, going on air with deejays to talk about music I’ve written! We got travel to different stations in different states and made new friends. I went back to my hometown to open for Darryl Worley again, so that was awesome! Going back as a musician from Nashville is really surreal, and I still have that hometown support I did as a kid, so I love that! There are a lot of things that have happened to be thankful for, and I can’t wait for what’s next! It feels like we’re on the way up, and every day is a blessing!
Do you prefer artificial Christmas trees or real trees? We’ve always had artificial trees, but I enjoy the idea of a real one, and I wouldn’t be opposed to putting one in the home I raise kids in down the road … Ha! Right now, I have fun shopping for real ones with my friend Jacquie, who likes to get one for her downtown apartment. We normally make a night out of it and grab a drink at some holiday themed bar in the city along the way.
When do you decorate your Christmas tree? I decorate the Christmas tree before Thanksgiving, because we are normally hosting the holiday now … and we like to see the tree as long as we can!
What is your favorite Christmas song? What makes it your favorite? “Baby, It’s Cold Outside!” I LOVE singing it, because it’s such a smooth song. It’s also a duet, which makes it more fun!
What is your go-to holiday drink? Well, it’s different every year. We’ve started a tradition with my uncle Greg where we make holiday cocktails. We got him a book and special glasses for us to drink out of only at Christmas. My algorithm on Instagram is all over it now (holiday drink recipes) so I’m sending him ideas that look fun! This year, I’m leveling up and bringing Christmas-themed ice molds and edible glitter! (Ha!) I’m really excited, and I think my spirit of choice will most likely be whiskey or champagne.
What is your favorite Christmas present that you have ever received? The favorite Christmas present I’ve gotten? That’s a tough one. Because when you’re a country singer, the gifts can get pretty cool. I’d say it’s between my Daniel Diamond Jacket and my customized guitar strap. If you don’t know what Daniel Diamond is, look it up or look up your favorite girl country artist! They’re more than likely wearing something from that company that’s dripping in diamonds. My mom and grandmother surprised me with one two years ago, and I feel incredible every time I get to wear it! My custom guitar strap has the lyrics to my single, “Your Song,” engraved on it, which is really cool. It’s rustic and pretty and by far my favorite strap.
What were your Christmas traditions when you were younger? Watching Hallmark movies is a big thing for me! On Christmas Day, my brother and I would have to wait by the staircase for my parents before we could go down to see what Santa had brought, because mom wanted to film us and needed to make sure everyone was up to see us get our presents. We would sometimes go to whatever movie was out that day, but mostly we just hung around the house and enjoyed our gifts. We’d do all the other common things beforehand, too, like making gingerbread houses or opening a single present early before the actual holiday. (Ha!) I have good childhood Christmas memories.
How have your Christmas celebrations changed since becoming an adult? Our sweet Lily girl! We go to North Carolina to visit my now six-year-old cousin Lily so we can see what Santa brings to her house! I love watching her celebrate Christmas and hearing her tell us all about her “Elf on the Shelf!” We’ll hang out at the house, play games, watch A Charlie Brown Christmas and go out to explore the town. It’s a very fun and peaceful week trip for us, and I look forward to it every year!!
What is your favorite Christmas memory? My favorite Christmas memories are from holidays spent in Chicago. Lily was a just a baby, and we were all excited about our new addition to the family. We went ice skating at Wrigley field and got hot chocolate. Once we left Lily at home with my grandmother to go explore a few Christmas bars. (They really deck them out up there!) There was one covered up with decorations and doing karaoke, so of course I participated in that! Our group was fun, and it was just the best trip until Lily and her family relocated to North Carolina. I am definitely a “Christmas in Chicago” girl!
How do you spend the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day? I hang out with friends or be lazy around the house … before the resolutions have to kick in!
How do you spend New Year’s Eve? Oh, man, it’s different every year. In college, it was more of a priority to get a ticket to celebrate on down on Broadway in Nashville. Now, I’m usually either counting down the year somewhere we can get in with friends or at home watching the Times Square TV special!
What do you typically eat on New Year’s Day? Well, it’s a new year, so … “New Me!” (Ha!) So, I stick to Paleo, unless I’ve gone out the night before … and want McDonald’s. (LOL)
Do you have a New Year’s Resolution for 2025? I do! I want to be more self-disciplined and improve my posture.