Maddox Ross

About

Maddox Ross represents the next generation of Texas country songwriters learning their craft from the masters. His co-write "Horses and Heartaches" with legendary songwriter Danny Wells earned Honorable Mention and Top 10 Finalist status at the 2025 Texas Country Music Association Songwriter Contest—recognition that carries extra weight given Wells' extraordinary track record.

Danny Wells is one of country music's most successful songwriters, with credits including George Strait's "Check Yes or No," Rascal Flatts' "These Days," and songs recorded by Alabama, Chris Young, Kane Brown, Sara Evans, Scotty McCreery, and many others. For a young country performer and songwriter like Ross to co-write with Wells represents both validation of his talent and an invaluable education in the craft of country songwriting. Wells doesn't co-write with just anyone—he chooses collaborators who understand classic country values and can bring fresh perspective to timeless themes.

"Horses and Heartaches" demonstrates Ross's ability to work within classic country traditions—the song title itself evokes decades of country music history—while bringing contemporary sensibility to the material. The TCMA Songwriter Contest recognition, particularly the Top 10 Finalist designation among hundreds of entries, confirms that industry professionals and peers recognize his potential.

Ross's choice to pursue classic country themes in an era when the genre often feels pulled toward pop production and hip-hop influences shows artistic courage. His collaboration with Danny Wells connects him to a lineage of great country songwriting while his own emerging voice promises to carry these traditions forward. In Texas country, where songwriting has always been valued above image or trends, Maddox Ross is building his career the right way—learning from legends, honing his craft, and writing songs that honor the genre's past while speaking to contemporary audiences. His performance and recognition at TCMA events marks him as an artist to watch as he develops his catalog and career.