By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
It is a pleasure to welcome singer-songwriter Savannah Maddison to Jake’s Take.
Savannah’s passion for music caught the attention of world-renowned entertainment agency CAA, which signed her in 2018. Savannah found success with her two recent singles: “More Than a Rumor” and “If You Can,” which the latter song debuted on Radio Disney. In addition to her music, Savannah Maddison is active with philanthropy with her non-profit 501C3 organization: Savannah’s Soldiers.
Savannah’s Soldiers focuses on students sending letters of encouragement to deployed soldiers around the world. The organization has sent over 350,000 messages, and over 1 million children across the United States have participated in this program. Recently, she published Sincerely: YOU, Letter Writing to Change the World through Penguin Random House.
In this edition of “A Conversation,” Savannah Maddison talked about her songwriting process, “If You Can,” and Savannah’s Soldiers’ worldwide impact.
Jacob Elyachar: When did you get interested in music? How did that passion evolve into the desire to pursue a career in the recording industry?
Savannah Maddison: I love to sing for as long as I can remember, but I knew that I wanted to pursue music as a career at the age of 10 when I auditioned to sing the national anthem for the Miami Marlins. After being booked and performing in front of the stadium for the first time, I fell in love with being on stage. I began to learn the ins and outs of the industry at a young age and started writing music and playing guitar. Since then, I moved to Nashville after signing with CAA and began working professionally as a recording artist. I love getting to share my music with my followers and #safannah’s!
Jacob Elyachar: Can you describe your songwriting process with my readers?
Savannah Maddison: Writing music is an exceptional part of my job. I first learned to write in Nashville at the age of 10 and have been developing my skills non-stop since then! Lyrics are my strong suit, so I typically start with developing a picture with lyrics around a song idea. In Nashville, we have some of the most incredible musicians in the world, so I love to co-write with others when it comes to music and melodies. The best (and sometimes scariest) part of the songwriting process is sharing what you have created with others. I always start with my mom before showing others to get her opinion!
Jacob Elyachar: What have been some of the challenges that you faced throughout your career? How did you overcome those obstacles?
Savannah Maddison: Being so young in this industry is something that I now see as a great thing, but it was not always that way. When I first came to Nashville as a 10-year-old with no resume and big dreams, it was challenging to get songwriters to work with me. Instead of giving up, I made sure to continue to develop skills on my own and learn from every experience I was given. Eventually, I was able to grow a team and social media following that made others pay attention. This determination is something that I have carried with me since I was starting, and I have learned that your hard work will never let you down.
Jacob Elyachar: Let’s talk about your new single: “If You Can.” Could you describe the story behind the song?
Savannah Maddison: “If You Can” is my favorite song that I have released so far! During a recent trip to LA, I had a writing session scheduled with multi-platinum producer Andrew Lane. The night before the write, he sent me the track we’d be writing to for inspiration, and I was so excited about the music that I decided to get started early. I had the entire song done in 20 minutes, and the next morning. I brought it to Andrew to perfect. We loved the concept of a whirlwind relationship and falling in love quickly, and I came up with the “catch me if you can” hook to encompass the feeling of falling for someone fast and hoping that they feel the same way. The response to “If You Can” release has been incredible! It’s currently in heavy rotation on Radio Disney and is trending on social media platforms like TikTok. I am so thankful for all of the love in this song!
Jacob Elyachar: In addition to your music work, you started a non-profit, Savannah’s Soldiers, which has sent 350,000 letters of encouragement from students that would give hope to soldiers around the world. How has this movement helped provide students then opportunity to connect with the men and women who are defending the United States?
Savannah Maddison: Yes! Around the same time that my music career began at age 10, I had a best friend whose father was in the army and was about to be deployed. This was my first experience with deployment, and I knew that I wanted to do something to help my friend through it. We began sending letters to the soldiers in her father’s battalion, and after being featured on The TODAY Show, the project exploded! Savannah’s Soldiers became a 501c3 organization and has since sent over 350,000 letters from students across the country to deployed military members all around the world. I have had the honor of speaking for over 1 million children across the country and encouraging them to start their service projects as well as teaching the importance of appreciating our military.
Jacob Elyachar: You have also released Sincerely, You: Letter Writing to Change the World. Could you describe your writing process with my readers?
Savannah Maddison: Sincerely, You is my first book! It released in November of 2019 under Random House Publishing and is now available in all book retailers. It tells the story of how I started a 501c3 at a young age through interactive chapters: each named for a character trait I developed along the way. Confidence, creativity, and bravery are among my favorites! I loved being able to expand the message that I speak about in schools through writing the book, and I hope it continues to inspire kids to do big things.
Jacob Elyachar: Who are your dream collaborators (singers, songwriters, and producers)? How would they enhance your sound?
Savannah Maddison: I am inspired by so many incredible country and pop artists. I live in Nashville now, so I often pull from country roots when writing, but add a South Florida pop flair to every song I create. Because of this, I love acoustic pop artists like Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, Kelsea Ballerini, and Cam.
Jacob Elyachar: If you had the opportunity to meet with aspiring recording artists who want to enter the music industry, what advice would you share with them?
Savannah Maddison: You have the power to make your dreams come true! There will be no’s and setbacks, but you can ALWAYS choose to stand up and try again. Stay true to your sound, network like crazy, and always be prepared to maximize an opportunity!
For more information about Savannah Maddison and Savannah’s Soldiers, visither website.
You can also connect with Savannah Maddison on social media. Visit her Facebook,Instagram, & Twitter channels.
