Lindsay’s Madison Kozak is back from Nashville to thrill country fans at Grove Theatre

Local favourite Madison Kozak, now based in Nashville, will be bringing her compelling voice and country music to The Grove Theatre in Fenelon Falls on Aug. 9 along with guests Griffen Palmer and Nate Haller.

“I haven’t done a local show in a long time so I am really excited,” says Kozak. The Advocate spoke to her while she was driving back from Nashville to Ontario to play at the Boots and Hearts Festival (Canada’s largest camping and country music festival) on Aug. 7 followed by the show at the Grove two days later.

Since leaving Lindsay for Nashville at the age of 14 to pursue her music career, Kozak has gone on to some amazing accomplishments. She has played with Willie Nelson, Tanya Tucker and has received a standing ovation at the world-famous Grand Ole Opry. In 2020, she was selected as one of Country Music Television’s ‘next women of country’ and was the flagship artist signed to the woman-focussed Songs & Daughters record label, founded by award-wining songwriter and music executive Nicolle Gaylon.

The evening is billed as a ‘Songwriters Session’ where attendees get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to write and perform original music.

For Kozak, whose music Rolling Stone magazine called “sharp, swooning, and all the right kinds of sentimental,” this type of performance is one of her favourite types of shows.

“These types of events, often called songwriters circles, are very popular in the Nashville scene. I really like the intimate setting. There’s less ‘noise.’ It’s more stripped down. It’s a chance to get personal. You get to lean into the emotion of the song,” she says.

Kozak will be joined by two up-and-coming singer-songwriters at the Grove. Pickering-born Griffin Palmer — who has written songs for Keith Urban and Georgia Florida Line — and Nate Haller  — who had a Canadian Country radio top 10 hit in 2021 with his song Lightning in a Bottle  — will also be performing at the event.

“I’m really excited to be sharing the stage with these guys. We run in the same circle in Nashville,” says Kozak.

2022 has been a big year for Kozak, who has released four singles, including her new single Loud House which was just released on this week.

“It’s exciting to be doing a hometown show and releasing a song about where you come from. It’s great to come home and release a song and play it with the people it’s about,” she adds.

The song, about growing up in a large family, is emblematic of the type of songwriting Kozak (who is the seventh of eight children) is becoming increasingly known for.

“Music builds a bridge for people to come together and share personal experiences. My songs can be like a page ripped out of my diary. Sharing vulnerable stories with others is inspiring. That’s why I write confessional songs,” says Kozak.

Tickets for the show, which starts at 7:30 pm, can be purchased here.