Madison Ryann Ward returns with a new single following on from the popular, ‘Emotions’ released in May. ‘Wanda’ has Ward’s signature silky, smooth and soulful vocals along with a head-bopping vibe courtesy of UK Producer JimmyJames.
Madison’s story behind the track reveals that even the most talented people can question their ability and second-guess their calling. She admits in her case this can be due to a tendency toward perfectionism rather than insecurity, but we can all identify with that feeling of wondering if we’re on the right path. Fortunately for Madison, and those of us who benefit from her phenomenal musical gifts, her encouragement to carry on came from a most unlikely source:
“I was working at an elderly care facility not long ago where I met a woman named Wanda who basically inspired me to continue singing and writing when that pursuit had been in question. Every week Wanda would be visited by the cleaning staff and asked if she’d like for her apartment to be attended to, or if she’d prefer to clean it herself. She always gave the same reply, a reply that challenged me in more ways than I expected it to. Around this same time my friend JimmyJames had sent me a track, which, combined with Wanda’s words inspired the whole thing, and became a breather from my chronic perfectionism. I realized that even while contemplating some of the many changes that had occurred in my life since beginning my journey of recording music, I was inclined to agree with her —“If you don’t use it, you lose it!”
About Madison: Having started off, set to be a professional volleyball player, Ward’s career plans took a dramatic turn when a video of her singing in the college cafeteria went viral. She was then taken under the wing of legendary producer Rick Rubin (Def Jam) and ended up signing with American Recordings/Republic Records and moving to L.A. Despite touring with both Zac and Lukas Nelson, recording vocals for U2’s Bono’s ‘Women of the World’ campaign, and performing her first single ‘Mirror’ on the Jay-Z episode of David Letterman’s ‘My Next Guest Needs No Introduction’, Ward began to realize things were not headed where she wanted to be. In 2020 she made the brave decision to leave her deal, regroup and become an independent artist.
For those needing a feel-good pick-me-up and reminder of the purpose in whatever and wherever they currently find themselves, this track is a must-add to any personal pep-talk playlist.
Listen to WANDA: HERE
