Country artist Madonna Nash may be new to country radio and the genre's fans, but the North Carolina native is changing that fast, thanks to the bubbling success of her debut single, "Dirty Little Secret," and its accompanying music video.
The blond singer-songwriter, once dubbed the best-kept secret of her home state's country-music scene, has released a self-titled debut that showcases her vocals and tunesmithing talents front and center, including on the "Dirty Little Secret" track, which she penned all by her lonesome.
"It's a little bit mischievous, a little bit dirty, raw, or sassy," Nash said of her current single in a Dec. 21, 2011, Billboard write-up."That's what we were going for. I think it gives off a little bit of my personality, especially when I do it on stage. It kind of throws people for a loop."
‘Dirty Little Secret’ Music Video Earns Singer New Country Fans
Beyond the single’s growing popularity, these days the “Dirty Little Secret” video is in the running for online viewer voting on Country Music Television’s Social Hour video show, with fan support percolating along. However, the come-hither/sexy tone of Nash’s freshman single is merely a scratch on the proverbial surface that hints toward all this country starlet has to offer.
Released on the Mad Charm label, the Madonna Nash disc was produced by Dave Demay and Charles Fulp (who has produced multiple top-20 Billboard singles). For the album, Nash also managed to assemble a Grammy-winning team of studio engineers and musicians who have worked with country hit-makers such as Taylor Swift, Dierks Bentley, Tim McGraw, Kellie Pickler, Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker.
In the songwriting department, the self-titled offering features a lucky-13 tracks, all of which Nash penned solo or co-inked. Among the tunes is plenty of variety, too, but most likely, contemporary-country lovers will hail the album as a coveted new discovery. To this end, Nash, via her artist biography, has said, "My songs are definitely country, but when you listen to them, you’ll find hints of rock, pop and blues, too. It’s just good, fun music.”
Country Newcomer Boasts First-rate Songwriting Talent
Undeniably, the songstress has a way with a tune when it comes to her vocal delivery, dishing out heartfelt numbers such as “You Never Say It First,” as well as the line dance-ready “Whiskey Whispers,” wherein she warns her beloved that his alcohol-fueled advances have bought him a one-way ticket to the couch, not her bed.
On the rollicking, guitar-driven “Swingin’ Door,” Nash puts a cheatin’ lover on notice that she’s fed up, and his best bet is to hit the road. “Get gone baby, just like you do, and don’t let that swingin’ door hit you,” she croons. Her take-no-prisoners attitude is bolstered by a layered chorus of female voices backing her up with their “Get out!” chants. While the track unquestionably suits Nash to a “T,” musically, one could also imagine Shania Twain (“Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under”) or Carrie Underwood (“Undo It,” “Cowboy Casanova”) issuing a like-minded warning.
The “Beautiful” ballad is another standout on the CD, and one that falls in a more traditional-country vein. Lyrically, Nash tackles the heartbreak of the man she loves cheating on her with “the youngest thing you could find in town.” Sings a broken-but -forgiving Nash: “I don’t cheat; I don’t lie. I forgave you when you stayed out all night. I’m a woman in love with a man. … Yeah, I’m a mother, a lover and a fool. Yes, she’s pretty, but I’m beautiful.”
Madonna Nash Scores Promising Debut Album
Winner of the 2010 Female Country Artist of the Year at the Carolina Music Awards, the Wilmington, N.C., native has a mix of traditional and more pop-country influences, from Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn, to Faith Hill, Deanna Carter and Jewel, among others. The latter two, in fact, peek through on songs such as “Firefly,” which celebrates a “sweet, sweet, sweet, sweet love” gone right.
Nash, who’s been writing songs since her teen years, grew up in a musical family, compliments of her guitar-playing dad and music-major mom. And on her album debut, she makes a strong showing—especially on the songwriting front—that’s laced with new-to-the-scene sparkle not seen since triple-threat Laura Bell Bundy, whose Achin’ and Shakin’ CD stormed to the front of the pack in 2010.
“Things are finally starting to fall into place for me,” Nash declared in her artist bio. “I know this is the right time, and I am right where I need to be.”
The Madonna Nash CD is currently available for purchase via iTunes and Amazon.com. To sample her music, please access the artist's official website by clicking here.
Lisa L. Rollins - Texas native Lisa L. Rollins, Ph.D., is an award-winning feature writer, interviewer and journalism educator.
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