There is a rare kind of stillness that only a truly confident artist can create, the kind that draws listeners in rather than trying to impress them. Maddie Lenhart embodies that restraint with remarkable grace, building her artistry on sincerity, intention, and a deep respect for the craft of songwriting. With a voice that feels both intimate and assured, Lenhart has steadily carved out a space where emotion is never forced and every note serves a purpose.
Her rendition of “Let Him Fly,” a song originally written by Patty Griffin and widely recognized through The Chicks, is a striking example of that approach. Stripped back and recorded live in a single take, the performance carries a quiet emotional weight that feels deeply personal, as though the listener has been invited into a private moment. Rather than reimagining the song with unnecessary complexity, Lenhart honors its legacy by allowing the songwriting to breathe, trusting in its simplicity while subtly shaping it through her own musical identity.
In this conversation, Lenhart reflects on her connection to the song, the discipline of restraint in performance, and the creative instincts that guide her both as a songwriter and interpreter. From her musical upbringing in Virginia to her artistic growth in Nashville, she offers thoughtful insight into a journey defined by intention, emotional clarity, and an unwavering commitment to honest storytelling.
Your rendition of “Let Him Fly” feels incredibly intimate, almost like a private moment shared with the listener. What drew you to this song specifically, and what did you want to preserve or reinterpret in your version?
I grew up a huge “The Chicks” fan—I remember listening to the “Home” record on repeat and specifically going back to replay “Let Him Fly” over and over. Of course I had no idea what the song was about then (lol), but as I got older and paid more attention to lyrics, the song became that much more meaningful to me. Once I dived into songwriting more seriously, I discovered Patty Griffin, and it was game over. She wrote the book on smart, intentional songwriting, and I wanted to pay homage to that.
The recording was done live in a single take, which adds a raw and honest quality to the performance. What was that experience like for you emotionally and creatively, and how did it shape the final outcome of the track?
I am always so excited to hear artists release live sessions. I’ve been wanting to do one of my own for quite some time. Adam Dobkin (Treehouse Studios) did a great job at cultivating a creative atmosphere to deliver a live session.
versions, and this song has already been beautifully interpreted by artists like Patty Griffin and The Chicks.
How did you approach honoring those versions while still making the song feel entirely your own?
I was deeply inspired by both versions, and didn’t try to complicate my version too much. Steel guitar is a huge aspect of my artistry, so I knew I wanted to have steel guitar + that it would add a lot of warmth to the live take. Outside of that, I wasn’t really thinking about how I could make it “my own” – I just wanted to do the song justice and let the lyric have the spotlight.
There is a noticeable sense of restraint in your performance, where nothing feels overdone and every note has space to breathe. How do you decide when to hold back versus when to lean in emotionally during a recording?
In my opinion, “Let Him Fly” is a perfect song that needed very little. There were a few vocal runs that felt natural, but I tried not to overthink or overcomplicate and definitely felt the natural inclination to let it breathe.
The arrangement is minimal and atmospheric, allowing your voice to remain the focal point. How involved were you in shaping the sonic direction, and what was your vision for how the song should feel?
I wanted the song to feel warm and reflective. I knew that I wanted a simple setup of an acoustic guitar + pedal steel to achieve that.
Your vocal delivery here feels both soft and confident at the same time. How do you connect to a song on that level, where the performance feels so natural and unforced?
Like I mentioned earlier, I really tried not to overthink or overcomplicate. Some songs are so well written that you just naturally can feel your way through delivering them, and I believe “Let Him Fly” is definitely one of those songs.
You have written hundreds of songs and built a strong foundation as a songwriter. How does performing a cover differ from performing your own material, especially when it comes to emotional connection?
I am an incredibly emotional person, and music moves me in such a huge way that I can find myself in other people’s songs very easily. I also still regularly play cover gigs as one of my side hustles that fund this dream. Although playing my original music is definitely where my heart is, I’ll always love to sing songs I didn’t write, too.
Growing up in Virginia’s countryside and later moving to Nashville, how have those two environments influenced your sound and storytelling as an artist?
Country music was definitely all over Virginia. But I grew up in a musically diverse household, and I think that influenced me more than anything. Growing up, my dad was a musician who played gigs around town with originals and classic rock/country covers. My mom loved 60s and 70s pop + R&B, my sister loved 90s pop, and my brother was into punk rock. So I think I was influenced in part by all of it. And although I have been singing and “writing songs” since I was a kid, moving to Nashville and diving into the songwriting community changed everything for me. The songwriting that happens here is like nowhere else.
With milestones like editorial playlist placements, major festival performances, and recognition from platforms like Billboard, how have you managed to stay grounded and focused on your identity as a songwriter?
I think a huge part of staying grounded is knowing that an artist is nothing without a great song. I really obsess over the songs I write and try to be intentional with every word. Being a songwriter is one of my most cherished pieces of my identity, and I don’t take it lightly that I get to do this. Also, I am so proud and so grateful for all I’ve accomplished so far, but I understand I am still at the beginning of my career and have a lot more work to do and goals to accomplish.
As you continue carving out your place in country music, what kind of stories or sounds are you most excited to explore next, and how do you see your artistry evolving in the coming years?
I am currently working on new music and so beyond excited to share it. I am working with the same team of incredible musicians and my amazing producer Brad Hill. For me, deciding which songs to release is one of the hardest parts of being an artist, but I am so proud and excited about the songs we’ve landed on for this project. Sonically, you can expect lots of warmth, steel guitar, and dreamy background vocals. Lyrically, you can expect some of my most honest and from-the-heart songs.
ARTIST BIOGRAPHY:
Maddie Lenhart was born and raised in the heart of Virginia’s countryside, where she was singing before she could talk and writing songs before she could hold a pen. Her love for music only deepened with age, performing at every talent show she could find around her small town. After graduating college in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Maddie followed her heart to Nashville and began working in the music industry.
As Holler puts it, “Anyone with a soft spot for Kacey Musgraves’ Deeper Well will find a lot to fall in love with in the soul-soothing, deeply personal songwriting of Maddie Lenhart. Heartfelt, dreamy, and vulnerable, these are the kind of warm and comforting country songs that you’ll want to turn to like a best friend when the world gets too much for you.”
The Covid-19 pandemic became a turning point, pushing her to fully commit to writing and creating music. She immersed herself in Nashville’s songwriting community, sharing her story one song at a time on stages across the city.
Since releasing her debut single in September 2023, Maddie’s career has taken off. Her breakout track “Sober” has racked up nearly 400,000 organic streams, earning her praise for her raw lyricism and magnetic voice. She’s since headlined with her band at The Basement, played fan-favorite sets at The East Room and Bowery Vault, and sold out rounds at both the Listening Room Café and the iconic Bluebird Café. Most recently, Maddie returned home for a sold-out show at The Barns at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia.
In 2025, Maddie was named an Artist You Need to Know by Holler, performed on the Spotlight Stage at CMA Fest, and took the stage at The Kennedy Center in June. She has also been praised by the Academy of Country Music, Spotify, Apple Music, and more. Her single “Drive Me Crazy” was highlighted by Billboard as a Top 5 new country song.
