Faith fuels Music, Calling for Maddux

Tyler Maddux, left, Jensen Thompson and Nasir Cousin stop for a photo before taking the stage at Sonfest 2024.

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Tyler Maddux has always felt the pull of music deep within him. It has been his passion for as long as he can remember, shaped by his unique family background.

Now, as a worship arts major at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, he’s making his mark with songs that speak to the heart — songs as he says are “about someone, for everyone.”

Growing up, Maddux’s dad, Mark, was a worship pastor, with his mom, Janice, playing alongside him in church services. When his dad transitioned into another pastoral role, his mom took over as the worship pastor, and Maddux continued to be surrounded by music at every turn.

“I’ve grown up with worship pastors,” Maddux says. “Music has always been a very big part of my family life and what we do.”

He started learning the piano at a young age, then picked up a guitar in high school and began playing in various youth and adult praise teams. In those early years, Maddux realized he loved not just playing music but also creating it. It was when he started writing his own songs that Maddux found his true passion.

“I started writing some of my own stuff, and I would play my original songs at little coffee shops whenever I got the chance,” he recalled. “I never thought I’d do anything serious with it.”

Even though he always thought it was just for fun, those small performances were the first steps toward something bigger.

“At the end of the day,
it’s about sharing that love, whether
it’s with ten people or ten thousand.”

— Tyler MAddux

In the summer of 2023, Maddux took a leap of faith and recorded his debut album, Is Anyone Listening. The album was the spark that ignited a new chapter in his life.

With his band, Maddux hit the road, playing everything from on-campus events at MVNU to coffee shops in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and all points in between, and music festivals like Boonearoo at Trevecca Nazarene University. They even had the opportunity to play the historic Woodward Opera House in April 2024.

“We quickly found out how fast time goes by at Boonearoo. We learned we have to be flexible with our sets,” he explained about their performances, “learning to push and pull. We’ve also learned to just enjoy every moment, even when things don’t go as planned.”

This past fall, Maddux and his band, “Tyler Maddux and Co.,” had their biggest opportunity to date, playing SonFest on Sept. 21 at MVNU. Sharing the stage with the likes of Hulvey, Josiah Queen, Cochran & Co., and Rachel Lampa among others, was a dream come true.

“This is huge. I’m a massive, massive fan of Josiah Queen specifically,” Maddux said of the SonFest invitation. “To get to share the stage right before he goes on is insane to me. … It is just super, super crazy.

“When (band member) Jadon (Bird) called me to tell me that we were playing, I didn’t believe him. I thought he was messing with me. I called MVNU President Dr. Carson Castleman to make sure he wasn’t pulling my leg. And he said, ‘No, I’m being completely serious.’ I genuinely had a hard time believing it at first because, while we’ve played some fun shows and some big stuff, there’s nothing like this. (SonFest) always felt so separate, and it’s felt like something that I just get to watch. To have someone say, ‘You don’t just get to play, you get to play on the big stage with these other big names,’ is just insane to us.”

Tyler Maddux and Co. is a close-knit group of friends who share his love for music. The core members include his drummer, Bird, and bassist, Jensen Thompson, both of whom have been with him since the beginning.

“We were playing around and started just jamming. We were having so much fun, so we decided to record an album,” Maddux recalled of their beginnings.

The group has since expanded to include others, like Nasir Cousin, who sings and plays bass, and Maddux’s younger sister, Grace, who is now a primary vocalist. Another friend, Ethan Byram, also played bass for a couple shows at MVNU.

Having his sister in the band adds a special dynamic that Maddux cherishes.

“It’s actually really fun,” Maddux said with a smile. “We’ve been singing together for most of our lives. I like being around her. Sometimes she annoys me, but I just tell her that. She’s one of the best vocalists I know. I wouldn’t want anyone else to sing with me.”

Inspired by the energy of these live shows, Maddux returned to the studio to record his EP, Are You Still There, which was released in April 2024. This new project showcased his calling and commitment to creating honest and heartfelt music.

“I definitely feel a calling to worship ministry,” said Maddux. “I don’t know if I would qualify (the band) as being a calling, but more like an opportunity. I think no matter what, even if I did find myself in a position where I was getting to play my personal music on stages, I would just choose to try and exemplify Christ in that, even if not all the music is about Jesus.”

Days are a balancing act of classes, rehearsals, performances, and leadership roles on campus. This school year, Maddux is touring with MVNU’s Music and Ministry team and helping lead the campus chapel worship band, blending his passion for music with his calling to worship.

Along with his music, he is deeply involved in the Student Government Association. He thrives in this busy environment, saying, “I like being involved. It keeps me grounded and connected to the people around me. Working with SGA and the events are something I would be doing anyway. Now I get to play a role and do fun things with this team. They are good friends. Music and Ministry is, again, a group of friends. Same with the chapel team. I get to lead my peers in worship, which is exactly what I want to do. … I have to keep my ducks in a row, but I love it.”

For Maddux, every experience is preparation for whatever comes next.

“Even my work with SGA, which might not seem related to pastoral work, is helping me grow. It teaches me to listen, engage, and be a leader,” he explains. “I’m learning how to be responsible and maintain a high standard. It keeps me in check.”

Through it all, Maddux’s faith remains at the center. He believes that his opportunities are not just luck but part of a larger plan.

“I don’t think we could have gotten these opportunities without some divine intervention,” he reflects. “We’ve been in situations and had the chance to make an impact, even in places where people aren’t used to seeing Christians. … I think God’s honored that.”

As Maddux looks forward to the next steps, including some exciting performances and new projects, he remains grounded in his passion for music and his faith.

“I hope people feel the love I have for music when they hear my songs,” he says. “At the end of the day, it’s about sharing that love, whether it’s with ten people or ten thousand.”

From coffee shops to larger festivals, Maddux has embraced every opportunity that has come his way, always staying open to whatever the future holds.

“I’m open to anything. We’re working hard with it,” Maddux admitted. “It’s kind of nice. We don’t have a lot of anxiety about it because it’s not like, if this doesn’t pan out, we’re never going to have anything else. We haven’t put all our eggs into one basket. I mean, if it were to go somewhere and we would get to play all kinds of crazy things, and it could be like a thing I could do, I would do it for a while. I’d love to, but if it doesn’t and it’s just a fun thing I get to do in college, then it’s just a fun thing I get to do in college. And that’s okay with me, too. I’ll keep writing music and I’ll keep releasing it, even if not everyone wants to listen to it.”