Haven Madison
As she celebrates the release of her label-debut EP, Turn Off All The Lights, Haven Madison reflects on a pivotal conversation she had with her dad, Grammy nominated Jason Roy - lead singer of Building 429 - when she was just 12. At a Chik-Fil-A in her hometown of Clarksville, TN, she told him she wanted to follow in his footsteps and pursue a musical career. Jason asked, "On a scale from one to 10, how bad do you want it?" When she replied "Eight," he said, "Talk to me again when it's 11."
Just four years later, Haven's passion for singing and dedication to hard work resulted in an extraordinary run into the Top 8 of American Idol Season 21, beginning with an audition featuring her heartfelt original song, "Fifteen," that blew away judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and her longtime idol, Katy Perry. One of the great highlights of Haven's time on the show was her season finale viral duet with Perry on "Still Need You," the poignant ballad Haven wrote about her brother Avery's battle against depression and suicide.
"Sitting across from Katy and singing with her was surreal, because growing up, my brother and I were obsessed with her and even made our own video for 'Roar'," the 18-year-old Haven says. "I got such amazing feedback on that song, including from some who said it kept them alive. It's wonderful to have the opportunity to create music that makes people feel less alone. I'm happy to say that Avery is doing very well. He's ridiculously talented and he's now my drummer."