Sister Sadie’s Maddie Dalton
Dives Into No Fear
You might think it would send shivers down the spine of a teenaged Maddie Dalton joining one of bluegrass music’s hottest acts, Sister Sadie, and that’s exactly what it did. On top of auditioning for the 3-time IBMA “Vocal Group of the Year” and making her Grand Ole Opry debut on the same night, the band’s bassist had an exciting, fast-paced introduction to recording with Sister Sadie, a mere two weeks after becoming part of the team. Ironically, perhaps to Dalton, the new album is titled, No Fear.
“To be completely honest, I was terrified when they turned on the microphone in the studio,” Maddie Dalton tells Bluegrass Unlimited. “Recording bass in a professional studio setting was a completely new experience for me, and it felt extremely nerve-wracking. However, everyone I was working with was incredibly kind and understanding, which made the process much smoother. In hindsight, I realize I probably shouldn’t have been as scared as I was. It was a learning experience, and the supportive environment made it more manageable than I initially thought.” The group’s first album since 2018 features the singles, “Cannonball,” “Well,” “Diane” and the radio chart-topper “Willow.”
“I played on 8 tracks out of the 13 on the record,” Dalton said. “In the two weeks between my tryout for the band and entering the studio with Sister Sadie, I tried to preplan and learn as much as I could in that time. What I didn’t expect was that, for some of the songs, it felt like we were all just jamming in the studio, which made the experience much more enjoyable and relaxing.” Maddie’s lead vocals are also featured on “Mississippi River Long,” that was co-written by SS guitarist/vocalist Dani Flowers.
“For ‘Mississippi River,’ the day before we entered the studio, Deanie and Dani presented the song to me. I instantly fell in love with it, although I didn’t realize at the time they were pitching it for me to sing on the record. On the day of recording, I learned the lyrics and crossed my fingers, hoping I could do the song justice. Battling limited studio experience and my nervousness about singing, I couldn’t be happier with the final result. Dani wrote the song at 19, and the recording, coincidentally, took place when I was also 19, creating a full-circle moment for the track. Dani is one of my all-time favorite songwriters, and being entrusted with this song on the album was such an honor.”
Growing Up Bluegrass
Born and raised in Missouri, Maddie got an early start in music at age 5 learning to play the classical violin before transitioning exclusively to the fiddle and bluegrass music around age 7 or 8. “My parents might share that my personality didn’t necessarily match the typical attention span needed for classical violin–hence the switch!” Dalton says. “I needed something more energizing. The transition to fiddling and bluegrass allowed me to channel my energy and passion in a way that felt more aligned with my personality and musical preferences.
“While the classical training laid the groundwork, it was the shift to fiddle playing that truly made me excited about music,” Dalton recalls. “This pivot allowed me to delve into the world of fiddle contests and jump head-first into bluegrass music and there was truly no turning back after that.”
Even in her younger years, Dalton could pick upon the complete 180-degree change of environment. “Unlike the more formal atmosphere of violin recitals, the participants and audience members at fiddle contests seemed to enjoy themselves much more. It was this lively and enjoyable environment that drew me to bluegrass. There was such a difference in the overall enjoyment, that made the switch so easy for me–and honestly, addicting.”
Dalton played fiddle with her family’s bluegrass band mainly on the weekends, but then, she discovered the bass. “When I began learning the bass, I had recently left my family band and felt a strong desire to start fresh and explore something new. I was 14 years old at the time and was attending Starvy Creek, my favorite local Missouri bluegrass festival. This is when I first saw Jeff Partin playing bass with Volume Five. I became absolutely captivated by the instrument and his style of playing. The draw I had to the bass is so hard to articulate, because in that moment I knew I wanted to try that out for myself. When I returned home, I immediately started teaching myself and something just clicked; I couldn’t get enough. I started diving into the work of other incredible bassists like Barry Bales and Dan Eubanks. I was absorbing as much as I could from every Alison Krauss and Special Consensus CD that I could get my hands on.”
Her departure from the family band allowed Dalton to savor a variety of musical avenues from bluegrass to country and even an all-girl folk trio, but her immediate move was to join the bluegrass group Po’ Anna. “Playing with them was extremely formative for me and I was able to learn so much. I remained with Po’ Anna from ages 14 to 18, and in 2022, we collectively decided to pursue separate paths. I feel incredibly fortunate to have had such talented and supportive bandmates during that chapter of my life.”
That same year Dalton realized her true calling was to make music not only a passionate hobby but her living and life. “During that year, I took on a gig playing music at an amusement park as a sort of day job. I found myself there practically every single day, immersed in the joy of making music. Although I had been playing music throughout my life, there was a newfound confidence that compelled me to pursue my dreams in music as a full-time musician.”
Joining Sister Sadie
In January of 2023, the members of Sister Sadie discovered a video on Dalton’s Instagram page of her playing bass with an Alison Krauss track, “The Road Is A Lover.” “Little did I know that this cover would catch their attention when the band was in search of a bass player. The video circulated among them, and it was my friend, Jim VanCleve, who initially recommended me for the role.”
The 19-year-old’s audition was a live performance with the band on the stage of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry. “Auditioning at the Opry was an incredibly nerve-wracking experience,” Dalton admits. “The weight of performing on a stage that has been shared by so many of the most iconic musicians we have was overwhelming to say the least. The Grand Ole Opry holds a special place in the heart of the country music world, and the realization of standing on that historic stage for the first time was both shocking and awe-inspiring.”
She was caught completely off guard when the band invited her to join them in March of 2023. “It happened right in the middle of our show at the iconic Station Inn. I had auditioned for the band during a weekend run that included the Grand Ole Opry, Industrial Strength Bluegrass Festival and the Station Inn. The audition process itself was a whirlwind as I had about 5 days to learn all of the material.”
“Maddie fits in like a glove,” Sister Sadie fiddler Deanie Richardson says. “Her talents are above and beyond. Not only is she a great bass player but I love her singing so much. She’s a powerhouse. Maddie is such a team player as well. She loves us, we love her, she works hard to help move this band in a direction that we are all very excited about. Her personality, her attitude, her encouragement to the rest of us is exactly what I think is a perfect addition to this band.”
More than a year after teaming with founding members Richardson (fiddle) and Gena Britt (banjo/vocals), and later members Jaelee Roberts (guitar/vocals) and Dani Flowers (guitar/vocals), Dalton believes she’s truly found her place as a musician. “Every time I step out on stage, I am still in disbelief that I have such incredible bandmates,” Maddie adds. “They are not only exceptional musicians but also wonderful human beings. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to be a part of Sister Sadie and I truly don’t think I could get any luckier!”
“Her playing is steady” Richardson says. “She looks great on stage. Her energy is good to us up there and to the audience. At only 19 years old she’s holding us 52-year-olds together on that stage. I absolutely love her and love doing this with her.”
“There’s truly never a dull moment with the other ladies in the band,” Dalton says. “Whether it’s on stage, during rehearsals, or on the road, the camaraderie is filled with genuine friendship. These moments make the musical journey with Sister Sadie not just about the performances but also about the incredible memories we create together.”
To add to her career blessings, Dalton was presented with the 2023 IBMA Momentum award for “Instrumentalist of the Year.” “As a female bass player, it was a significant moment, shedding light on the fact that bass players, particularly females, may not always receive the recognition they deserve,” Dalton said. “Being able to bring representation for bass players through this award is something I’m truly grateful for. There were so many incredible musicians nominated, and I was shocked and honored to even be considered alongside them. When they called my name to receive the award, I was completely awe-struck.”
Maddie has plenty of passion to pursue more of her dreams in the music business. She wants to fill her plate performing with Sister Sadie, taking on fill-in gigs and spending time in the studio. “I’m currently living all of my wildest dreams! The camaraderie with my bandmates in Sister Sadie is something that I look forward to each time we step on stage. The excitement of being a bass player and contributing to the representation of bass players, particularly women, is truly meaningful to me. Looking ahead, I can’t help but feel a sense of anticipation for what the next few years will bring. The support, the experiences, and the sheer joy of making music continue to fuel my passion. I’m genuinely excited about the possibilities and growth that lie ahead.”
