Nashville-based singer-songwriter Maddie Riccardo has kicked off 2025 with the release of her new single, ‘Barstool.' A bittersweet country anthem packed with melancholic twang and radio-ready hooks, the track captures the frustrations of dating in a city where the whiskey flows easier than commitment.
Written by Riccardo, the lyrics paint a vivid picture of Nashville’s “small town, big city” dating scene, where Peter Pan-syndrome men abound. “It ain’t been easy here in Tennessee,” she sings. “Can’t find a good man who can love me / The whiskey’s more neat than the guys I see / Won’t marry or they already have a ring.”
“After spending a couple of months working at a bar downtown, I witnessed some unforgettable moments that sparked the inspiration for ‘Barstool,’” Riccardo shares. “It’s also a reflection of the conversations I have with friends about the challenges of dating in Nashville, where it seems like everyone's out on Broadway, always looking for the next thing.”
‘Barstool' was produced by Simon Jay, who has recently worked with Trannie Anderson (Lainey Wilson) and Ryan Michaels (Mat & Savanna Shaw), with upcoming projects alongside Ross Copperman and Tom Douglas. Drums were recorded by Chad Cromwell, whose credits include work with Neil Young, Reba, and Miranda Lambert. Vocal production was handled by John Palmieri (Tyler Braden, Cole Swindell), and the track was mastered by Nathan Dantzler (Sabrina Carpenter, Thomas Rhett, Niall Horan) with assistance from Harrison Tate (Kelsea Ballerini, Megan Moroney).
Born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Riccardo showed musical talent from an early age, often performing in her parents' living room as a toddler. “We have photos of me as a two or three-year-old with a microphone, just singing my little heart out,” she recalls. Growing up as the only girl among six siblings, she followed in her father's footsteps on guitar and developed a love for heartfelt ballads and electric guitar riffs, drawing influence from artists like Bruce Springsteen and Adele.
In high school, Riccardo balanced Theater Club, cheerleading, and songwriting, performing regularly at school talent shows. After graduation, she moved to Nashville to pursue a Music Business degree at Belmont University, combining her artistic ambitions with a practical understanding of the music industry. While in college, she recorded and released four songs, found a creative home performing at Writers' Rounds across Nashville, and had a memorable debut at the legendary Bluebird Café. Her parents, keeping a long-held promise, flew in to watch her performance.
Riccardo’s journey took a pivotal turn after a heartbreak inspired her country-leaning single ‘Drunk Phone Call,' helping her define her sound. “I was like, ‘Oh, maybe I should really go down this lane,'” she says.
At her core, Maddie Riccardo is an artist who channels her emotions into music. “I am just a regular girl who writes music, and that's about it,” she says. “I am super emotional, I take my hurt, and I turn it into songs.” With ‘Barstool' Riccardo confidently steps into the new year, showcasing her sharp songwriting and honest take on modern love.
