Singer-songwriter Madison McCreary Stuart is back in her hometown of Owensboro to celebrate the release of her new album, “Tide + Tide,” by performing it live for the first time ever this Wednesday.
The concert begins at 7 p.m. at the Theatre Workshop of Owensboro’s Trinity Center, located at 407 West 5th Street. Stuart, who the Owensboro Times previewed earlier this year, is ecstatic to host the event at TWO, where she has several memories.
Stuart attended Owensboro High School and was very active with the Kentucky Youth Chorale, where she met two close friends – Emily Wills and Hadley Rouse, both from Owensboro. They played a pivotal role on the album, along with Emily’s brother Matthew and business partner Claron Hayden, who orchestrated the recording and production.
“It’s really special that everyone involved in making the album can convene in Owensboro, especially at a place that meant a lot to us growing up,” Stuart said. “Matthew has directed several TWO shows, while Emily and I acted in several and were part of many TWO children’s events.”
Stuart is flying in from Hawai’i, where she teaches English, while Wills is flying in from New Zealand. Matthew is making the trek from NYC, and Rouse is growing roots in Owensboro as the Owensboro Middle School choir director.
The group looks forward to hosting several of their mentors throughout the years, including Julie White, Randy Lanham, Todd Reynolds, Carolyn Greer, along with several more friends and family members.
“This is a release party by name, but really, it’s a gratitude party,” Stuart said. “Home has been, and always will be, a major theme in my songwriting. I actually think my songwriting has helped me deepen my roots in Kentucky, even while living thousands of miles and an ocean away.”
“Time + Tide” blends Stuart’s and the group’s roots in Owensboro and bluegrass with ukelele chords from Hawai’i. The songs move through the passing of a year, painting a picture of the different months, seasons, and holidays.
“Even though I’ve heard all the songs a million times at this point, when I listen to the mandolin and banjo instrumentation mixed in with the ukulele and the voices of my two best friends, it gives me the warmest, most grounded feeling,” she said. “I’m growing and changing all the time, but the main flow of this album — how it moves through ‘seasons’ literally and metaphorically, with the last song ending on the word ‘home’ — will always resonate with my heart.”
Stuart will head back to Hawai’i after the holidays before moving to Aotearoa, New Zealand, with Wills and pursuing a PhD in Education. She plans to record a new album soon.
“If you’re interested in attending the release concert, reach out to me on Instagram to see if there is space,” she said. “Also, if you’re looking for a stocking stuffer that supports local artists, I have CDs for sale, including a beautiful lyric booklet complete with photos of Hawai’i and Kentucky.”
