Originally Published on November 12th, 2026

There is no shortage of country music in Nashville, Tennessee. As a person who has lived here since 1993, I’ve seen it be the beating heart of this music city. It’s not the only genre represented here, but it is the main staple of it. With so many artists aspiring to leave their mark, sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming. For years, the industry has showcased artists approach country music from one angle or another in an effort to stand out or cater to a more mainstream artist. Roots music leaned more heavily into pop music, rock, even hip hop.

Then, in the late 2000’s, the other side of the market started meeting country music halfway. With genres like Americana gaining popularity, as well as folk music re-emerging and blending with pop, alternative rock, and other genres, roots has become a sound that people across the entire country have started looking for.

With so many experimental styles, so many expansions, and so many branches, maybe the best way to draw attention for country artists is to lean more heavily back into the traditional sounds of the genre.

This morning, I heard the song Stop Signs from Franklin/Nashville singer/songwriter, Madi Hendry. As an artist, she focuses her sound around a blend of country and pop. She isn’t afraid to be vulnerable with her songwriting. Her approach is an intriguing one. Instead of searching for ways to connect beyond the influence of Nashville, she is turning her focus directly to the heart of the city.

Stop Signs is the second single released by Madi Hendry in 2026. Releasing on November 6th, it runs at just over 3 minutes. It was written, recorded, and independently released by Madi Hendry.

I really like Stop Signs. The songwriting is nostalgic, the composition is upbeat and has a powerful resolve in the chorus. Her voice is very powerful and great for the genre. The start of the song has a banjo that plays as the most prominent instrument before the band takes over as the song progresses. It is deeply organic.

The production is where there the song starts to blend into a pop style, which brings the appeal of the song out even more. The layered vocals and guitars. The percussion is right in the pocket and plays more of a pop rock beat to the song as it transitions into the bigger band performance. Hendry’s voice is also one that sounds country but also sounds like it could work in other genres with very little effort. There are fun little flares of ornamentation in the production as well, like the auto tuning on the phrase “dashboard lights,” in the first verse.

Overall, I think Stop Signs is a very strong song. Listening to her other release in 2026, Crying Over Boys, she has two very strong releases at the end of the year. With live performances and the promise of new music on the way, Madi Hendry may be looking to turn a corner in 2027. For an expanding audience showing they are looking for one of many different ways to explore roots music, Hendry’s sound may be the perfect formula to dip their toes in that water.

Go press play!