Music makes memories for Madden

Editor’s Note: Franklin’s Future is a regular feature spotlighting a high school senior in Franklin County and what they have planned for life after graduation.

Russellville High School senior Kody Madden made a decision his freshman year that would change the way he would experience high school for the next three years.
The 17-year-old singer, who was a member of both the RHS football and basketball teams at the time, decided to give up sports in favor of focusing on music – something that had become a very large part of his life.
He said the decision was something that was difficult at the time, especially since his father, Jeff Madden, was a coach and former sports stand out and his mother, Crista Madden, had played sports when she was in school.
“I knew they really loved that I was playing sports like they used to, but they understood that I loved music more than I loved playing football or basketball,” he said. “They’ve been very supportive of that decision and continue to be supportive of all I do musically.”
So the decision was made to pursue music, and Madden said he hasn’t looked back.
“Most of my favorite memories are from the time I’ve spent in Show Choir,” he said.
“During our fall show last year, one of the other guys was doing a move on the risers during the last song and nearly fell completely off of it and we all were trying so hard just to get through the song and not start laughing.
“Whether it’s a funny memory like that or just the day-to-day memories we’ve made at practices or on trips or just performing our other shows, Show Choir has been a big part of my high school experience and something I’ll always be glad I was a part of.”
In addition to being part of the RHS Show Choir, Madden has been involved with Christian Students United, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Student Council and National Honor Society.
He has also been named to the All State Choir for the past six years, the All State Show Choir for the past three years, the UNA Honor Choir for eight years and the UNA Chamber Choir for the past two years.
“My experiences at the All State Choral Festival are actually what made me deicide on the career path I wanted to have,” he said.
“Just talking with some of the clinicians helped me see how much I would love to have a career in music education teaching high school students and sharing that love of music with them.”
Madden said he hasn’t narrowed down which college he will be attending next fall, but he said wherever he ended, he plans for music education to be his major and music ministry to be his minor.
“If teaching jobs are scarce and the music education aspect of my degree doesn’t work out, I would love to do music ministry at a church,” he said.
“I’ve been very involved with music at my church, Red Bay Freewill Baptist, where I lead the youth band and help with the music on Wednesday nights.
“Gospel music has been a big part of my life growing up, especially since my grandfather, Billy Madden, was in two different gospel groups.
“Being a music minister is something I know I would enjoy just as much as being a music teacher.”
Even though he is very certain about his chosen career path, Madden said he was a little nervous about the next few years before he would get to that point.
“I like to know what to expect and what’s going on in a situation and a lot of things about college are just unknown until you get in there and experience them,” he said. “That part about college makes me a little nervous, but at the same time, I’m looking forward to meeting new people and people who have the same interests that I have.”
Once he finishes up his schooling, Madden said he would like to settle down close to Franklin County, but he was open to other options as well.
“Ideally, I’d like to be close to home, but wherever I can find a job is where I’ll go,” he said. “You can’t be too picky in the education field. You just have to go where you can find work.”
Even though he is excited about his future, Madden said there were many thing about high school that he would miss once he graduates this May.
“I’ll miss my friends and the students in Show Choir and I’ll also miss the teachers,” he said. “Some of them have really helped me over the years and impacted me in a positive way, and I appreciate all the help they’ve given me.”
Madden is the son of Jeff and Crista Madden and the grandson of Rayburn and Brenda Massey and Linda and the late Billy Madden. He has one younger sister, Darby.