Game Changers (Episode 2)

Being one of the few artists to make it through to the final episode of a reality show like American Idol can be both surreal and life changing – especially for Cohoes native Madison VanDenburg, who was only sixteen years old at the time.

Exposure to millions of fans is the reward for running the gauntlet of multiple auditions, an intense casting process and the whirlwind of the competition – but that is just the first step. The next one leads to the difficult transition into the real world of the music business.

How that process is managed is a challenge for any artist coming off those shows, especially when navigating a pandemic.

Fortunately, Madison VanDenburg used that time to find her direction and her new momentum began with the release of her new single, “Game Changer”, accompanied by a three-part, behind-the-scenes view of her journey in her new TV show “Game Changers”.

Madison VanDenburg caught the attention of music industry veteran producer and multi-platinum songwriter Kenny Lamb, a Warner/Chappell New York and Nashville alumni who has helped launch the careers of Grammy and Dove winning artists.

After a few creative meetings, Madison traveled to Nashville, Tennessee to record with Lamb (‘N Sync, Building 429) and Christopher Rowe (Taylor Swift, Jewel) in September 2021 at the world-renowned Blackbird Studio.

“When I heard the writer’s room work tape of ‘Game Changer,'” Lamb said, “I heard something in it that I thought really reflected what Madison was all about. That, combined with a strong melody and hook that makes you feel like you can take on the world. It’s got some attitude and some edge – but manages to come across very empowering. This definitely represents who Madison is as an artist and it is exciting to see where things go next.”

The show Game Changers documents Madison VanDenburg’s journey and lifts the veil on the inner workings of the music industry, showing us the key elements that drive and sustain a career in music.

Starting with the foundational aspect of the music business, songs and songwriting, we see and hear new songs come to life. From there we follow Madison into the studio with some of the top record producers in the industry, with behind-the-scenes footage and interviews about the recording process.

As the show builds, viewers get a front row seat to the glam squad behind image consulting and photo shoots, featuring industry leading stylists and photography professionals.

With new, exclusive acoustic performances by Madison throughout the show, interviews with hit songwriters, producers, and additional guest artists from American Idol and The Voice, Game Changers is an insightful and entertaining view into the process that goes unseen; the real work, tools, and collaboration it takes to make it in the music world.

The initial three-episode season of “Game Changers” will culminate with a special performance at her Home Town Release Party on May 6, 2022 at Apex Entertainment in Albany, NY.

Shot on a Sony FS7, BlackMagic 6K Cinema Camera, Sony A7S III, and Sony A7 III. Graded with Phantom LUTs. Edited in Adobe Premiere.