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\n\tYoung country artist Maddox Batson is running away and joining the circus. Or at least his music is.<\/p>\n
\n\tStarting Jan. 2, a special video mix of the 15-year old\u2019s music will soundtrack a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey gravity-defying unicycle act. It marks the first time in the circus\u2019 150-year history that it has integrated a music artist into a segment with a custom remix, song debut and video.<\/p>\n
\n\t\u201cBecause music powers every moment, we set out to find an artist who truly connects with Gen Alpha and brings a fresh energy to the experience. That led us to Maddox,\u201d Juliette Feld Grossman, CEO of Feld Entertainment and circus producer, tells Billboard<\/em>. \u201cMaddox was the perfect fit for this collaboration because his music reflects the experiences of today\u2019s young fans and feels instantly relatable. His playful, high-energy personality aligns with the spirit of the modern Ringling, and his catchy, sing-along tracks bring a fresh new element to\u00a0The Greatest Show on Earth. Integrating his sound into the show allows us to connect with a new generation in a way that feels authentic, fun, and uniquely Ringling.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe segment features exclusive video footage of the Warner Records artist performing new single \u201cIf I See Her Again,\u201d in a medley that features high-energy remixes of his songs \u201cGirl in Green\u201d and \u201cNo More.\u201d It\u2019s part of a reimagined Ringling experience that includes beat drops, live drumming, live DJs, dance battles and popular hits. Maddox was the youngest male artist on Billboard<\/em>\u2018s \u201c21 Under 21\u201d list<\/a> this year.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI grew up going to the circus, so this collab with Ringling is like a dream coming full-circle,\u201d Batson said in a statement. \u201cSeeing my music become part of The Greatest Show on Earth is just awesome. Getting to go behind the scenes, bounce on the trampoline, climb on the rocket that shoots a performer 110 feet in the air, and even try the unicycle \u2014 it was one of the coolest days of my life. Now I get why they call it The Greatest Show on Earth!\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tCircusgoers can go behind the scenes and watch footage of Batson and his time with Ringling during a pre-show celebration that starts one hour before showtime. The collaboration also includes a line of Ringling and Batson merchandise and digital content across Ringling\u2019s social media platforms.<\/p>\n