Made 2 Rise

Madison Rising was the creation of New York City entrepreneur Richard Mgrdechian, who chose the members of the band by placing ads on Craigslist and YouTube, and then holding "endless" auditions in 2011.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} Dave Bray, the original lead singer for the band, enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 18. Before being shipped off, Dave found an interest in music, and formed a band in his garage his senior year of high school. According to Bray, "It was my last-ditch effort at rebellion before signing my life away." The band was first named after Madison Street in Hoboken, New Jersey, where their studio, Water Music Recorders, was located. Later on, the band also acknowledged its name as being in honor of U.S. Founding Father James Madison, because they wanted to "bring back patriotism and the belief system from a time when the Constitution was being written".{{Cite web|url = http://clashdaily.com/2015/03/rocking-for-patriotism-interview-with-dave-bray-of-madison-rising/|title = ROCKING FOR PATRIOTISM: Interview with Dave Bray of Madison Rising|date = March 20, 2015|accessdate = March 28, 2015|website = Clash Daily|publisher = |last = |first = }} While other names such as "Authors of Liberty" and "Soldiers for Freedom" were considered, Madison Rising felt the most "rock and roll" of them all, evoking imagery of him "rising from the grave".

Madison Rising, the band's self-titled debut album, was released in October 2011 via CD Baby. In early December 2011, the band attempted to procure a permit for a live "Take Back Wall Street" performance in Manhattan’s Zuccotti Park, in response to the Occupy Wall Street protests. The permit was ultimately denied by the park's ownership, Brookfield Properties. Two months later, the band played a short show for Occupy Congress in January 2012. Lead singer Dave Bray said that, to his shock, they were "met with a warm welcome" during the band's five-song set before several hundred Occupy demonstrators.{{cite web |title=Right-Wing Band 'Madison Rising' Plays For Occupy Congress |author=Arin Greenwood |url= http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/20/madison-rising-plays-occupy-congress_n_1218831.html|work=The Huffington Post|date= January 20, 2012}} Their second album, American Hero, was released via CD Baby in November 2013 and is dedicated to military members, police, firefighters, and other first responders.

In March 2014, the band announced they had been chosen to provide the theme song for Amazing America, a Sarah Palin-hosted program on the US cable network Sportsman Channel. In keeping with the show's subject matter, the theme song's lyrics contain references to nature, flags, glory, dogs, horses, trucks, and guns.{{cite web |title=Sportsman Channel and Madison Rising Team to Create Original Theme Song for "Amazing America with Sarah Palin"|url=http://www.thesportsmanchannel.com/press/sportsman-channel-madison-rising-team-create-original-theme-song-amazing-america-sarah-palin/|work=Sportsman Channel |date= March 26, 2014}}

In early April 2014, former band member Alex Bodnar initiated a civil lawsuit in Brooklyn against band manager Richard Mgrdechian for owed "wages, royalties and [production] credit".{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} The band performed a "Patriot Party" concert in Anderson, South Carolina on April 5, 2014, for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. They played another "Patriot Party" on April 18 in Bunkerville, Nevada, for supporters of controversial rancher Cliven Bundy.

Bray noted that bands such as Creed and Nickelback "were the soundtrack of our generation for a while", and that he was not ashamed by the comparisons. The band describes themselves as being "constitutional" and "pro-patriotic", and have even referred to themselves as being "America's most patriotic rock band" in promotion. The band has also paid tribute to the United States Armed Forces in its albums, going as far as recording a music video for its arrangement of the "Marines' Hymn" for the 239th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.

Madison Rising's original songs incorporated political themes, with a particular emphasis on conservatism; "Come to the Ready" contains lyrics critical of Barack Obama, alluding to the "re-election of an antichrist" and describing him as a "liar". Mgrdechian explained that the "antichrist" lyric was meant to "highlight our belief that he doesn't have our country’s best interests in mind and is in fact doing a lot to hurt us in the long run, in particular turning Americans against one another, which is the last thing we need right now", rather than from a religious standpoint.

Jonathan Widran of Allmusic described their "socially conscious aesthetic" as being "reminiscent of the pointed folk music of the '60s—even though they are presumably on the other side of the political fence".{{cite web|title=Madison Rising review|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/madison-rising-mw0002362635|website=AllMusic|publisher=All Media Network|accessdate=3 March 2015}}

Madison Rising received prominent attention for their arrangement of the U.S. national anthem; considering it a contrast to Jimi Hendrix's rendition, lead singer Dave Bray explained that he "took the words and formatted them so that they feel more like a modern day rock song" and "took liberties with the melodies to make it a little more singable."

The band has performed the anthem at various sporting events, including the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas, Nevada,{{cite web |title=Get ready for the 2013 PBR World Finals |author=Denise M. Abbott|url= http://www.pbr.com/en/news/press-releases/2013/10/get-ready-for-the-2013-pbr-world-finals.aspx|work=Professional Bull Riders |date= October 18, 2013}} the opening ceremonies for the 2014 Special Olympics USA in Newark, New Jersey,{{cite web |title=Special Olympics USA Games Opening Ceremony (Madison Rising)|url= http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/AWtkUPodBic/Special+Olympics+USA+Games+Opening+Ceremony/mUs9P83R8Kk/Madison+Rising|work= Zimbio |date=June 14, 2014}} the Military Bowl, and was also included on the soundtrack for Dinesh D'Souza's 2014 documentary film America: Imagine the World Without Her.

The band's performance of the anthem at the DRIVE4COPD 300, the opening event of the 2014 NASCAR Nationwide Series season at Daytona International Speedway in February 2014, was poorly received by critics and those in attendance, attracting significant media attention.{{cite web |title=The national anthem at Daytona was awful|author= Jordan Bianchi|url= https://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014/2/22/5436926/2014-daytona-500-madison-rising-national-anthem-nascar-nationwide-series|work=SB Nation |date=February 22, 2014}}{{cite web |title=National anthem performance at Daytona Nationwide race was horrible (VIDEO)|author=Troy Machir|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/nascar/story/2014-02-22/daytona-500-national-anthem-madison-rising-nationwide-series-drive4copd-300-race-band-terrible-horrible|work= Sporting News |date= February 22, 2014}} The Huffington Post characterized it as being "cringeworthy", and a writer for USA Today{{'}}s sports blog For The Win described it as being "spectacularly awful". The performance also received poor reception from those involved in the race itself; driver Brad Keselowski remarked that he wanted the band to "just sing the damn song". Track president Joie Chitwood III defended his decision to bring in Madison Rising based on past performances but noted that "[...] our fans are very opinionated and they make sure that they comment, and that's their right."{{Cite news|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-rock-national-anthem-raises-eyebrows-at-daytona-2014feb22-story.html|title=Rock national anthem raises eyebrows at Daytona|agency=Associated Press|access-date=2018-09-27|language=en-US}}

On August 8, 2013, the band played a free concert, opening for Lynyrd Skynyrd and Brantley Gilbert at the 2013 Sturgis Rally.{{cite web |website=Buffalochip.com |url=http://www.buffalochip.com/BANDS/2013-Bands/Madison-Rising |title=Madison Rising Makes Spectacular Debut at 2013 Sturgis Rally |accessdate=August 8, 2015}}

On April 14, 2015, the Young Marines, a national youth organization, announced a partnership with Madison Rising, kicking off as the band began their Concerned Veterans for America-sponsored "Defend Freedom" Tour.{{cite web |publisher=The Young Marines |title=The Young Marines forms partnership with Madison Rising, America's most patriotic rock band |url=https://www.youngmarines.com/inthenews/60 |date=April 14, 2015 |accessdate=August 8, 2015}}

On November 11, 2015, Madison Rising performed as part of the inaugural Vets Rock concert and expo at Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut. Vets Rock is hosted by Til Duty is Done, a Veteran Support foundation focused on assisting veterans with job training, housing and basic life support needs.{{cite web |publisher=WTNH |title=A Tribute Like No Other: Vets Rock |url=http://wtnh.com/2015/11/12/a-tribute-like-no-other-vets-rock/}}

On December 8, 2015, Madison Rising performed for an event as part of Wreaths Across America, an organization known for supporting American veterans and fallen warriors, at Saint Bernard School in Connecticut.{{cite web |publisher=The Day |title= Wreaths destined for Arlington National Cemetery stop in Montville |url=http://www.theday.com/local/20151208/wreaths-destined-for-arlington-national-cemetery-stop-in-montville}}

In February 2016, Dave Bray was fired as lead singer. A lawsuit filed by the band's management company Purple Eagle Entertainment in November 2016 alleged that Bray "began exhibiting extremely aggressive and violent behavior behind the scenes, including binge drinking, becoming significantly more confrontational with other band members, and with Mgrdechian in particular", including physically assaulting Mgrdechian after Bray became angry that Madison Rising was not invited to perform at the Super Bowl. The lawsuit also accused Bray of exploiting Madison Rising's patriotic image to steal scheduled band performances for himself.{{cite web |publisher=Courthouse News |title=Infighting Sends 'Patriotic' Rock Band To Court |url=http://www.courthousenews.com/infighting-sends-patriotic-rock-band-to-court/ |date=December 2, 2016 |accessdate=June 12, 2023}}

Retired Air Force Master Sergeant Rio Hiett was named Madison Rising's new lead singer in 2018.{{cite web |title="Meet The Band" |url=http://www.made2risemusic.com/meet-the-band |accessdate=June 12, 2023}}

Following Richard Mgrdechian's death in 2020, Madison Rising announced in a Facebook post that they would be changing their name to Made 2 Rise. Hiett described the change as "like cooking a hamburger but just a little bit differently ... still the same meaning behind the music, but the way that it's presented is a little different." Made 2 Rise released the EP EP.I.DEMIC in 2021, followed by the full-length album Anomaly in 2022.

In October 2023, Made 2 Rise announced on social media that guitarist Tracy Weller had taken an "indefinite hiatus from the band due to personal reasons".

• Rio Hiett - lead vocals (2018–present)
• Ted Hile - drums (2019–present)
• Adam Lefevre - bass

• Dave Bray - lead vocals (2011-2016)
• Alex Bodnar - guitar/bass
• Chris Schreiner - guitar
• Sam Fishman - drums
• Tom DiPietro - bass
• AJ Larsen - guitar
• Rob Turulli - guitar/bass
• Tracy Weller - guitar

• Madison Rising (October 2011)
• American Hero (November 2013)
• Battered Not Broken (February 2017)
• Battered Not Broken, Remastered and Reloaded (September 2018)
• Boots and Roots (July 2020) "Country EP"

• "Walking Through That Door"
• "Mirror Don't Lie"
• "Men of Steel"
• "Rebel Yell"
• "War"
• "Where Are You Now"
• "Heaven's Seas"
• "Dangerous"
• "The Star-Spangled Banner"
• "God Bless America"
• "America the Beautiful"

• EP.I.DEMIC (2021)

• Anomaly (2022)

{{Reflist|30em|refs=

{{cite web |publisher=CD Baby |title=Madison Rising by Madison Rising |url=http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/madisonrising3 |accessdate=April 24, 2014}}

{{cite web |publisher=CD Baby |title=The Star Spangled Banner by Madison Rising |url=http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/madisonrising2 |accessdate=April 24, 2014}}

{{cite web |publisher=Pandora Radio |first=Steve |last=Leggett |agency=Rovi Corporation |title=Madison Rising |url=http://www.pandora.com/madison-rising |accessdate=April 24, 2014}}

{{cite news |first=Kerry |last=Pickey |newspaper=The Washington Times |title=Anti-Occupy Wall Street band prohibited from performing in Zuccotti Park |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/watercooler/2011/dec/5/picket-anti-occupy-wall-street-band-prohibited-per/ |date=December 5, 2011 |accessdate=June 13, 2014}}

{{cite news |first=Ryan |last=Faughnder |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |title='Most patriotic band' pens theme for Sarah Palin's new show |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-madison-rising-amazing-america-sarah-palin-20140325,0,3246662.story |date=March 26, 2014}}

{{cite web |work=This Is It Philly |title=Bringing Rock Back to America: Madison Rising |url=http://thisisitphilly.com/bringing-rock-america-madison-rising/ |date=December 17, 2013 |accessdate=September 14, 2015}}

{{cite news |publisher=WPTV |title=Madison Rising performs rock version of 'Star Spangled Banner' at Daytona International Speedway |url=http://www.wptv.com/entertainment/madison-rising-performs-rock-version-of-star-spangled-banner-at-daytona-500-race |date=February 22, 2014 |accessdate=May 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426201958/http://www.wptv.com/entertainment/madison-rising-performs-rock-version-of-star-spangled-banner-at-daytona-500-race |archive-date=April 26, 2014 |url-status=dead }}

{{cite news |first=Timothy |last=Burke |publisher=Deadspin |title="America's Most Patriotic Band" Plays America's Worst Anthem Rendition |url=http://deadspin.com/americas-most-patriotic-band-plays-americas-worst-a-1528647990 |date=February 22, 2014 |accessdate=February 25, 2014}}

{{cite news |first=Nate |last=Scott |work=USA Today |title='Patriotic' band performs spectacularly awful national anthem at Daytona |url=http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/02/madison-rising-nationwide-daytona-national-anthem/ |date=February 22, 2014 |accessdate=February 25, 2014}}

{{cite news |first=Chris |last=Greenberg |work=The Huffington Post |title=Madison Rising Treated Daytona To Possibly The Worst National Anthem Rendition Ever |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/22/madison-rising-national-anthem-worst-daytona_n_4839607.html |date=February 22, 2014 |accessdate=February 26, 2014}}

{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Gant |newspaper=The Daytona Beach News-Journal |title=Band's rockin' anthem hits sour note with some Daytona race fans |url=http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20140222/NASCAR/140229741?Title=Band-s-rockin-anthem-hits-sour-note-with-some-Daytona-race-fans |date=February 14, 2014 |accessdate=June 13, 2014}}

{{cite news|first=Kate |last=Sandich |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |title=Madison Rising's rock-out national anthem at Daytona draws critics |url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/blogs/change-the-world/os-madison-rising-anthem,0,2479313.post |date=February 25, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407080235/http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/blogs/change-the-world/os-madison-rising-anthem%2C0%2C2479313.post |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |accessdate=November 11, 2014 |url-status=dead }}

{{cite news |first=Kathryn |last=Brenzel |title=Band that sang controversial national anthem at Daytona linked to Hoboken |newspaper=The Jersey Journal |publisher=NJ.com |url=http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2014/02/band_that_sang_national_anthem_at_daytona_500_linked_to_hoboken_4.html |date=February 26, 2014 |accessdate=April 24, 2014}}

{{cite news |newspaper=Anderson Observer |title=Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Patriot's Party To Help Vets |url=http://andersonobserver.com/news/2014/3/24/rocky-mountain-elk-foundation-patriots-party-to-help-vets.html |date=March 24, 2014 |accessdate=July 15, 2014}}

{{cite news |first=Ben |last=Jacobs |work=The Daily Beast |title=Meet Madison Rising, the Band Behind Sarah Palin's New Theme Song |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/03/29/meet-madison-rising-the-band-behind-sarah-palin-s-new-theme-song.html |date=March 29, 2014 |accessdate=June 13, 2014}}

{{cite news |first=Keith |last=Rogers |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |title=Bundy supporters party, welcome 'domestic terrorist' label |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nevada/bundy-supporters-party-welcome-domestic-terrorist-label |date=April 18, 2014 |accessdate=April 23, 2014}}

{{Cite web |publisher=The Dennis Prager Show |url=http://www.dennisprager.com/star-spangled-madison-rising/ |title=The Star Spangled Banner by Madison Rising |date=July 4, 2014 |accessdate=October 29, 2014}}

{{cite news |first=Andrew |last=Malcolm |work=Investor's Business Daily |title=Change of Pace: Madison Rising's stirring birthday tribute to Marines |url=http://news.investors.com/politics-andrew-malcolm/111014-725680-madison-rising-marine-corps-birthday-video-semper-fi.htm |date=November 10, 2014 |accessdate=November 11, 2014}}

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• {{official website|www.davebrayusa.com}}
• [http://www.reverbnation.com/madisonrising Madison Rising] at ReverbNation

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Category:American hard rock musical groups

Category:2011 establishments in the United States

Category:Musical groups established in 2011