artist Maverick Judson

Maverick Judson isn't your typical rising pop star. Sure, he's got a mind for melody and a voice like velvet. He embodies rhythm, and performs with unyielding passion. But Maverick – that's his real name, by the way – is much more than just another talented performer. He's got an unstoppable drive to take his music to the top.

Hailing from northwestern Ontario, Maverick became a force in the local music scene with his lightning-fast fingers on the guitar, his deft touch as a songwriter, and his knock-you-on-your-ass vocals. Not only did he grow a passionate following for his music, but also for his business acumen, setting up shows and concerts for himself and other local artists. Right from the start of his music career, Maverick was a tour de force, pulling himself up by the bootstraps to get his music to the masses.

His hard work speaks for itself. Maverick is the only performer in history to perform and receive a perfect score for an original song in the Quest For The Best singing competition in Fort Frances, Ontario. His performance inspired hit country songwriter Julian Austin to exclaim he “loved what he heard!”

In 2009, Maverick released his first album, "You." Two singles from the album, “Dot Dot Dot...” and “Me” received prominent airplay on radio stations across Ontario. Less than two weeks after the album's release, hundreds of copies of the disc were scooped up by local fans -- they clamoured to get their hands on MavvyJ's debut. The single “Me” received placement in a promotional video for a local business, while “Paradise” was used in a community video for local youth programs. The success of his self-produced debut album culminated in Maverick opening for Canadian music stars Swollen Members in late 2009.

In the summer of 2011, Maverick received his first London Music Award as London Ontario's "Pop Artist of the Year," after three years of stunning crowds with his live performances. Maverick is working on his follow-up album with producer J.D. Beatz, coming in 2011, that'll include a smokin' hot club remix of Lady Antebellum's hit single “Need You Now.”

Until then, you can keep up with MavvyJ by following him on Twitter @maverickjudson, and at his web site, www.maverickjudson.com. Check out his live performances, his first album available on iTunes, as well as the video single for “So Cold” on YouTube.

-Bio credits to Matt Dusenbury (twitter: @MattDusenbury) and Lincoln Dunn (twitter: @Liquado)