Dan Marshall Opens Up About The Meaning Behind ‘Middle Man,’ His Artistic Evolution, And What’s Ahead [Exclusive]

There’s no denying that Dan Marshall has found his voice as a songwriter. While he first gained attention performing cover songs on American Idol and around Nashville bars, his original music is where his authenticity really shines, most notably on his latest release, “Middle Man.”

The rising singer/songwriter first started playing piano at 12 before teaching himself guitar at 18 while living at home in Virginia. This led him to start sharing his original music with the world in 2021, and by 2023 he was generating one million views on TikTok with songs like “Heaven’s Honky Tonk.”

A former Virginia Tech football player and Top 10 finalist on American Idol, Marshall decided 2022 would be the year that the finally moved to Nashville to kickstart his dreams. Without knowing anyone in town, he managed to carve out a place in the songwriting community, leading him to sign with Jonas Publishing last year.

Now, Marshall is showcasing the work he’s been putting in behind the scenes, using a steady stream of new singles to “test the waters,” shape his sound, and pave the way for a larger project he hopes to release in the near future.

“Middle Man,” which follows his first release of 2026, “This is Heaven” was penned by Marshall with Walker Wilson and John Stephens. The mid-tempo blue-collar anthem carries immense pride as he champions the people who keep things going in small-town America by wearing their “boots to work” and then “clean ’em up for church,” emphasizing both hard work and traditional values.

The song feels honest and gritty, while Marshall’s warm, steady vocals display a powerful message about staying proud of where you come from and the life you’ve built.

Keep reading the exclusive Q&A below to learn more about “Middle Man,” the growth Marshall has seen in himself, and what fans can expect to see next from him.

Where did the idea for “Middle Man” come from?

Well, I mean, the guys that I wrote this song with, first of all… John Stevens and Walker Wilson, they’re both small town country boys and just great dudes. But John brought in the title, “Middle Man” and for whatever reason, he started explaining it to me and it was an idea that really lit me on fire. I think I knew exactly what to do with it and we all kind of gained from our own personal experiences. A lot of times that’s what writers do is they pull from their own lives and man, we wrote a hammer in my opinion and I just fell in love with it. I sent it to a bunch of people and it got a really good reaction and I was like, “Man, maybe we got something here.” And it was probably two years in the making. We wrote that song and just kind of sat on it and my publisher, Leslie DiPiero, I sent it to her and she was like, “Yeah, this is a huge song. We love it. ” And that’s always encouraging because not every one’s a winner. Oftentimes, especially in this business, you hear “no” a lot. So it was just great. 

Why was this a message that was important for you to share? How do you personally connect with it? 

I would say that a “middle man” is like somebody who maybe doesn’t have as much cultural influence in our country as they should. They are somebody that wakes up every day. They’re the unsung heroes. The guys that farm, the guys that throw on steel toed boots and welders and guys that live out in the middle of the country and not just guys, right? It’s just that kind of people. They’re not first or last, low or high class. So I just thought that was important to talk about and that’s something that’s close to me.

How have fans been reacting to this particular track?

It’s been really positive. I think we’re still just kind of getting there on what exactly it is that makes it special, the whole project. And Brandon Hood was behind this one and he’s going to be behind the next two singles and he’s just a phenomenal producer here in town. I think it was an overwhelmingly positive reaction, I’m happy about it.

What are you working toward right now? It sounds like a larger project may be on the way.

Well, we’re pushing out singles about every six weeks and just kind of testing the waters and see what happens. I was lucky enough to cut three songs at Castle Studios a while back with Mr. Brandon Hood and we chose the three best songs in my catalog and three songs that I can relate to and that we think other people would like. And man, we’re just going to do our best to market the s**t out of it and hopefully something comes out of it, but we’re going to take a big swing here.

How does “Middle Man” set the tone for the type of songs that we’re going to be hearing from you this year and the direction you’re going in?

I grew up on country radio and it was really, I just wanted that early 2000s kind of sonic sound and Brandon really understood that. There’s so many aspects of country music that I’ve fallen in love with all the way from ’80s, Shenandoah to Beach Country, Kenny Chesney. If it’s great music, I’m going to listen to it. And so trying to find a way to encompass the things I love and exclude the things I know I’m not, I think it’s been the challenge, but I think it’s been really exciting and we’re getting pretty good, pretty close. 

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How do you feel like you have grown as an artist in your sound and your songwriting since your early days in Nashville?

Oh my gosh. I’ve evolved in every possible way. I first started doing music. I mean, it was just like playing bars and breweries and stuff around where I’m from, but then I went on American Idol and I thought, “Oh wow, well this is what it’s supposed to be like. ” And when that journey ended and I packed my things and I drove to Nashville, I found out real quick like, “Hey, you’re just singing cover songs. You got to learn how to write music. You got to learn how to perform.” And that’s kind of been the long pole in the tent and things that I’ve been working on, trying to work on those weak points. But I’m happy to say that I’ve really fallen in love with the writing process and if it’s anything that excites me and gives me serotonin in some way, I’m going to love writing it and I’m going to dig deep. 

You mentioned your Idol days. Since the most recent season just ended, what goes through your head each time you see a new round of contestants, knowing what it’s like to be in their shoes?

I’m excited for them. I’m super nervous for them because I know it was a really cool experience and I think there were a lot of great singers, especially on this past season…The girl who just won, she was amazing and the runner up. But I feel like when you can sing that good, maybe you don’t even need to learn how to write. People just hand you great songs. I’m excited. I’m nervous for them, but it’s really cool to watch. 

Are there any lessons that you took from that part of your journey that you’re now still incorporating into this chapter of your career? 

Yeah, I would say just don’t do things because you’re told to do them because if it doesn’t sit right in your soul or your heart, there’s a reason why. And if you’re not comfortable doing it, then don’t. I’d say that’s the only way you can stay authentically yourself, especially if you’re looking to be an artist in country. 

Another tool that has obviously been very important for you and a lot of others is social media. Talk about having this platform and just the impact that it’s made on your career.

I wasn’t in country music the old way, but what I was told was there was four or five major labels and they were pretty much the gatekeepers of music in general, which is fine. That’s the old way. But one of the wonderful things about social media is it’s given access to anybody, just somebody like me who can just wake up one day and just be like, “You know what? Screw it. I’m going to post a cover. I’m going to post an original song.” And it does well and that’s encouraging. But 20 years ago, that wasn’t possible. So I think it’s been a wonderful tool and I would say consistent posting is one of the good things. And you just find something people connect with and you just lean into it and keep rolling. 

What do you have to look forward to in terms of shows this year? What can fans expect from you? 

I play a bunch of shows here in Nashville, Tennessee. We’re just starting low and slow, but if you guys want to come see me, just check on my website or check my socials. But I’m always playing in Midtown on the weekends and just having a good time keeping my chops up and we’re looking to see what the future holds.

Fans can keep up with Dan Marshall on Instagram.