Madeline Merlo

Madeline Merlo (born February 9, 1994 in Maple Ridge, British Columbia[1]) is a Canadian country pop singer-songwriter. She signed to Open Road Recordings in 2013 and released her debut album, Free Soul, three years later. In 2015, Merlo received the "Rising Star" award from the Canadian Country Music Association. In 2021, she signed with the Nashville-based BBR Music Group.[2]

Madeline Merlo
Background information
Birth nameMadeline Rae Merlo
Born (1994-02-09) February 9, 1994
OriginMaple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Years active2013–present
Labels
Associated actsTim Hicks
Websitemadelinemerlo.com

Personal life

Madeline Merlo has always been surrounded by music. Her father was a funk musician, and the house was often filled with music.[1] She had a desire to be a performer since the first time she sang in front of a crowd of people. In public school, she took part in her school talent show. She sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and after that performance she decided that she wanted to be a singer.[3]

Throughout High School, Merlo played in a band and together they began gigging around. She also continued to hone her vocal skills by performing in musical theatre productions and taking every opportunity she could to further her skills as a performer.[4]

Madeline credits the first concert she ever attended to be the reason she pursued the genre of country music. The first concert she went to was of Canadian country icon Shania Twain. Seeing a successful Canadian woman from a small town gave Merlo the confidence to pursue country music.[5]

Career

Music career

At the age of 17, Before being signed, Madeline kept herself busy by writing music, and recording music with BC-based writer and producer Dan Swinimer.[1] Swinimer signed Madeline to his production company "Manicdown Productions", and they worked together on a rigorous schedule for close to 2 years.

In 2012, Dan invited RGK Entertainment's Ron Kitchener to Vancouver to see Madeline perform at the Railway Club. After this performance, discussions began to sign Madeline to both RGK Entertainment and Open Road Recordings.

In 2013, Madeline was officially signed to RGK Entertainment and Open Road Recordings. A year later in February 2014, she released her debut single, "Sinking Like a Stone" which was produced and co-written by Swinimer.[6] It charted for twenty weeks on the Billboard Canada Country chart, peaking at number 32.[7]

A self-titled extended play was released via Open Road Recordings on July 22, 2014.[8] Her single "Honey Jack" became a national hit across Canada, landing her the opening slot on The Road Trip Tour alongside Dean Brody and Paul Brandt.

In 2015 Madeline Merlo won the CCMA Rising Star Award, and the BCCMA Female Artist of the Year. After those big wins, Madeline released a series of successful singles including "War Paint", "Over and Over", and "Whatcha Wanna Do About It" which entered into the top 10 at Canadian Country Radio. Her debut album Free Soul was released in 2016.

Her single "War Paint" from Free Soul resonated with fans on social media, and was the No. 1 Most Added country song in Canada in its debut week. The song was written from a very personal place. It was in response to the loss of one of her friends to mental illness. She dedicated the song to all those who suffer alone, hoping it might bring them hope, and a will to battle and survive.[3]

In 2017, "Motel Flamingo" was her 4th song to land in the Top 15 at Country Radio – a vibrant, upbeat track produced by Karen Kosowski, and a reflection of Madeline's unique tropical, bohemian vibe.

Her next single "Neon Love" in 2018 also managed to enter the Top 15 at Canadian country radio making it her 5th single to enter in the Too 15.

On April 13, 2020, Madeline won the first episode of the second season of Songland with her song "Champagne Night" written for Lady Antebellum and produced by Shane McAnally. She then released her seventh Top 20 single, "Kiss Kiss".[9]

Acting career

In 2017, Merlo starred alongside Jana Kramer and Sophie Tweed-Simmons in the musical film, Country Crush, which saw her play the lead role of a young woman trying to make it as a country singer. She also did the singing voice of Sonata Dusk in My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Rainbow Rocks.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
2014 My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Rainbow Rocks Sonata Dusk (voice) As singing voice for Maryke Hendrikse's character
2016 Country Crush Nancy Taylor
2020 Songland Herself Episode: "Lady Antebellum"

Discography

Studio albums
Title Details Peak
positions
CAN
[10]
Free Soul 88

Extended plays
Title Details
Madeline Merlo
  • Release date: July 22, 2014
  • Label: Open Road Recordings

Singles
Year Single Peak positions Certifications Album
CAN Country
[7]
2014 "Sinking Like a Stone" 32 Free Soul
"Alive" 42
2015 "Honey Jack" 25
2016 "Whatcha Wanna Do About It" 10
"War Paint" 13
2017 "Over and Over" 13
"Motel Flamingo" 8 TBA
2018 "Neon Love" 11
2019 "Unraveling" 23
"Dear Me" 10
2020 "Kiss Kiss" 13
"It Didn't"[12] 24
"—" denotes a recording that failed to chart.

Christmas singles
Year Single Album
2014 "Jolly Ol' Redneck"[13] Non-album singles
2016 "White Christmas"[14]

Music videos
Year Video Director
2014 "Sinking Like a Stone" Adam Rothlein
"Alive" John "JP" Poliquin
2016 "Whatcha Wanna Do About It" Adam Rothlein
"War Paint" (Unplugged) Rami Mikhail
2017 "Over and Over"
"Crush"
"Motel Flamingo" Jaren Hayman
2018 "Neon Love" Rami Mikhail
2019 "Dear Me" Stephano Barberis
2020 "Kiss Kiss"

Awards and nominations
Year Association Category Result
2015 British Columbia Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year Won [15]
Canadian Country Music Association Rising Star Won [16]
2016
 British Columbia Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year Won [17]
Album of the Year – Free Soul Nominated
Single of the Year – "What Ya Wanna Do About It" Nominated
Video of the Year – "War Paint" Nominated
2017 Western Canadian Music Awards Country Artist of the Year Nominated [18]
Canadian Country Music Association Female Artist of the Year Nominated [19]
2018 Canadian Country Music Association Female Artist of the Year Nominated [20]

References
  1. Zimmer, Eric (March 24, 2014). "Maple Ridge musician chasing her dream". Maple Ridge Times. Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  2. LB, Cantrell (January 20, 2021). "BBR Music Group Signs Madeline Merlo". Music Row Magazine. Retrieved January 21, 2021.
  3. "Five Questions With... Madeline Merlo". FYIMusicNews. April 1, 2017. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  4. "Rising country star in hometown appearance". Maple Ridge News. September 1, 2014. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
  5. Chandler, Justin (August 27, 2018). "Meet Madeline Merlo, the rising star who'll pay tribute to her idol Shania Twain at the CCMAs". CBC Music.
  6. "Madeline Merlo on CBC Music". CBC Music. Archived from the original on March 1, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  7. "Madeline Merlo Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  8. "Madeline Merlo – Madeline Merlo". AllMusic. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  9. Vaughn, Grace. "Madeline Merlo Releases Music Video For 'Kiss Kiss'". Sounds Like Nashville. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  10. "Madeline Merlo Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  11. "Canadian single certifications – Madeline Merlo". Music Canada. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  12. Pape, Hendrik (October 27, 2020). "Madeline Merlo To Drop New Single "It Didn't" on October 28th". Soundcheck Entertainment. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  13. RGK Admin (December 2, 2014). "Sneak Peek: Madeline Merlo's "Jolly Ol' Redneck"". Top Country. TC Inc. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  14. "White Christmas – Single by Madeline Merlo". Open Road Recordings. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
  15. "BCCMA Nominees". Top Country. September 2, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  16. "COMPLETE LIST OF 2015 CCMA AWARD WINNERS". Canadian Country Music Association. September 13, 2015.
  17. "The 2016 BCCMA Final Ballot Nominees ! – Country 107.1". www.country1071.com. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  18. "2017 Western Canadian Music Award Nominees". BreakOut West. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  19. "2017 CCMA AWARD NOMINEES". Canadian Country Music Association. July 12, 2017.
  20. Morawetz, Kate. "2018 CCMA Awards Nominees". Retrieved April 7, 2020.
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