Madeline Merlo

Madeline Rae Merlo (born February 9, 1994) 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, joining their imprint Wheelhouse Records, and later being re-assigned to Stoney Creek Records.

Early life Merlo grew up in Maple Ridge, British Columbia. Growing up, her house was often filled with music.

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.

Merlo credits seeing Shania Twain at the first concert she ever attended to be the reason she pursued the genre of country music. Seeing a successful Canadian woman from a small town gave Merlo the confidence to pursue her career.

Career

Music career 2011–2017: Early career and Free Soul At the age of 17 before she was signed, Merlo wrote songs and recorded music with BC-based writer and producer Dan Swinimer. It charted for twenty weeks on the Billboard Canada Country chart, peaking at number 32. Her single "Honey Jack" became a hit in Canada, landing her the opening slot on The Road Trip Tour alongside Dean Brody and Paul Brandt. In 2015, Merlo won the CCMA Rising Star Award, and the BCCMA Female Artist of the Year. After those big wins, Madeline released a series of 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 garnered fan support on social media, and was the No. 1 Most Added country song in Canada in its debut week. It was written 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. and "It Didn't".

In 2021, Merlo signed her debut U.S. record deal with BBR Music Group in Nashville. She also provided backing vocals on Cole Swindell's single "She Had Me at Heads Carolina. In 2023, she released the single "Tim + Faith". The song would become her first top five hit on the Billboard Canada Country chart. The song was included on her extended play One House Down (from the Girl Next Door), which was released on October 11, 2024, via BBR's Stoney Creek Records. She was nominated for "Female Artist of the Year" at the 2024 Canadian Country Music Awards.

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 Peakpositions CAN Free Soul Release date: April 29, 2016 Label: Open Road 88

Extended plays Title Details Madeline Merlo Release date: July 22, 2014 Label: Open Road Slide Release date: September 23, 2022 Label: Wheelhouse One House Down (From the Girl Next Door) Release date: October 11, 2024 Label: Stoney Creek

Singles

MC: Gold 2019 "Unraveling" 23 "Dear Me" 10 2020 "Kiss Kiss" 13 "It Didn't" 17

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" Rami Mikhail 2017 "Over and Over" "Crush" "Motel Flamingo" Jaren Hayman 2018 "Neon Love" Rami Mikhail 2019 "Dear Me" Stephano Barberis 2020 "Kiss Kiss" Brian K. Vaughn 2021 "It Didn't" The Edde Brothers 2022 "Slide" Preston Leatherman

Awards and nominations