Madeline Merlo -Grand Opening

Madeline Merlo -Grand Opening

Madeline Merlo is kicking the doors down for opening night at the brand new Stoney’s North Forty on Saturday, October 7!

Madeline Merlo

Raised in Maple Ridge, British Columbia near Vancouver, Madeline Merlo spent her childhood riding horses with a natural playground of the ocean, woods, mountains, waterfalls, and glaciers as a backdrop. The setting contributed to her musical influences of Motown, Soul, Rhythm & Blues as well as Country music’s strong female voices, listening to artists like Etta James and Aretha Franklin as well as Shania Twain, Dolly, Martina McBride and Faith Hill.

A lyric-driven artist, Merlo zeroed in on building her own immediately recognizable sound. Blending fresh and cool melodies with catchy, relatable lyrics balanced out with traditional instruments like the steel, dobro, and banjo, her sound pays homage to where she grew up, while delicately layering iridescent beats with her classic roots.

After being discovered on YouTube and signing her first record deal at the age of 18, radio success, tour dates and awards quickly followed, being honored with the Canadian Country Music Association’s Rising Star Award in 2015.

In 2020, Merlo won the season two premiere episode of the NBC songwriting reality series Songland, penning the upbeat and infectious “Champagne Night” for Lady A. The song was a three-week No. 1 that opened doors in Nashville, led to a record deal with BBR Music Group and won Merlo (along with her “Champagne Night” co-writers) the 2021 Canadian Country Music Association Award for Songwriter of the Year.

“Growing up, I never won any competitions,” the award-winning singer/songwriter recalls smiling. “I was always cast in the chorus, so when I won Songland, I was floored! But I think that has a lot to do with my work ethic. It wasn’t all on a platter for me. I’ve always had that spirit of something to prove. Even when things are going great, I still have that fire – I always have.”

Following her monumental win, Merlo released her vibrant four-track EP Slide on September 23, 2022 via BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records. Wanting to be a source of light in a dark world, Merlo’s upcoming music doesn’t come without a deeper message. “I’m really passionate about the female characters in my songs,” Merlo explained. “I want her to be strong, brave, and honest. More importantly, I want her to be powerful.”