Music is all about connecting with fans and giving them an experience. Most audiences are happy when they leave a show and the artist plays their favorite songs off the new album. However, fans leave powerhouse entertainer Kristen Merlin’s concerts feeling energized and like they made a new friend in her and the community her music creates. This Nashville-based country-pop artist works hard to move the masses with music and finds several ways to stay connected with her audiences. During her time in quarantine, Merlin often found herself utilizing the Live feature on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Merlin is altering the way we hear country music with the likes of Dan+Shay and Kane Brown. She has a timbre so unique and unmatched, such as Reba McEntire, Rascal Flatts, and Jennifer Nettles. Both Kristian Bush and Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland noticed this about Merlin and invited her on stage with them in Las Vegas to duet their hit song “Baby Girl”. Kristen has also had the pleasure of joining Kellie Pickler, Bryan White, Ty Herndon, and Shakira on stage.
In 2014, Kristen found herself performing for millions of fans on NBC’s Emmy Award-winning show The Voice. During this time, Kristen’s electrifying personality and angelic vocals left team leader, Shakira, and major Merlin fan, Jennifer Nettles, with one word to describe each performance: “Beautiful”. During her time on the show, her covers from each week consistently topped the iTunes Country Chart. The star’s talent carried her all the way through to the top five Semi-Finals and then America voted for Kristen to join The Voice tour following her season.
Following The Voice tour, Kristen released Boomerang which peaked at #2 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart. With the EP’s success, Kristen hit the road once again finding herself in a variety of venues across the United States. While the location is ever-changing, from stadium lights to college campuses, the one thing that remains the same is the way she is willing to share her story, giving outsiders a place to belong. Her continuous efforts to perform and connect with many has earned her various accolades including APCA’s (Association of Promotion for Campus Activities) Female Solo Artist of the Year three times running (2015, 2018, 2020) as well as Entertainer of the Year (2018).
Kristen Merlin is an artist for all, giving them a place to call home, no matter how they identify or view themselves. She is fiercely loyal to all those around her, as she strives to show others the path to self-empowerment and love. With her charismatic personality, Kristen has proven time and time again, she is a unique artist to keep an eye, or rather an ear on, throughout her journey to the top.