Madeline Merlo has always been surrounded by music. Her father was a funk musician, and the house was often filled with music. 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. 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. 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.
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. 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. It charted for twenty weeks on the Billboard Canada Country chart, peaking at number 32. A self-titled extended play was released via Open Road Recordings on July 22, 2014. 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 CCMARising 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. 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 top 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.
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 in .
