Canadian country music singer-songwriter Madeline Merlo took a giant step in her career last night when she appeared on NBC's Songland, ultimately winning the night with Lady Antebellum choosing to record her song, Champagne Night (available now as a single).
As one of four songwriters on the episode pitching their tracks to Lady A, Ryan Tedder, Ester Dean, and her eventual producer/co-writer Shane McAnally, the Maple Ridge, BC native shined on screen. The energy and enthusiasm we've come to know and love over the last few years were on full display during the episode, and as Canadian country music fans, and as an outlet that has covered Madeline's live shows, sat down with her for interviews, and watched her career progress, we're very happy to see this unfold for her.
Note: Congratulations as well to Madeline Merlo's co-writers on the original version of the song ( I'll Drink To That), Patricia Conroy, David "Dwave" Thomson, and Tina Parol.
In case you missed it, watch Madeline perform I'll Drink To That in her pitch to the band and producers.
Madeline Merlo has been on our map since Sinking Like A Stone caught our attention from her 2014 debut EP, and when Honey Jack was released in 2015 she became a Canadian country radio staple, taking the song to #25 on the charts, and earning herself an early fan favourite.
She also parlayed that early success and exposure into the 2015 Canadian Country Music Association's Rising Star award and has added nominations for Female Artist of the Year in 2017 and 2018.
But for all of the great things she's accomplished and the smiles we've seen on her face as she's performed on some of the biggest stages in Canada, there was something extra special about what we saw on Songland.
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Related: Neon Love, Madeline Merlo at Boots & Hearts 2018 + InterviewPart of it is the pride we feel in watching a Canadian artist/songwriter make a splash in America, in the bright lights, with the biggest stars and proving that she belongs and that Canada has this talent. Part of it is happiness for Madeline and thinking back to the very first time we talked to her in a small room at The Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto. It was great to watch, great to feel, and great to mark down as a huge moment in her young career.
What was great about the episode as a fan was watching the song grow and change over the course of the 43-minute viewing time. From the pitch of I'll Drink To That to the presentation of the updated track, Champagne Night, we watched Lady Antebellum, McAnally, Tedder, and Dean all put their fingers prints on the song with ideas and enthusiasm. That's not to say that they weren't excited about the other songs of course, but in the end, this night belonged to Madeline Merlo, this is her spotlight.
There was a fun moment, a short spot when Madeline watched and listened to Lady Antebellum riff on the lyrics with the producers and she covered her face and said, "I'm gonna cry." You could see the magnitude of the moment on her face. It was a special moment of TV.
It was also awesome to watch Madeline with master hit-maker Shane McAnally as they worked on the song. It's almost impossible to imagine what that experience was like for her as they came up with Champagne Night for her to perform as her second pitch.
Watch Madeline Merlo perform her version of Champagne Night.
After the performance, all that was left was for the band and panel to pick the song - and they did, which brings us up to date.
Since the episode aired on Monday night, Lady Antebellum's single has been released, two videos (Lady A and Songland) have hit YouTube and the song has gone to #1 on iTunes Country Chart. And it hasn't been 24 hours yet.
Hit play on the video to watch Lady Antebellum's music video for Champagne Night, check out the Champagne Night playlist we've put together below that and stay tuned for new music from Madeline Merlo, including her new single Kiss Kiss on April 24, 2020.
Feature image via YouTube/ edited by thereviewsarein
