Contact: Alter Ego Promotions P: 02 9316 4742 M: 0403 869 364 E: alteregoprom@gmail.com W: www.merilynsteele.com

A soulful and versatile vocal style, vivacious personality with heartfelt songs that evoke every emotion - that’s the magic of Merilyn!

After the success and string of awards that came with her debut CD This Passion comes the much anticipated follow up album Extraordinary Daze. With her latest offering comes both a brand new sound and fresh new image for Merilyn. This album is the result of a journey of events, emotions and places travelled. The new album covers contraversial topics like the story of Hermannsburg in NT about the first Aboriginal mission in Australia and her views on the politics of war in another.

Sydney born and bred, it’s hard to figure where Merilyn’s influence to be a singer/songwriter came from. Although both her Mum and Grandmother played piano, it was mostly for a hobby. It was Merilyn’s Dad who bought her first guitar when she was just 12 and began taking her to music lessons. From there her love for music developed. The mandolin is her latest muse and Merilyn is already incorporating this instrument into her shows and is learning about Bluegrass style music and its roots.

Growing up her musical tastes were influenced by her parents who were fans of Johnny Cash, Linda Ronstadt, Lynn Anderson and Dolly Parton. Today her influences are more contemporary and include Kasey Chambers, Shania Twain, Bonnie Raitt and the Dixie Chicks.

Merilyn has appeared at many festivals including Tamworth annually and others such as Kempsey Trucking festival, Wauchope, the Heritage Miners festival Port Kembla, Blue Water festival at Port Stephens, Tooleybuc and Barham Stampede.  

She’s been instructed by some of the best in the industry including songwriting workshops with Kasey Chambers, Bill Chambers, Garth Porter, Graeme Connors, Beccy Cole and Catherine Britt to name a few. Merilyn has been support act to entertainment greats like Lucky Grills, Chad Morgan and Normie Rowe.

Merilyn has a driving passion for her music and a craving to perform. Particularly, she loves the feedback and buzz she gets from a live audience. An experienced performer, she has worked successfully for many years with her duo around Sydney, the east coast and festivals.

She has now formed her own band to enable her to showcase her songs and talents and is eager to tour the country and share her songs with audiences throughout Australia and beyond. Merilyn and the band released their first videoclip on CMC in June which has sparked much interest from both media and fans alike. Merilyn is currently writing new material for her next forthcoming album forecast for release later in the year.

Career Milestones:

2011 - Released single on the Hillcrest label to Canada, the US and Europe

2010 – Released final single to radio and videoclip to CMC of Driven off Extraordinary Daze album

2009 – Released videoclip of Information Blues receiving airplay on pay TV CMC & Channel 44 (TVS)

2009 – Top 5 finalist for Lyrics Only and Contemporary Song of the Year with Katherine CM Awards NT for The Spirit of Hermannsburg

2009 – Top 5 finalist for Comedy/Novelty song Katherine CM Awards NT for Information Blues.

2009 - Nominated finalist with Tamworth Songwriters Assn for Children’s Song of the Year with If I Were a Bird

2007 - Winner - Female Vocalist of The Year – Horsham CM Awards, VIC

2007 - Finalist for Best Group/Duo, Horsham CM Awards VIC for When It Rains

2006 – Top 50 MusicOz finalist (#49) with Forever for Best Country Artist of The Year

2005 – Top 100 MusicOz  finalist (#84) with You Don't Wanna Know

2005 – 2nd place Finalist for Independent Artists EP Award, Tas & NZ for EP Forever

2005 - Semi-finalist for both Ten Less Candles & Charades with Tamworth Songwriters Assn in Pro Section

2004 – 3rd Place winner in Open Section Tas.NZ Songwriters Awards for the title song, This  Passion.

2003/04 – Twice State Finalist in the NSW ‘Champion of Champions’ quest, Steel City CM Club, Newcastle

"Well crafted songs….you’ll understand why Merilyn Steele is more than just another girl singer." - Denise Torenbeek, Country Update.

“A wonderfully positive new album…great song writing and Merilyn’s vocals are strong and vibrant as ever.” - Deb Minter, Capital News.